Italy foils England to bring home Euro title
From Gigi to Gigio, Italy still has a safe pair of hands in goal.
Fifteen years after Gianluigi Buffon helped Italy win the World Cup in a penalty shootout, Gianluigi Donnarumma did the same Sunday against England in the European Championship final in London.
Donnarumma made two saves in the shootout, blocking kicks from Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho in the 3-2 shootout victory following a 1-1 draw through extra time.
“Despite the goal right at the beginning we always commanded the game and then with penalties there’s Gigio,” Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini said. “We’ve gone from Gigi to Gigio.”
Dannarumma was named player of Euro 2020 moments after the match finished, the first goalkeeper in tournament history to be so honored.
The 22-year-old Donnarumma, who is reportedly moving to Paris Saint-Germain next season, was sobbing on the shoulder of an Italy team staff member after saving the final penalty kick from Saka.
“It’s an incredible night,” Donnarumma said. “If I am the best player of the tournament it is also thanks to (Leonardo) Bonucci and Chiellini. We were extraordinary, we are very happy.”
Donnarumma also saved a penalty from Álvaro Morata in the penalty shootout victory over Spain in the semifinals.
England took the lead early Sunday, with Luke Shaw scoring the quickest goal in European Championship final history in the second minute, but Bonucci equalized in the 67th.
“We didn’t give an inch. We are a fantastic squad and we deserve all this,” Donnarumma said. “That goal could have killed us, but we’re not those kind of men. We are those type of men who never give up.”
The World Cup final in 2006 also went to penalties. Buffon didn’t make a save, however, as France forward David Trezeguet hit the crossbar. He was the only player to miss.
Donnarumma could turn out to be even better than Buffon, whose nickname was Gigi. He made his debut for AC Milan in 2015, at the age of 16 years, 8 months, and has long been considered the heir to Buffon, who made a record 176 appearances for Italy.
He became the youngest keeper to play for Italy when he replaced Buffon at halftime in a friendly against France in 2016, conceding one goal in a 3-1 loss.
“We’re very fortunate to have Donnarumma,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said. “I was sure he would save a couple of penalties because he’s the best goalkeeper in the world.
“He really is a wonderful guy and an incredible goalkeeper.”
Copa America
Two long droughts ended Saturday at the Copa America final: Argentina won its first major title since 1993 after a 1-0 win against Brazil. And Lionel Messi finally lifted his first major trophy for the national team, filling in one of the biggest gaps in his decorated career.
Argentina’s winning goal at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro came in the 22nd minute after Rodrigo de Paul made a long pass to Ángel di Maria. The 33-year-old veteran striker counted on some sloppy defending from left-back Renan Lodi to take control and lob it past goalkeeper Ederson.
When the match ended, a tearful Mess knelt down and put his hands on his face. Then most of his teammates ran in his direction to celebrate and threw him into the air. Once criticized by Argentina fans for his quietness, he went to the few hundred guests chanting his name at the Maracana and chanted with them. Messi kissed the trophy before lifting it into the air.
The teams were cautious early in the match, barely offering chances. When Argentina opened the scoring in a rare Brazil defensive mistake and Di Maria’s classy finish, the match became more physical and Argentina successfully stopped the ball from getting to Neymar.
Neymar tried hard with dribbles and passes, but the Selecao barely threatened Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the first half.