The Italian squad made a triumphant return to Italy on Monday after its penalty shootout win over England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium, plunging the host nation into despair and prolonging their 55-year wait for a second major title.Giorgio Chiellini, the 36-year-old Italy captain, and coach Roberto Mancini lifted the gleaming trophy aloft after the team’s plane touched down in Rome just hours after the victory in London on Sunday night.There was elation among a group who got up early, or never went to bed, to greet the Azzurri as they arrived back in the Italian capital, fronted by Chiellini wearing a crown.Mancini’s men recovered from the shock of conceding the quickest goal ever in a European Championship final to equalise and held their nerve to claim a 3-2 shootout victory after a 1-1 draw following extra-time, sparking scenes of delirium from the players and the small pocket of Italian fans at Wembley.©AFPIt is the second time Italy have been crowned European champions and marks a remarkable turnaround under Mancini after the team failed to even qualify for the World Cup three years ago.In Italy, fans spilled on to the streets from Milan to Palermo to celebrate their side’s triumph, pushing aside thoughts of the coronavirus pandemic which has gripped the nation.An overjoyed Mancini said: “The lads were wonderful, I don’t know what more to say.””We did well. We conceded a goal straight away and struggled, but then we dominated the game.”, he added.©Gallo ImagesA crowd of more than 67,000 mostly England fans at Wembley was whipped into a state of fever pitch before kick-off. England manager Gareth Southgate’s team raced out of the blocks and were ahead in just the second minute when defender Luke Shaw finished coolly at the back post after an inviting cross from Kieran Trippier.Italy grew stronger as the match went on and equalised with 23 minutes remaining when Leonardo Bonucci scrambled the ball into the net from close range.🇮🇹 Bonucci: “It’s coming to Rome!”@azzurri | #ITA | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/ZtDM5xY1xK— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 11, 2021 Extra-time finished goalless despite a flurry of substitutions pushing the game into a shootout drama.Southgate gambled by sending on late substitutes Rashford and Sancho specifically for their prowess in taking penalties, but both missed.Sunday’s success was the Azzurri’s second European Championship victory and came 53 years after Italy’s first win in the continental tournament.The Italian team arrived at Fiumicino Airport in Rome – captain Giorgio Chiellini and coach Roberto Mancini held the Henri Delaunay trophy on the plane steps before the players and staff boarded the bus“Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini… they could go to Harvard University to give classes about how to be a central defender. They’re quality. When I say quality I don’t just say creative players. Chiellini-Bonucci, it’s absolutely beautiful to see”. 🇮🇹José Mourinho – 2018 pic.twitter.com/ZkM9VtuxFZ— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 12, 2021 Defender Bonucci, who scored Italy’s equalizer which sent the final to extra-time and then penalties, was wrapped in the Italian flag.The 34-year-old Bonucci, who was immense for Italy in the final and rightly earned the man of the match award, is the oldest player to score in a Euro final.During the wild Italian celebrations after the team’s victory on Sunday, Bonucci screamed ‘it’s coming to Rome’ into the pitch side camera.Italy’s Euro 2020 victory marks an impressive return to form for a nation that failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in 2018.Under Mancini, Italy is now unbeaten in 34 matches, a record dating back to September 2018.3 years undefeated. 34 games unbeaten. European champion. 🏆 TAKE A BOW, ROBERTO MANCINI 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/S4j2lqTjND— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 11, 2021 © Agence France-Presse/CNN
