LONDON - England's biggest demon still remains.
Gareth Southgate and his players have done much to redefine the country's ties with major tournaments this summer, but the biggest psychological ghost at the feast has shattered another dream: the Three Lions in another penalty shootout. fell the Beat.
Chalk another year of injury. Southgate picked the second-youngest team in these finals as they were free from the weight of history, but Euro 2020 is now on the list with 1990, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2006 and 2012 exiting the tournament in the cruelest possible way. sits.
England have won only 22% of their major tournament shootouts (two out of nine), the lowest proportion of any European nation involving three or more.
Southgate did much to allay fears of a spot kick in 2018, the mastermind of his maiden World Cup shootout success in the last-16 leg against Colombia. There was a conviction in their methodology that night and an argument that was not exactly replicated at Wembley on Sunday, as Italy ended an error-hole shootout 3-2 after 120 minutes that ended 1-1 .
Bukayo Saka was inconsolable after his decisive lapse, but in his ninth international at 19, it was the first penalty of his senior career.
Marcus Rashford is likely to be just days away from surgery for a shoulder problem that hampered his contributions during the tournament, limiting him to just 84 minutes. As a substitute for the 120th minute, he touched the ball twice in extra time before hitting a penalty against Gianluigi Donnarumma's right hand post.
Jadon Sancho was left out of the squad entirely on match day for England's opening game against Croatia and made just one debut in all tournaments, but entered the field with Rashford, noting that his The punishment was also saved by Donnarumma. Like Rashford, Sancho touched the ball twice beforehand, ending the game as a temporary full-back.
No one deserves better than Southgate to console that trio after such a personal disappointment, seeing their own penalty miss at Old Wembley 25 years ago.
But equally, for a man so studious and detailed in his preparation, it felt like a climax to a game in which even England took the lead early on.
Undoubtedly informed by his personal experience, Southgate sought to clear any blame from the defaulters.
"They have to know that none of them are on their own," Southgate said. "We win and lose as a team, and penalty takers are my call. We've worked on them in training, it's my decision. It's not down to the players.
"Tonight, it didn't go for us, but we know they were the best bowlers we had on the pitch. We tried to get those players on the pitch. We had to take something off already during the game itself. So Yes, of course it will be heartbreaking for the boys, but they are not to blame; that's my call as a coach."
"It's a process we've gone through," the manager continued. "We've tracked what they've done with their clubs over a long period of time and then what they've shown in training. The same process works for us in Russia and in the Nations League [2019 beating Switzerland]. Tonight, it's a lot. hasn't worked."
England came flying out of the blocks in a raucous atmosphere, forcing hundreds of fans to storm the stadium and go to seats without match tickets.
Thousands of fans gathered at Wembley Way throughout the day. An alchemy of lager, hash, and patriotic optimism swept through the air. Some of them, perhaps excited by their full day's session, overwhelm the managers to clear the barriers or access the gathering through handicapped entrances in some sections.
The noise was heightened even more at kickoff as Southgate's tactical surprise of introducing Kieran Trippier to Saka and switching to shape 3-4-3 paid dividends within two minutes.
Harry Kane fed Trippier, who crossed the back post, where England's other wing-back, Luke Shaw, carried him. It was England's first goal from a Manchester United defender and the fastest goal ever scored in the Euro final.
The combination of being overloaded on the stand and the wings threatened to sink Italy. England dominated in the first half hour, but Italy's influence began to grow; Marco Verratti in particular started to gain a foothold in the midfield.
The balance moved even further after half-time, as Roberto Mancini introduced Brian Cristante and Domenico Berardi, operating his forward players as a false nine with Lorenzo Insigne.
After this England fought. When considering England's exit from the 2018 World Cup with an extra-time semi-final loss to Croatia, Southgate blamed his own lack of bravery with the ball, fatigue and being conservative with his replacement after the move. cited.
All the undeniable progress England has made, the same issues have come before them. Southgate changed the shape of England by introducing Saka to Trippier. Jordan Henderson replaces the excellent Declan Rice.
Yet England was hanging fast. Mason Mount had a good tournament, but was lucky to survive extra time, eventually substituting for Jack Grealish in the 99th minute.
Yet as Croatia began to monopolize possession in 2018, Italy continued to look more likely winners until only the second time in history to settle the Euro final was left on penalties.
This England team now has to overcome its own history. Consolation would come in their first final appearance for 55 years, a resounding victory over Germany, a barrier-breaking semi-final win over Denmark and reconnecting with fans while making a positive impact on issues beyond the sport.
"They have performed more than any other team in the last 50 or so years," Southgate said. "So the players should be incredibly proud of what they did. Tonight, of course, it was hard to get so close; you know those opportunities in your life are incredibly rare."
The FA has long targeted next year's World Cup in Qatar as the tournament England should win. Southgate on Friday claimed that despite leading his team with utmost integrity, he is not the finished article. England is closer than it has been for some time. But some monsters still remain.