For the first time since 1968, Italy has captured the European Championship.  The Azzurri defeated England 3-2 on penalties at Wembley Stadium on Sunday to win EURO 2020, their second title at the continental tournament.

The teams played to a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Italy adds their second EURO triumph to four World Cup titles, their most recent coming in 2006, as they remain one of the world’s preeminent soccer powers.

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named Player of the Tournament and he secured the Henri Delaunay Cup for his country with an impressive performance in the shootout.

After Marcus Rashford hit the post for England, Donnarumma turned away both Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka to cap off the win.

In the England goal, Jordan Pickford gave his team the early advantage by stopping Andrea Belotti on the second shot and semifinal shootout hero Jorginho on the fifth, but ultimately it wasn't enough.

Leonardo Bonucci scored the marker for Italy in the 67th minute as he found a ball in the box and slid it into the England net.  Pickford made the initial save on Marco Verratti's shot, tipping it off the post however the rebound rolled right to Bonucci, who made no mistake to equalize the game.

The second-half strike cancelled out Luke Shaw’s second-minute opener for England, the fastest goal in the history of the final of the European Championship.  As England broke in on an early counter-attack, Kieran Trippier delivered an inch perfect pass to Shaw and he smashed it into the Italian net to give his side the lead.

"We are hugely disappointed. I think the players have been an absolute credit, they have given everything they possibly could," England coach Gareth Southgate said. "Tonight was exactly the same, they have run themselves into the ground."

England was trying to win their first international trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

“The boys couldn’t have given more,” England captain Harry Kane said after the loss. “Penalties are the worst feeling in the world when you lose. It’s been a fantastic tournament — we should be proud, hold our heads up high. It’s going to hurt now, it’s going to hurt for a while.”

Italy stormed to the title after a perfect 3-0 run through the group stage.  They were also unblemished through qualifying for the event.  Italy has been on an impressive run under manager Roberto Mancini that has now stretched to 34-games unbeaten in all competitions.