The question “who won the UEFA Euro 2020 final?” was answered on July 11, 2021, when Italy defeated England on penalties after a 1–1 draw following extra time. This thrilling showpiece at Wembley Stadium, London marked Italy’s second European Championship title, their first since 1968. Let’s dive into how it unfolded, the key moments, and what that win meant. AtiGoal will take you through step by step.
The big picture: Final result and significance
- England took an early lead with a stunning goal by Luke Shaw in just the 2nd minute, the fastest in a Euro final ever.
- Italy equalised in the second half through Leonardo Bonucci. Score at full time — and even at the end of extra time — was 1–1.
- In the penalty shootout, Italy held their nerve and won 3–2. England missed three of their last five spot kicks. Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma played a heroic role, saving the decisive penalty.
- The victory ended a long wait for Italy — their first major trophy since winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Route to the final: England vs Italy stories
Here’s how both teams made it to the final — because every champion’s path tells a part of the story.
Italyney
- Italy dominated their group stage, winning all three matches and conceding zero goals.
- Knockout stages involved tense battles: beating Austria 2–1 after extra time, edging out Belgium 2–1, then a semi-final shootout win over Spain. Italy showed grit, tactical discipline, and resilience.
England’s journey
- England topped their group, with wins over Croatia and the Czech Republic, and a draw with Scotland. The group performance was not always fluid, but solid defensively.
- In the knockout rounds, England beat Germany in the Round of 16, thrashed Ukraine in the quarters, and then came from behind to beat Denmark after extra time in the semi-final.
The match: key moments & turning points
Here are the pivotal moments that shaped the final.
- Fastest final goal: Luke Shaw’s early strike gave England hope and sent Wembley into a frenzy.
- Italy’s comeback: Bonucci equalised around the 67th minute, showing composure. Italy then pushed, especially in the second half and extra time, for control.
- Extra time drama: England had chances, Italy had spells of dominance—both teams tired, both made changes—but neither could break the deadlock.
- Penalty shootout: After successful first penalties by both, England missed three of their next three, allowing Italy to squeeze the win with calm finishes.
Records, reactions and legacy
- For Italy, this was their second European Championship title, matching France on two, and putting them behind only Spain and Germany.
- England reached their first major final since 1966; the disappointment of losing on home soil was huge, and the reaction back home was emotionally charged.
- Donnarumma was named Player of the Tournament, Bonucci was Man of the Match in the final.
Why this match still matters
- It showed Italy’s resurgence after missing the 2018 World Cup, bouncing back with defensive discipline, tactical flexibility, and mental strength.
- England’s performance, though ending in heartbreak, showed they are serious contenders, capable of reaching finals and pushing big teams.
- It was one of those emotional finals — in front of an England home crowd, under pandemic-related restrictions, but still with massive atmosphere.
Conclusion
Who won the UEFA Euro 2020 final? It was Italy, winning 3–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw with England following extra time. AtiGoal has taken you through the drama, the main moments, and why this match left a mark.
If you want deeper stats—player performances, heat maps, or how penalties have been deciding major tournaments—AtiGoal has those too. Let us know what you want next, and we’ll take you there.
