Donnarumma and Bonucci shine under the Wembley arch

PLAYER RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma and Leonardo Bonucci shine under the Wembley arch as England snap under the pressure of penalties as cold substitutes can’t convert

• England fell agonisingly short after failing to score their last three penalties  
• Luke Shaw put the Three Lions ahead early on before Leonard Bonucci’s leveller
• The game went to penalties, with Andrea Belotti blinking first in the shootout
• However, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka then failed to score 
• Sportsmail provides ratings for both sides after a memorable night at Wembley 
• Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here

England fell at the last at Wembley on Sunday night as they lost their first-ever European Championship final and Italy won their first since 1968.

The Three Lions took the lead inside two minutes after Luke Shaw converted Kieran Trippier’s sumptuous cross before Leonardo Bonucci scrambled the ball home from close range after pinball in the box to equalise midway through the second half. 

The Azzurri had 66% possession and had 19 of the 25 shots, but couldn’t find a winner after extra time. 

Bukayo Saka is hugged by Gareth Southgate after his saved penalty handed the win to Italy

Jordan Pickford pulled off a brilliant save to deny Jorginho – but his efforts proved fruitless

The Azzurri celebrate after winning their first European Championships final since 1968

Andrea Belotti’s penalty miss handed England the advantage, but misses by Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho saw the pendulum swung the other way. 

A brilliant Jordan Pickford save from Jorginho gave Gareth Southgate’s men the chance to force sudden death in the shootout, but Bukayo Saka’s effort was palmed away by Gianluigi Donnarumma as the life was sucked out of the national stadium and Roberto Mancini’s men went berserk. 

Sportsmail‘s SAMI MOKBEL provides player ratings for both players from an action-packed and momentous evening. 

Jordan Pickford – Hadn’t conceded a goal in open play heading into the final but looked worryingly nervy in the quarter and semi finals. The Everton man made two crucial stops to deny Insigne and Chiesa and two more in the shoot-out. Unlucky to be on losing team. 8.5

Kyle Walker – Was magnificent in Wednesday’s titanic win over Denmark in his conventional right back role – but for the second time in the tournament was deployed as a central defender. Not that it appeared to fluster the defender one iota. 7.5

John Stones – The unsung hero of England’s tournament. Wouldn’t have been in the squad if the Euros had gone ahead as scheduled last year. But what a turnaround for club and country. His distribution from central defence is amongst the best in Europe. The coolest of customers. 8

Harry Maguire – Many questioned the logic of Southgate including the Manchester United captain in his squad given the ankle injury that ravaged the end of his domestic season. Was he fit? Would he even play? They’re eating their words now. Started shakily but was a colossus by the end. Booked. 8

Kieran Trippier – The shock selection decision of the final. But he never lets England or Southgate down. This was a night for experience and guile – the Atletico Madrid defender showed all that and more. A brilliant cross to set-up England’s opener. 7

Kalvin Phillips – England’s very own Duracell bunny. He hasn’t stopped running since kick-off against Croatia on June 13. Every blade of grass covered, every sinew in his body strained. And to think he has just one season of Premier League football under his belt. Immense. 8

Declan Rice – The West Ham midfielder is destined for the very top. Has offered England’s defence valuable protection throughout the tournament and played with maturity beyond his 22 years. Produced the performance of a lifetime on the biggest night of his young career. 8.5

Luke Shaw – The breakthrough star of England’s tournament. Entered the tournament with many believing he’d hardly get a kick but he’s emerged as one of the team’s most vital components. A night he will never, ever forget. What a night to score your first international goal. 8.5

Mason Mount – Southgate loves him, Steve Holland loves him, Thomas Tuchel loves. England supporters have never been entirely convinced, but he’s had an excellent tournament. Perhaps not the impact in attack he’d have liked but his diligence in helping England’s defenders was excellent. 7

Harry Kane – After a below par group stage, the captain promised us he’d peak in the knockout games. He delivered, like he always does. It’s incredible to think there were calls for him to be dropped. Inevitably involved in England’s opener and one countless free kicks. 7.5

Raheem Sterling – Not only England’s player of the tournament but the entire tournament’s. Been scintillating from start to finish. Goals, assists and pure electricity. The Italians were absolutely petrified of him – and the forward knew it too as he took every opportunity to run at their defence. 8.5

Subs:

Bukayo Saka (Trippier 71) – One of the biggest plusses to emerge out of the tournament for Southgate and England but it will take a long time for the Arsenal youngster to get over this. We should applaud his bravery in the shoot-out – although he won’t care about that right now. 6

Jordan Henderson (Rice 74) – Had his fitness issues heading into he tournament and has been forced to play a largely peripheral role but has proved a valuable player on the pitch during the knockout stages. Also a massive contribution off the pitch. Offered leadership and control last night. 6.5

Jack Grealish (Mount 100) – Many will say he has been underused by Southgate but the fact the England manager brought him on underlines just how much he trusts the Aston Villa man. His introduction brought huge applause and had a dangerous goalbound extra time effort blocked. 7

Marcus Rashford (Henderson 119) – Come on during the closing stages of extra time – incredibly at right-back – with a view to taking a penalty and missed it. Went into the tournament with fitness issues and may need surgery this summer. That prevented him playing a more substantial role in the tournament. 4

Jadon Sancho (Walker 119) – Would have wanted the ground to swallow him up after his penalty miss. One of the heroes of that epic England performance against Ukraine in Rome. But he hasn’t played very much other than that. Will want to forget this night was quickly as possible. 4

Subs: not used: Johnstone, Ramsdale, Bellingham, James, Coady, Mings, Calvert-Lewin.

Gareth Southgate: A true national hero. England have a national football team to fear – and it’s largely down to him. He watched his team agonisingly fall at the final hurdle but he – and we – should be so proud of what they have achieved. 7.5

ITALY (4-3-3)

Gianluigi Donnarumma – Life comes at you quick sometimes. Conceding inside the opening three minutes certainly wasn’t in the script for the Paris Saint Germain bound goalkeeper but he emerged as his team’s hero saving three in the shoot-out. 9.5

Giovanni Di Lorenzo – A rabbit caught in the headlines in the opening three minutes as Shaw steamed past him to fire England ahead and send Wembley into an absolutely frenzy. Looked a nervous wreck. 6

Leonardo Bonucci – Looked close to tears during the national anthems and probably wanted to cry as England stormed into an early lead. But the veteran central defender composed himself to score Italy’s crucial equaliser. Booked. 9

Giorgio Chiellini – Such a character, but you wonder if it’s all a mechanism to disguise any nerves. Cajoled and encouraged his players when the game threatened to run away from Italy. His vast experience told eventually. Booked. 8.5

Emerson Palmieri – The Chelsea left-back has been thrust into the business end of Italy’s tournament after Leonardo Spinazzola ruptured his Achilles. Crucially lost Trippier for England’s opener – but proved a willing runner down England’s right. 7

Nicolo Barella – Was chasing shadows during the first 20 minutes as England threatened to steamroller Italy, but eventually gained a foothold in the game. The least effective of Italy’s central midfield triumvirate. Booked. 6

Jorginho – The heartbeat of Italy’s midfield. The Chelsea star has been one of the stars of the tournament and despite an early blow to the knee he oozed control and poise in the heat of battle. Booked. 8.5

Marco Veratti – Started slowly, but once he got into the swing of things he emerged as the best player on the pitch. Dictated the flow of Italy’s game from midfield. Dripping in class. A terrific footballer. 9

Federico Chiesa – One powerful run through the heart of England’s midfield characterised the Italian forward’s talents. Has been a joy to watch during the tournament. The Juventus forward has a massive future ahead of him. 8

Ciro Immobile – Found himself dropping deeper and deeper as Italy struggled to get the ball to their lone striker. He kept England’s centre-halves occupied but got little change of them during a frustrating night before being hooked. 6

Lorenzo Insigne – Small in stature but was a significant presence in Italy’s attack. Seemed the most likely to make things happen for his team, even in the first-half when they struggled to lay a glove on England. Booked. 8.5

Subs: Cristante 7 (Barella 55); Berardi 7 (Immobile 55); Bernardeschi (Chiesa 86); Belotti (Insigne 91); Locatelli (Veratti 96); Florenzi (Palmieri 118)

Not used: Sirigu, Meret, Pessina, Aceri, Bastoni, Florenzi, Toloi.

Roberto Mancini: Italian football was on its knees when he took the reins three years ago. Now they are champions of Europe. They’ll be one of the favourites in Qatar for next year’s World Cup. What an impact. 9

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (NED) — Let plenty go when other officials would have blown. A big call not to award Raheem Sterling a penalty in the second half but probably got that decision just about right. 7

Share this article

Source: Read Full Article