"Seeing Italy lift that trophy will haunt me forever" - England star recalls 2020 European Championship heartbreak ahead of Euro 2024 final
Ahead of England's Euro 2024 final clash against Spain, midfielder Declan Rice said seeing Italy lift the Euro 2020 title would "haunt him forever." The Three Lions lost 2-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final.
Luke Shaw had opened the scoring for Gareth Southgate's men. His goal in the second minute was the fastest goal scored in the final of any European Championship. However, England's lead was nullified in the 67th minute through Leonardo Bonucci.
The two teams were drawn even after extra time taking the clash to a penalty shootout. The Three Lions had the advantage after both teams had taken their first two spot-kicks. However, misses from Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Bukayo Saka gave Italy the advantage as they won the clash 3-2 on penalties.
Rice said about their loss in the final of the 2020 edition of the European Championship (via ESPN):
"Seeing Italy lift that trophy will haunt me forever."
Meanwhile, England have reached the final of Euro 2024 after defeating the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-final. The Netherlands scored first through Xavi Simons in the seventh minute. However, the Three Lions restored parity courtesy of a goal by Harry Kane in the 18th minute. They then sealed a spot in the final for the second consecutive time after Ollie Watkins' winner in the 90th minute.
How have England performed in Euro 2024 so far?
Gareth Southgate has been heavily criticized for his tactics in Euro 2024. The runners-up of Euro 2020 won their first group stage match against Serbia albeit by a slim margin. A goal by Jude Bellingham in the 13th minute was the only difference between the two teams.
Their second game against Denmark became a matter of much tittle-tattle as Southgate's men drew the game 1-1. Their last group-stage game against Slovenia ended in a 0-0 draw but took the Three Lions to the top of Group C.
England conceded first in all three knockout games in Euro 2024. They conceded first against Slovakia in their Round of 16 game as Ivan Schranz scored in the 25th minute. Southgate's men managed a heroic comeback. Jude Bellingham scored a bicycle kick deep into injury time to equalize. Captain Harry Kane scored a header in extra-time to send the Three Lions to the quarter-finals.
In the quarterfinal vs. Switzerland, Southgate's men took the game into penalties after they were tied at 1-1 even after extra time. Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead in the 75th minute while Bukayo Saka scored in the 80th minute. All English players scored their respective penalties in the shootout. A miss by Manuel Akanji ruined Switzerland's chances of progressing in Euro 2024 as they lost the game 5-3 on penalties.