Euro 2020: England haunted by scourge of penalties
It’s not coming home, not yet. England gave everything in this tournament, but were bedevilled by an old problem.
It’s not coming home, not yet. England gave everything in this tournament, but were bedevilled by an old problem, by penalties, the scourge of Gareth Southgate’s life in European Championships. Misses by three substitutes, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, cost England dear. It was brutal, as the years of hurt continue.
From the start of the evening “It’s coming home” had reverberated around the ground, intensifying when Luke Shaw gave England such a spectacular early lead. All those heading up Wembley Way, keeping a wary eye out for flying flares and cans, all the while lifting their feet from a pavement coated in beer, knew the history, and all the years of hurt.
From Florence in 1968 to Moscow in 2018, via Mexico City, Turin, Saint-Etienne, Bloemfontein, and too many other scenes of suffering, England have been constantly denied. That is why this rare shot at glory stirred so many people, including some who tried to storm the stadium. England really have the best of fans and the worst, boors with beers.
Few countries have found such varied means to end interest in a competition, including stomach cramps and metatarsals, the defiance of a “clown” goalkeeper, the Hand of God, missed penalties at six tournaments, long throws and even a wink. Lord Nelson’s boys have taken a hell of a beating too often. Whether Gerd Muller in 1970 or Thomas Muller in 2010, England have been mullered for too long. So that is why Shaw’s exquisite half-volley after 1min 56sec meant so much. It meant hope.
This was the chance of liberation from the pain of the past. Southgate had sought to confront Italy’s myriad strengths by reverting to a more cautious wing-back system that had proved so successful against Germany. Kieran Trippier came in on the right with Bukayo Saka missing out. And Trippier justified his place within two minutes. After Harry Maguire made up for conceding a corner by clearing well, England countered with pace and purpose. Raheem Sterling challenged for the ball, heading it back to Mason Mount, who played it to the left to Shaw. England really accelerated now. Shaw, who was to enjoy the half of his life, advanced before clipping the ball inside to his captain.
Harry Kane played such a magnificent role, immediately racing forward with the ball towards the halfway line, head up, checking out options. He swiftly bent the ball at speed into the path of Trippier, who was hurtling upfield on the right. Kyle Walker played his part, sprinting past on the outside, stretching and confusing Italy’s defence. England were flying into the area, almost matching the vapour trails that hung over the arch after the Red Arrows’ fly-past. Here was the Redemption Arrows, fired up to atone for history’s anguish and absolutely flying.
Trippier went long, lifting his cross over Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Italy were sucked in, shuttling across towards Trippier, opening up space for Shaw, who was arriving at speed. Shaw has experienced some tough moments in his career, and was close to losing his leg after that horrendous break against PSV Eindhoven six years ago. He was questioned harshly by Jose Mourinho during his days as Manchester United manager and more recently as a pundit.
So this was the most special of moments. When Shaw needed his technique to be at its very best, he delivered. He met the ball with his left foot on the half-volley, unhesitatingly, emphatically. Before Gianluigi Donnarumma could flinch, Shaw had rammed the ball in off the post from eight yards. The affectionate social media nickname of Shawberto Carlos suddenly seemed appropriate.
The collective exultation that followed felt a roar 55 years in the building. The majority of the supporters were now standing, some in the aisles, some finding their seats occupied. Any pretence at social distancing disappeared. People hugged, fell forward over seats, screaming with joy. They believed. Up in the smart seats, Tom Cruise and David Beckham fist-bumped.
The 8000 Italians behind Donnarumma’s goal were stunned. Before their team began regaining some composure and attacking intent through Lorenzo Insigne, Italy’s fans momentarily fell quiet. The banner proclaiming “Football’s coming Rome” disappeared from view for a while. The man dressed as the Pope looked like he had smoke coming from his ears. It was not meant to be like this, especially on this historic date, July 11, the day when Italy won the World Cup in 1982. Italy were flustered. Marco Verratti was hounded by Kalvin Phillips. Insigne was harried by Trippier and Walker. Chiellini and Bonucci could not decide whether to stick or twist as Kane dropped off, looking to unleash the pace of Sterling and Shaw, Trippier and Walker.
Italy gradually responded. Blue waves began flowing towards England’s goal, but crashed into two rocks called Maguire and John Stones. England would not yield. Southgate’s 3-4-3 was working superbly, also with Sterling on the right, worrying Emerson. Declan Rice was immense in the centre, even adding deftness to his defence with a dribble down the left.
England had to hold their nerve. They started the second half with real discipline, the outstanding Shaw blocking Di Lorenzo’s cross. Kane, again deep, and again taking charge, dribbled forward and was stopped only by Nicolo Barella’s foul. England’s captain led by example, tirelessness personified. Kane chased back 50 yards with Federico Chiesa, and when the right-sided attacker lifted the cross to the far post, Walker had read the danger expertly and headed back to Jordan Pickford.
Rice shimmied past Barella, who was swiftly replaced by Bryan Cristante after 54 minutes. Ciro Immobile also departed, replaced by Domenico Berardi. Roberto Mancini was clearly frustrated by his attack. Insigne pushed through the middle and soon drew a save from Pickford.
Mancini’s changes worked. Chiesa, coming in off the left, working the ball on to his right foot, unleashed a low shot that seemed destined for the England net. The 8000 Italians, including the replica Pope, leant forward, trying to entice the ball into the goal. Suddenly, the stretching, athletic Pickford appeared, pushing the ball away with his left hand.
Italy were dominating possession, eliciting constant boos from the England fans, and even though Stones’s header was tipped over by Donnarumma, Italy came again, devastatingly after 67 minutes. Berardi flicked a corner on, Verratti’s header was kept out by Pickford via a post but there was Bonucci, ramming the ball in from close range. All the hope engendered by the first half evaporated. Italy were rampant.
Southgate acted, removing Trippier for Saka and then Rice for Jordan Henderson.
Henderson was required to bring some control and composure. Chiesa limped away, after a fair challenge from Walker, and was replaced by Federico Bernardeschi. The game appeared to be drifting towards extra time. Sterling, hitherto quiet, charged into the area but was seen out by the imperious Bonucci. Six minutes were indicated, partly because of a pitch invader who took the stewards an age to snare. This was not a great night for Wembley’s security staff.
The stewards could have done with some lessons from Chiellini, who responded to Saka’s turn of pace by blatantly pulling him back, almost tearing his shirt. Jack Grealish arrived, replacing Mount, and brought some welcome trickery. A few chances came and went, Bernardeschi testing Pickford with a free kick. Jorginho could then easily have walked for a horrible challenge on Grealish, catching him on the knee and thigh.
European Championship final
Italy 1 (Bonucci 67) England 1 (Shaw 2)
(After extra time; Italy win 3-2 on penalties)
The Times
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