Introduction

The highly anticipated finale of the 2021 UEFA European Football Championship (Euro 2020) took place on July 11th, 2021. The tournament, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw 24 teams from across Europe compete for the ultimate prize. In the end, it came down to England and Italy, two teams with a long history of football rivalry. The game promised to be one of the most intense and exciting finals in recent memory.

The Road to the Final

The two teams had very different paths to the final. England had a comfortable run through the group stage, winning two games and drawing one. In the knockout stages, they defeated Germany, Ukraine, and Denmark to reach the final. Italy, on the other hand, had a tougher route to the final. They won all three of their group matches but had to go through extra time and penalties to beat Austria. They also managed to edge past Belgium and Spain in the knockout stages.

The Game

The final was held at Wembley Stadium in London, and with home advantage, England had high hopes of winning their first major international tournament since the 1966 World Cup. The game got off to a good start for the home team when Luke Shaw scored the fastest goal in European Championship final history in just the second minute of the game. However, Italy slowly started to take control of the game, and after a period of sustained pressure, they managed to equalize through Leonardo Bonucci in the 67th minute.

The game went into extra time, and despite both teams having chances to score, neither could find the back of the net. It all came down to penalties, a cruel way to decide a winner in such an important game. Unfortunately for England, they couldn't handle the pressure, with misses from Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka giving Italy the victory.

The Aftermath

The defeat was a bitter blow for England, who came so close to winning their first major international tournament in 55 years. There was a lot of anger and disappointment from fans and players alike, especially given that the final was played at home. However, it's important to remember that England exceeded expectations by making it to the final and played some excellent football throughout the tournament. For Italy, it was a moment of jubilation, as they won their second European Championship after a long period of disappointment in international competitions.

Conclusion

The 2021 UEFA European Football Championship was a tournament that will be remembered for many years to come. The final between England and Italy was a thrilling encounter that showcased the best of European football. While it was a heartbreaking defeat for England, they can hold their heads high after an incredible tournament performance. As for Italy, they can bask in the glory of their victory, knowing that they are once again one of the top teams in European football.