England vs. Italy result: Italians beat English in Euro 2021 final in penalty kick shootout

Simon Borg

England vs. Italy result: Italians beat English in Euro 2021 final in penalty kick shootout image

"It's coming to Rome" is what Italian players were shouting in celebration after winning the Euro 2021 final in a dramatic penalty kick shootout against England that saw goalkpeeper Gigi Donnarumma emerge as the hero. The shootout, only the second in Euros finals history, was necessary after 120 minutes of action ended in a 1-1 draw. 

Donnarumma stopped a shot by England's Jadon Sancho and then clinched the win with a save on 19-year-old Bukayo Saka, who took England's fifth and final penalty. Marcus Rashford, who along with Sancho came into the match specifically for the shootout, hit the post on his attempt.

England took the lead on a second-minute goal by Luke Shaw, the fastest goal from kickoff in Euro finals history. Then the Three Lions proceeded to sit back and defend the advantage until the Italians broke through for a 67th-minute equalizer through Leonardo Bonucci. The Italian defender crashed the goal for a loose ball after a teammate's attempt hit the post.

The Italians looked like the most likely team to score a second goal until late in extra time when England played with slightly more urgency. But for the second straight penalty kick shootout, Donnarumma was the star. He also came up with a save on Alvaro Morata's shot in the semifinal shootout against Spain.

The English were in their first Euro final and they were the favorites playing at London's Wembley Stadium against Italy. Their hunt for a first major tournament title since the 1966 World Cup continues. For Italy, it's the second Euros triumph and first since 1968, and the result extends its team-record unbeaten run to 34 matches.

England vs. Italy live score

  1H 2H ET1 ET2 Final
England 1 0 0 0 1
Italy 0 1 0 0 1

Goals:
ENG: Luke Shaw (Kieran Trippier) - 2nd min.
ITA: Leonardo Bonucci - 67th min.

Final Score: England 1, Italy 1 (Italy win 3-2 on PKs)

Penalty kick shootout (Italy win 3-2)

Round 5: ENG: Bukayo Saka's shot is saved! Italy wins! - ITA 3, ENG 2

Round 5: ITA: Jorginho's shot is saved and then goes off the post!!! - ITA 3, ENG 2

Round 4: ENG: Jadon Sancho's shot is saved!!! - ITA 3, ENG 2

Round 4: ITA: Bernardeschi scores right down the middle - ITA 3, ENG 2

Round 3: ENG: Marcus Rashford's shot goes off the left post!!! He had Donnarumma beat - ITA 2, ENG 2

Round 3: ITA: Bonucci scores. Pickford guesses right but couldn't reach it - ITA 2, ENG 2

Round 2: ENG: Harry Maguire roofs it. England's up! - ITA 1, ENG 2

Round 2: ITA: Belotti's shot is saved by Pickford! - ITA 1, ENG 1

Round 1: ENG: Kane scores. Donnarumma guesses right, but it's a good shot - ITA 1, ENG 1

Round 1: ITA: Berardi scores, sending the 'keeper the other way - ITA 1, ENG 0

End of extra time: England 1, Italy 1

123rd min: Penalty shootout forthcoming. First one at the Euros since 1976.

122nd min: Italy attacking England's right side, where Rashford is playing right back. But Rashford makes a good play in one instance.

121st min: Three minutes of added time. Nothing comes of the Italian corner.

119th min: SUBS - Italy get a corner kick and England makes its subs: Marcus Rashford in for Henderson and Jadon Sancho for Kyle Walker.

118th min: SUB - With the shootout in mind, Italy brings on Florenzi for Emerson. England have two other subs waiting to come in.

117th min: Great job by the referee not calling a penalty despite Bernardeschi's shout for a hand ball in the England box. Ball doesn't hit John Stones in the hand. Good no call.

113th min: Jorginho steps on the ball and then his studs go into Jack Grealish. Jorginho lucky to skate free with just a yellow.

111th min: Chiellini stops Sterling in the box again, but the Man City man almost got away from him. It looks like England is doing its best to avoid penalties.

108th min: Chance for England: Cross by Kane into the box and Italian 'keeper Donnarumma comes off his line to punch away with English players waiting to make contact.

106th min: Harry Maguire goes into the referee's book for a foul on Italian forward Andrea Belotti and Bernardeschi blasts the set piece ball at goal. Pickford stops it and recovers.

End of 1st period of extra time: England 1, Italy 1

106th+ min: End of the first extra time period. We're 15 minutes away from a penalty-kick shootout.

104th min: Danger for England. Cross by Italy's Emerson from the left and Bernardeschi nearly connects, but it gets by him and hits Pickford. Belotti with the follow-up shot and he wanted a corner, but it wasn't given.

99th min: SUB - And England counters with fan favorite Jack Grealish, who comes on for Mason Mount.

97th min: SUB - Meanwhile, Marco Verratti is replaced by Manu Locatelli who had a great two-goal performance back in the group stage.

97th min: On that corner, the ball falls to England's Kalvin Phillips and he fires it wide left. Dangerous by England.

96th min: Sterling gets the ball on the left side of the box, but Chiellini attacks him and clears. Great defensive play. He gave up a corner.

91st min: Italy starts extra time with Andrea Belotti in place of Lorenzo Insigne, who was carrying a card and also limped off the field.

End of 90 minutes: England 1, Italy 1

96th min: We're heading to extra time, but not before Giorgio Chiellini gets a yellow card for pulling down Saka from his collar after he gets by him.

90th min: There will be six minutes of stoppage time.

87th min: Pitch invader delay. And play finally resumes, but today has not been a good look for Wembley Stadium.

85th min: And Chiesa does have to come out after all. Federico Bernardeschi replaces him.

84th min: Insigne gets a yellow card for a foul on Kalvin Phillips. But he should know better than to concede a set piece to England near the box. Nothing comes of it.

82nd min: Oh wow. Looked for a moment like Chiesa was going to have to come out. But he's back on the field. We'll see if his running is affected by the foot injury.

80th min: Strong run by Federico Chiesa and he stays on the ground injured. The training staff come in to help.

74th min: SUB - Another sub for England as Jordan Henderson comes in for Declan Rice in central midfield. England is wobbling here and Italy is sensing it can win it.

73rd min: Italy's Berardi nearly takes a volley and puts it past the goalkeeper, but it's just high.

71st min: How does England respond? Southgate brings on Bukayo Saka for Kieran Trippier and they'll move to a four-man back line.

67th min: Goal Italy!!! Bonucci bundles it home after a scramble in the box on a corner kick. Verratti's header hits the left post and Bonucci followed it up at the goal line. We're tied 1-1.

64th min: On a corner kick for England, a John Stones header on goal is tipped over the bar by Italian 'keeper Donnarumma. Outside of the goal, that was the most dangerous chance for England.

62nd min: Best chance of the game for Italy as Chiesa's shot destined for the low right corner is stopped by a diving Pickford. Chiesa is Italy's most dangerous player tonight.

57th min: Chiesa connects with Insigne who maneuvers in the box and takes a shot from a tight angle. The goalkeeper blocks it.

56th min: Bonucci picks up Italy's second yellow on a foul and on the ensuing set piece, Maguire's header goes high.

55th min: SUBS - Domenico Berardi, who's a winger, comes on for Immobile. And Bryan Cristante comes on for Nicolo Barella, who received the early yellow.

53rd min: Insigne again with a run into the box from the left and his right-footed curler is way off target. Subs coming for Italy.

51st min: After earning a free kick from 20 yards out, Italy's Insigne takes it, but curls the ball just high. He's not accurate, but he definitely stays busy.

48th min: Sterling goes down in the penalty box again! But the referee says play on, and he's right. Sterling just threw himself to the ground.

48th min: Nicolo Barella gets a yellow card for a foul on Harry Kane.

46th min: Second half is underway. And we pick up exactly where we left off. Italy passing and pushing, and England sitting back.

Halftime: England 1, Italy 0

Halftime: After scoring in the 2nd minute, England was content to sit back and let Italy try to come up with something. But the Italians are not inspired. Roberto Mancini will probably wait to see if they can nick a goal to open the second half before thinking about subs for Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne. But the Italians have to watch out: The few times England has decided to push up, it's been dangerous.

49th+ min: And now it's center back Bonucci just firing a wayward shot from distance. Not a good decision.

46th+ min: In stoppage time, an Immobile volley in the box is blocked by a defender and then Verratti follows it up with a shot that's telegraphed to 'keeper Jordan Pickford.

44th min: Sterling takes a tumble in the Italy box after a shoulder-to-shoulder, but the referee says get up. Speaking of the referee, he's done well to let play flow and keep the whistle in his pocket.

42nd min: Set piece into the box for Italy and Harry Maguire clears. Italy still with possession. They have numbers and space to pass, but it's all outside the area. If you're England, you'll take this for the 50 minutes left in this game.

39th min: Italy forwards Immobile and Insigne look like they've never played together. Another pass by Insigne and Immobile is twisting and turning to find it. But he's also offside.

36th min: Luke Shaw with the ball at his feet in the Italy box again, but his low cross is cleared by Emerson. Threat neutralized by Italy.

35th min: Best chance for Italy. Federico Chiesa holds off Declan Rice and then explodes toward goal and fires a left-footed shot that fizzes just wide right of England's goal.

33rd min: Italy is just knocking the ball around, stringing together a series of passes and then it ends with a ball Emerson can't reach on the end line. It's a lot of bark and no bite from Italy.

28th min: And Insigne just fires a ball from 30 yards out. It was hopeless as soon as it left his foot. And the Italian forwards are now arguing. Not looking good for them. No rhythm to their game.

25th min: Jorginho is back on the field. His reentry came after an Italian attack in which Insigne couldn't find Immobile in the box. The Azzurri just don't look sharp or dangerous.

23rd min: While Jorginho is receiving treatment (and limping to sideline), the broadcast shows Tom Cruise and David Beckham fist-bumping on the Shaw goal. Of course.

22nd min: And Jorginho is down for Italy, pointing at his right knee. He's getting worked on by the trainers.

19th min: So Italy is pressing high and controlling possession for the last few minutes. England content to absorb the pressure for now because Italy are eventually coughing it up every time.

17th min: Another Italian attack foiled, this time by a very tight offside on Italian left back Emerson. And the camera obviously pans the crowd and keys in on the injured Italian left back Leonardo Spinazzola, who would be starting if it wasn't for a ruptured Achilles.

11th min: Italy seems to have gathered itself after the early blow. But every time the Italians have pushed forward, the attack has fizzled out.

4th min: That was the fastest goal ever to start a European Championship final match. The cross came from Trippier, who is the new starter in the lineup, coming in for Bukayo Saka.

2nd min: England goal!!! Luke Shaw scores his first-ever England goal on a sweet volley. He took it in stride and beat the goalkeeper at the near post.

2nd min: Harry Maguire just gives away a corner, kicking a back pass nowhere near Pickford, but Italy can't take advantage.

1st min: We're off.

2:55 p.m. ET: Finally, the anthems:

2:40 p.m. ET: Some "Sweet Caroline" to pass the final minutes here:

2:20 p.m. ET: The Italian fans at Wembley. Question is whether they'll be able to make themselves heard during the game:

2:15 p.m. ET: Warmup time. Italy's out first. We're getting there:

1:45 p.m. ET: Fans are taking their places at Wembley:

1 p.m. ET: Things don't seem to be any better closer to Wembley, where fans are storming barriers.

12:00 p.m. ET: We can't verify if this actually happened today, but it is cool and hard to pull off:

11:44 a.m. ET: Crowds of people were gathering hours in advance of the final and that was not necessarily a good thing in some places:

England vs. Italy starting lineups

Earlier reports were confirmed that England is going back to a three central defender formation with two wingbacks in Luke Shaw (left) and Kieran Trippier (right). Bukayo Saka sits out to make room for Trippier.

Italy rolls out the same side that got past Spain with Ciro Immobile keeping his role at center forward despite rumors that the head coach was contemplating a switch.

England

Starting lineup (3-4-3, left to right): 1-Jordan Pickford-GK — 6-Harry Maguire, 5-John Stones, 2-Kyle Walker — 3-Luke Shaw, 4-Declan Rice, 14-Kalvin Phillips, 12-Kieran Trippier — 10-Raheem Sterling, 9-Harry Kane, 19 Mason Mount

Available subs: 23-Sam Johnstone-GK, 13-Aaaron Ramsdale-GK, 15-Tyrone Mings, 16-Conor Coady, 24-Reece James, 7-Jack Grealish, 8-Jordan Henderson, 17-Jadon Sancho, 25-Bukayo Saka, 26-Jude Bellingham, 11-Marcus Rashford, 18-Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Italy

Starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 21-Gigi Donnarumma-GK — 13-Emerson Palmieri, 19-Leonardo Bonucci, 3-Giorgio Chiellini (C), 2-Giovanni Di Lorenzo — 6-Marco Verratti, 8-Jorginho, 18-Nicolo Barella — 10-Lorenzo Insigne, 17-Ciro Immobile, 14-Federico Chiesa

Available subs: 1-Salvatore Sirigu-GK, 26-Alex Meret-GK, 15-Francesco Acerbi, 23-Alessandro Bastoni, 24-Alessandro Florenzi, 25-Rafael Toloi, 5-Manuel Locatelli, 12-Matteo Pessina, 16-Bryan Cristante, 20-Federico Bernardeschi, 9-Andrea Belotti, 11-Domenico Berardi

How to watch the Euro 2021 final

  • Date: Sunday, July 11
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • TV channel (USA): ESPN in USA
  • Spanish-language TV (USA): Univision, TUDN
  • Streaming (USA): fuboTV , ESPN+, TUDN app, TUDN.tv
  • TV channel (Canada):  TSN 1/4 
  • Streaming (Canada): TSN Direct

USA TV & streaming

The Euro 2021 championship match will be broadcast in the USA by ESPN in English and Univision and TUDN in Spanish.

Both those networks can be streamed on fuboTV (free 7-day trial). ESPN+ will carry the match for subscribers and the match will be available on the TUDN app for authenticated users.

Canada TV & streaming

The match will be carried by TSN 1/4 in Canada and it will also be streamed on TSN Direct, which is available to authenticated users with a TV service provider. Fans can also subscribe to TSN Direct without a provider.

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.