It was almost certain football was coming home, at least according to the English fans.

They were so sure of winning the title that they had petitioned the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to give them a bank holiday on the Monday after the final. But, for that to happen England had to surmount a very huge mountain in Italy.

Infront of a jubilant home crowd, England took the lead within the first two minutes.

From an Italian corner, the clearance fell to Luke Shaw who turned and saw Harry Kane in the middle of the park and slid through a pass and carried on his chase into the Italian box.

Kane passed the ball out wide to Kieran Trippier who looked up and crossed a beauty to the back post.

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Shaw didn't have to take a touch, he just volleyed it first-time off the post into the back of the net.

That was the quickest ever goal in a European Championship Final and chants of "Football's Coming Home" went a notch higher.

This motivated the English players who were a joy to watch in the first half.

Italy celebrates. PHOTO/COURTESY

Italy looked a shell of the team we've become so accustomed to during the course of this tournament.

 Gareth Southgate won the first half tactical battle as Italy were left with no room to manouvre.

Just shots from distance and set pieces but nothing much to trouble Jordan Pickford.

Their architect-in-chief Jorginho couldn't get past Mason Mount.

His tackle on Raheem Sterling almost brought his night to a premature end midway through the first half.

PHOTO/COURTESY

He only needed a few minutes on the treatment table.

Roberto Mancini looked to have hammered some sense into his players and they looked the more managing going forward in the second half.

A double change on 55 minutes by Mancini rattled England and you could feel the equaliser coming.

Federico Chiesa almost made England pay when he weaved his way into the final third and bent a shot across goal but Pickford had the awareness to palm it away.

If Southgate won the tactical battle in the first half, second half was Mancini's.

Italy won a corner on 67 minutes and after a goalmouth scramble, the ball fell to the feet of the oldest player in the pitch, Leonardo Bonucci who couldn't miss from a yard out. 1-1 and Italy are on top in terms of statistics.

Italy lost numerous chances to win the match in regulation time and England were happy to go into extra time which passed by without much drama.


Both teams were happy to go to penalties. Domenico Berardi scored his, Kane replied.

Andrea Belotti missed and Harry Maguire emphatically put England ahead. Bonucci's penalty just went past Pickford, Marcus Rashford missed his and Bernadeschi gave the Azzuri the lead before Jorginho, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missed.

The wait for a first European title continues for England but at least they broke their semifinal hoodoo in this tournament. Congratulations Italy for taking it to Rome.