‘Football came home’: Italian media mock England after Roberto Mancini’s men beat the Three Lions in Euro 2020 final and celebrate a ‘Wembley party with penalties’… as L’Equipe and Marca hail Italy’s ‘invincibles’
Roberto Mancini’s Italy have been heralded as ‘Invincibles’ after beating England to win Euro 2020 at Wembley, as the Italian media poked fun at Gareth Southgate’s side for falling at the final hurdle.
The Azzurri were crowned champions of Europe following a tense penalty shootout, which completed their unbeaten run in the competition.
Monday’s front pages across the sporting world were awash with tributes to Italy, and their newfound status as the champions of Europe.
Yet a smug undertone could also be detected, with one paper talking of a ‘penalty party at Wembley’ and England’s inability to be clinical from 12-yards.
The Italian sports pages were awash with tributes to their nation after winning Euro 2020
Tuttosport went with the headline ‘There’s only us!’ after Italy beat England on penalties
In Italy, Gazetta dello Sport ran with the headline, ‘Too beautiful, Italy champions of Europe.’
It is a huge turnaround for the Italians, who fought back from football’s wilderness after failing to qualify for the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Corriere dello Sport proclaimed ‘It’s ours!’, while Tuttosport proudly ran with their headline: ‘There’s only us!’
It was also added ‘Football came home’ as the Italians took the opportunity to make a jibe at England’s belief that 55-years without a major international trophy was about to come to an end.
The coverage of Italy’s win has naturally gone far and wide, with L’Equipe in France labelling the Azzurri ‘Invincibles’ after their immaculate winning record en route to the trophy.
Corriere dello Sport proclaimed ‘It’s ours!’ after Italy became the cream of Europe
Coverage of Italy’s win has naturally gone far and wide, with L’Equipe in France labelling the Azzurri ‘Invincibles’
Following the match on Sunday evening Italy talisman Leonardo Bonucci goaded England fans by screaming ‘it’s coming Rome!’ into a TV camera in the aftermath of the famous penalty shoot-out triumph.
The centre back scored the equaliser for his country as the Italians came from behind to take the game to penalties, before coming out on top 3-2 in the shoot-out, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missing for England.
And after the Italians lifted the trophy, 34-year-old Bonucci sent a message back home in opposition to England’s famous ‘It’s coming home’ song by screaming into a TV camera: ‘It’s coming Rome!’ with the defender in triumphant mood following Sunday night’s victory.
Italy talisman Leonardo Bonucci goaded England fans in the aftermath of the shoot-out victory
The Juventus defender also said in the aftermath: ‘You all still have to eat a lot of pasta,’ referring to English fans.
He continued: ‘They wanted to bring the cup back to England but we are the ones who will take it to Rome by plane.’
Bouncci made it known how irritated he was by the boos during the Italian national anthem before the game too, saying: ‘We were strong, louder than the noise of the whistles.’