Distraught England heroes take off Euro 2020 runners-up medals after falling agonisingly short against Italy
ENGLAND players took off their Euro 2020 runners-up medals after losing to Italy on penalties.
Captain Harry Kane led his side to the final and despite a valiant effort he and his team-mates fell short of Euro glory.
And it was clear to see a runners-up medal was not the reward England wanted for their efforts over the last four weeks.
Kane looked disappointed after picking up his medal but he kept his head held high as the England players thanked the fans after the final whistle.
After captaining The Three Lions to their first final in 55 years he should be proud.
The same can be said of Gareth Southgate, who will likely use the pain and experience of the Italy defeat to improve his side.
Like in the 2018 World Cup defeat to Croatia, England took an early lead.
Luke Shaw scored after volleying in a cross from Kieran Trippier but England failed to build on the goal, and slowly but surely Italy played their way back into the game.
Kane restored hope with a clinical penalty in the shoot-out, as did Harry Maguire, but three misses meant it was not to be England’s day.
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Italy became the only team to win two penalty shoot-outs in a European Championship.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was the hero with two saves, breaking the hearts of the England players.
Kane and Southgate now have the difficult task of galvanising the players once again for the 2022 World Cup.
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