This was the party England and their fans were planning but once again they were left pressing their noses up against the window, their aspirations wrecked by a heartbreaking loss to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final. England's supporters almost gave a groan of acceptance when Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers sounded the conclusion of extra time. As England's supporters gave Southgate and his players a measure of acclaim, deserved for their efforts at Euro 2020, the scale of the disappointment hit home to all. Italy were deserved Euro 2020 winners. On this night, however, after so much fevered build-up and belief that this was the night England finally won that elusive silverware, there was once again only the crushing pain of another defeat.

Source: BBC July 12, 2021 01:14 UTC