The Wembley sky turns blue: the dream has come true and after 53 years Italy, under the eyes of President Sergio Mattarella, is back as European champion on the same day – 11 July – in which it won in 1982 the world championships. He won on penalties, as in the semifinal against Spain. Gigio Donnarumma was decisive, awarded as the best player of the tournament, who saved 2 consecutive penalties out of 5 (a third ended up on the post) after a very tight match that ended 1-1 at the end of extra time.
From the penalty spot Berardi, Bonucci and Bernardeschi hit the mark but, despite the mistakes of Belotti and Jorgigho, the English made more mistakes by missing three penalties and Italy deservedly made the coveted trophy their own.
For the Azzurri, the match had started very badly because after only two minutes England had taken the lead due to a placement error by Di Lorenzo which allowed Shaw to take advantage of a perfect cross from Trippier. Italy suffered throughout the first half but in the second half the situation was reversed and the Azzurri took control of the match by drawing through Bonucci and coming close to doubling several times. In extra time no one managed to prevail and so fate was once again entrusted to penalties, where the Azzurri did better and above all Donnarumma towered over.
Italy thus reaps the fruits of the great work of coach Mancini who canceled the defeat three years ago when the Ventura national team failed even to qualify for the World Cup. But this isn't just a sporting victory: it's a victory that has a wider symbolic value and that rewards the desire for redemption of an entire country severely tested by the tragedy of the pandemic.
Today the Italian national football team, together with the tennis player Matteo Berrettini defeated with valor in the final of the Wimbledon tournament, will be received at the Quirinale and also awarded by the President of the Republic Mattarella. Thank you Italy, you gave us a historic evening.
