In what turned out to be one of the most brutal moments of the final, Giorgio Chiellini stopped Bukayo Saka in his tracks with the kind of tackle which is now banned in the NFL.
It was simply not to be England’s night at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Italy triumphed over the Three Lions in the 2020 European Championship final, as Gareth Southgate’s men were so close–and yet so far from lifting silverware for the first time since 1966.
After England took the lead as early as in the 2nd minute through Luke Shaw, Italy found their way back into the game with their constant pressure–and finally found a way in via Leonardo Bonucci right after the hour mark.
After a tussle in the penalty area following a corner, Verratti’s header was saved by Jordan Pickford but Bonucci tapped it in on the rebound to bring Italy back on level terms.
The teams needed additional extra time to separate them, and when still deadlocked, the final outcome was to be decided via a penalty shoot-out–spot-kicks were to make all the difference once again in London.
Though, England could have put some serious pressure on Italy when Saka broke free of Giorgio Chiellini towards the end of regulation 90 minutes.
The Arsenal winger almost outran the veteran defender on the right flank before he was brutally brought to the ground with a horse-collar tackle.
Just plain assault on Saka#Euro2020Final #englandvitaly pic.twitter.com/VxiRkqFZrw
— Tim Gatt (@TimGatt) July 11, 2021
