![News API: EURO2020 Final](jpg/shutterstock_2004048602-scaled.jpg)
Italy
Italy assured their place in the final on Tuesday after defeating Spain in a penalty shootout at Wembley. Both sides had remained locked in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. A curling shot into the far-left corner from Federico Chiesa (60′) flew past Unai Simon to hand Gli Azzurri the lead right on the hour mark. But an equally fantastic goal from second-half substitute, Alvaro Morata (80′) had Donnarumma diving the wrong way as Spain leveled the scoreline.
Moments later, Berardi saw his goal ruled off by the flag before the game went on to penalties. Unai Simon kept Locatelli’s penalty out but Spain failed to take the advantage as Mikel Oyarzabal fired well above the cross-bar. Minutes later, Donnarumma kept Alvaro Morata’s poor effort out before a Jorginho-styled penalty from the Chelsea midfielder sent Italy into the final. The Blues are on the verge of picking up their second European Championship after 53 years, – their first being in 1968 under the late coach, Ferruccio Valcareggi. Roberto Mancini will be looking to pen his name in the annals of history as the first coach to hand Italy the European title in this modern football era.
With a side unbeaten in six games across all competitions: WWWWWD. Federico Chiesa’s performance against Belgium saw him keep his place in the starting line-up for the game against Spain. He is expected to keep Berardi on the bench once again while playing alongside Insigne and Lazio’s Immobile in Mancini’s attacking 4—3—3 formation. Manuel Locatelli, currently on Juve’s radar with a €40 million bid on the horizon is expected to start from the bench once again on Sunday with Jorginho and Verratti being preferred choices in the midfield. On availability, Roma’s Leonardo Spinazzola went under the knife days ago after picking up an Achilles tendon rupture and will not be available for this fixture. Last Sunday, Roma’s new head coach, Jose Mourinho confirmed that the 28-year-old will be out for a few months.
✅ Most appearances for Italy in EURO finals history (18)
✅ Oldest player to score in a EURO final (34 years, 71 days)🇮🇹 Leonardo Bonucci 💪#EURO2020 | #ITA pic.twitter.com/ToWTINCYAP
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 11, 2021
England
The Three Lions put up another convincing performance on home soil at Wembley on Wednesday, defeating Denmark 2-1 after extra time to seal a place in the final. The Danish Dynamite picked up the lead after a stunning free-kick from Mikkel Damsgaard (30′) at the half-hour mark found its way over the wall and into the back of the net. But an own goal from the Danish captain, AC Milan’s Simon Kjaer (39′ O.G.) gave England a huge helping hand.
However, a dubious penalty that was awarded while another ball was on the pitch saw Harry Kane (104′) tuck in the rebound after an initial save by Danish goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel. It was his 4th goal of the tournament, one which propelled England into their first-ever European Championship final.
On Sunday, Gareth Southgate’s 4—2—3—1 formation will see the English captain leading the attack once again. Harry Kane is a goal shy of joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick as joint top-scorers of Euro 2020. Gareth Southgate has kept everyone happy despite the stiff competition for a starting spot in the star-studded squad. And barring any late injuries, we could see the same personnel from the game against Denmark start against Italy when England returns unbeaten in six games across all competitions: WDWWWW. This final comes after 50 games, 140 goals and a total attendance of 1,032,105 fans at the stadiums.”
#EuroFinal #EURO2020 #ENG #ITA
England vs Italy Euro 2020 Final: Head-to-head record and key stats
Read: https://t.co/uZAtYfalFA pic.twitter.com/vmQ1dC37Tt
— TOI Sports (@toisports) July 9, 2021