This archive report was first published on 13 July 2021.
Italy Wins Euro 2020, Celebrated as Heroes in Rome ¶
Published on July 13, 2021
Italy's players were feted as heroes in Rome after beating England in a dramatic penalty shootout to win Euro 2020 at Wembley on July 11, 2021.
Italy's prime minister and president hosted ceremonies for the Azzurri before the team boarded a bus and made a triumphant journey through jubilant crowds waving the tricolour flag.
It capped off an emotional 24 hours that began with a night of drama at Wembley on Sunday night, when Italy recovered from the shock of conceding the quickest goal ever in a European Championship final to equalise and then claim a 3-2 shootout victory.
Italy's win marks a remarkable turnaround under coach Roberto Mancini after the team failed to even qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“It’s a renaissance for Italian football,” said an emotional Leonardo Bonucci.
By contrast, England's failure from the penalty spot extended their dismal record in shoot-outs and left them still desperately waiting for another major trophy after the 1966 World Cup they won on home soil.
The mood was soured further after three England players who missed penalties — Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka — were subjected to a stream of racial abuse online from their own and other supporters.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson led condemnation of the “appalling abuse”, while England manager Gareth Southgate said it was “unforgivable”.
Back in Rome, Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini dedicated the win to the Italian fans and former Italy and Fiorentina defender Davide Astori, who died aged 31 after suffering a cardiac arrest before an Italian league match in 2018.
Addressing the audience in the grounds of President Sergio Mattarella's Quirinale palace, he paid tribute to his teammates.
“We are not here because we scored an extra penalty, but because we believed in the values of friendship,” he said.
“This success is a group victory. This bond made us feel like brothers of Italy to answer the call together.”
