Italy win Euro 2020 following dramatic penalty shootout

Italy have won Euro 2020 after defeating England in a penalty shootout.

It is the second time that Gli Azzurri - who were appearing in their fourth final - have won the European Championships with their first triumph coming in 1968.

England had taken the lead inside the opening two minutes courtesy of a wonderful volley from Luke Shaw - his first goal for his country. The Three Lions dominated first half thereafter, keeping Italy at arm's length throughout.

Italy grew into the game following a tactical change in the second half, and deservedly drew level courtesy Leonardo Bonucci.

Nothing could separate the sides until a dramatic penalty shootout, in which goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved young Bukayo Saka's penalty to win the title for Gli Azzurri.

Italy have impressed from their very first game, a 3-0 win over Turkey in Rome. They went on to finish the group stages unbeaten, breezing to victories over both Switzerland and Wales.

The knockout stages kicked off with a nervy extra time win over Austria, but they returned to form in the quarter-finals. There, they beat Belgium 2-1 in what was one of the games of the tournament. 

Next came a semi-final victory over Spain. Italy did it the hard way, struggling for 120 minutes before getting the job done on penalties thanks to some heroics from Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jorginho, who converted the winning spot kick with trademark composure. 

Their victory over England came just three years after they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Roberto Mancini was appointed soon after that debacle and the former Manchester City boss has done an incredible job turning their fortunes around since.