FT: ENGLAND 1 - 1 ITALY. Italy win on pens

[surge]

Think it was 19 attempts on goal to 6 in the end in favour of Italy. England got off to a great start and Italy were certainly rattled, but they grew into the game from about 30 mins and really controlled the game from that point forward.

I hope we get more analysis of how amazing Italy have done in this tournament from tomorrow onwards rather than more about England.

Italy beat three of FIFA's top 10 in the World and beat two of those without one of the player's of the tournament in Spinazolla. They also beat England at Wembley in front of a crowd with Chiesa (another player of the tournament contender) going off injured with significant part of the game left to play and were the only side to win two penalty shoot-outs.

They didn't even qualify for last World Cup.

[Tuerto]

I hope we get more analysis of how amazing Italy have done in this tournament from tomorrow onwards rather than more about England.

Italy beat three of FIFA's top 10 in the World and beat two of those without one of the player's of the tournament in Spinazolla. They also beat England at Wembley in front of a crowd with Chiesa (another player of the tournament contender) going off injured with significant part of the game left to play and were the only side to win two penalty shoot-outs.

They didn't even qualify for last World Cup.

well said.

[Bluebirdman Of Alcathays]

England failed to beat a top 10 side in 90 minutes. So did Wales.

I think England have got a huge amount right this tournament - a lot of credit goes to Ian Mitchell who was sports psychologist for Wales in 2016 - and go into next World Cup as favourites, and probably win it. I think the rest of Europe is looking at Italy and England as the teams to learn from.

England had a lot go for them this tournament including some of the traditionally stronger teams shooting themselves in the foot. Granted, they'll be there or thereabouts in the next ten years but France and Germany will be back, Spain are getting better and the Netherlands should improve. Also Wales, of course. They won't get a better chance than this, all told.

[life on mars]

Better side won , Southgate tactics and decisions were pretty woeful in this game .

[LeningradCowboy]

There might have been a team decision. It also could have been that players who wanted to have a go got the nod and other players backed away.

I meant the order of the penalty takers. The fifth penalty is already sudden death, so why plan to put such an inexperienced player in that situation?

[MacAdder]

Is there still a bank holiday tomorrow?

In Italy yes.

[MacAdder]

I meant the order of the penalty takers. The fifth penalty is already sudden death, so why plan to put such an inexperienced player in that situation?

Golden boy Grealish shat his pants.
As did Sterling.

[LeningradCowboy]

Better side won , Southgate tactics and decisions were pretty woeful in this game .

They started off pretty well to be fair! Playing the entire game with two against three in midfield was baffling though.

[Tuerto]

They started off pretty well to be fair! Playing the entire game with two against three in midfield was baffling though.

Yeah, but Mancini got to grips with it and Italy dominated the second half and created the better chances. Southgates reluctance may have got them to the final, but it sure as hell lost them it.

[City123]

I don't agree with this. England were excellent and had this game ended after 45 mins they would have been worthy winners. Italy ground them down. They were wonderful in the group stages, but had England won the tournament it wouldn't have felt wrong at all.

Winner of the tournament tho was the refs. Felt like a step back towards sensible reffing.

Great competition. Loved it. Bring on the next one

Not sure about that, they started well but from around 25 minutes Jorginho & Verratti got on the ball and completely controlled everything. England had 7 defensive players on the pitch so they were always going to be hard to break down.

I've no idea why he took Rice off and I've no idea how Phillips wasn't booked for persistent fouling. Mancini showed his superior quality as a manager whilst Southgate seemingly resorted to just throwing attackers on.

It was nice to see the ref not fall for Kane's antics too often

[Pearcey3]

I have got a lot of time for Southgate and this team. They are a good bunch. Already twitter morons are giving the likes of Rashford and Sancho a hard time. They don’t deserve that.

[Monster munch]

Golden boy Grealish shat his pants.
As did Sterling.

Grealish being lauded by the pundits as if he’s the new Messi. Jermaine jenas on the BBC commentary actually said excitedly “here we go” as soon as he got the ball and nothing happened.
They set themselves up every time.

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

having 3 kids taking pens was unwise and you have to feel for them.

Italian midfield after ht was classy and bossed the game and their capt a real warrior.

best team won.

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

Grealish being lauded by the pundits as if he’s the new Messi. Jermaine jenas on the BBC commentary actually said excitedly “here we go” as soon as he got the ball and nothing happened.
They set themselves up every time.

grealish looks a big pansy with that hairband and did feck all.

[City123]

Grealish being lauded by the pundits as if he’s the new Messi. Jermaine jenas on the BBC commentary actually said excitedly “here we go” as soon as he got the ball and nothing happened.
They set themselves up every time.

Rio Ferdinand anointing England the winners after Spain v Italy. They really never learn

[chrisp_1927]

Think Rashford is lucky to be lumped in with sancho and saka. Rashford is an experienced penalty taker who seemed to decide to treat todays penalty as a joke. Feel for Sancho and Saka, never should have been put into that position by Southgate, the pair of them showed real balls and will hopefully have an arm put round them.

[Gofer Blue]

Yes, I too feel sorry for the young lads who were brave enough to take the penalties. However you could see Rashford's miss coming with that ridiculous sort of shimmy. England had everything going for them - a home game at Wembley with 60,000 fans against Italy's 6,000. Also this was the first really good team they have encountered in the whole tournament. Imagine the situation if the game had been in Rome!

[Moodybluebird]

Really, I think he’s great, even his cynical foul was a shirt tug rather than Phillips’ stamp, which wasn’t given, on Chiesa.

I love Chielini too. Great player and so much character in his face. He could have been a Roman centurion. Probably up there with Beckenbauer as being one of my favourite defenders of all time.

[willo1927]

I hope we get more analysis of how amazing Italy have done in this tournament from tomorrow onwards rather than more about England.

Italy beat three of FIFA's top 10 in the World and beat two of those without one of the player's of the tournament in Spinazolla. They also beat England at Wembley in front of a crowd with Chiesa (another player of the tournament contender) going off injured with significant part of the game left to play and were the only side to win two penalty shoot-outs.

They didn't even qualify for last World Cup.

More chance of pink snow tomorrow
Frank Lampard is the only one I've heard so far give them credit.
All I've heard is England dominated the first half (no they didn't) and should have scored more. They were on top for the first 15 minutes then equal for the next 15 then for the rest of the game it was only going to be one winner and it wasn't England
The best team of the tournament and the final won

[willo1927]

Rio Ferdinand anointing England the winners after Spain v Italy. They really never learn

🙈