A hopeful tournament for England left them falling at the final hurdle after defeat to Italy on penalties meaning football was in fact coming... Rome. However, the elimination rounds provided us with just as much excitement as 8 games went to extra time.
In the round of 16, Denmark dominated Wales 4-0, in a game which saw Wales get their 2nd red card in as many matches as frustration was ever- present in Wilson's late lunge. Italy conceded their first goal of the tournament as Austria pushed them all the way as they came out eventual winners after extra time. A De Ligt red card for the Netherlands ultimately cost his team as the Czech's brushed them aside with goals from Thomas Holes and Patrick Schik.
A crunch tie between reigning Euro champions Portugal and the number 1 ranked nation Belgium saw the red devils advance to the Quarter-finals. A thriller between Croatia and Spain saw Croatia's late comeback to be in vane as Spain solidified a lead in extra time as they beat the World Cup runners up 5-3. Under dogs Switzerland faced the task of overcoming one of the favourites France; a difficult task and one that looked unlikely as they fell to 3-1 down despite taking the lead. However, two late goals rescued the dream as they then went on to proceed to the Quarter's on penalties. England then hosted Germany at Wembley as they ultimately progressed thanks to 2 late goals via Sterling and Kane in the penultimate game of the round of 16. The final game of the round of 16 saw Ukraine punish 10 man Sweden with a dramatic last minute winner in extra time.
In the quarters, the Swiss faced Spain and despite a red card, pushed Spain all the way to penalties before they eventually succumbed to defeat. Italy raced into an early lead against Belgium and fended of an attempted comeback from the red devils as they advanced to the Semi-finals. Denmark continued their fine form as they beat the Czech Republic 2-1. England continued their run of not conceding as they simultaneously showed their attacking prowess with a 4-0 win over Ukraine in Rome.
The first Semi-final had therefore been decided with Spain playing Italy. A tense match ultimately resulted in a draw as Morata turned from hero to villain as his penalty miss sent the Italians to the final. A rocking Wembley hosted England vs Denmark but was soon silenced as a early Damsgaard free kick put the Danes ahead. However, England managed to overturn the deficit as they ran out 2-1 to reach their first final since the 1966 World Cup.
In the final, England raced into an early lead as Luke Shaw opened the scoring. However, the Italians soon settled and patiently broke down England's formidable defence as they eventually equalised through Bonucci's 67th minute tap in. From then on in, neither side could bulge the back of the oppositions net meaning the Final was to be decided via penalties. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be for England as Saka's decisive penalty was saved by player of the tournament Donnaruma as Italy won their 2nd ever Euros.
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