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‘It will hurt like hell for the rest of their careers’: England left to deal with more penalty agony


After such a wonderful run, in the end, the feeling was oh so familiar for England fans.

The extraordinary euphoria that greeted Luke Shaw’s opening goal after just 117 seconds, and was sustained as England cruised through the opening 15 minutes.

The jittery nerves that inexorably followed as the tension ramped up and Italy began to assert their dominance, forcing England perilously deep and culminating in an inevitable equaliser.

From that point on, penalties loomed large on the horizon, dread growing among both sets of fans with every single second.

Losing in such heartbreaking fashion is not a new feeling for supporters of the Three Lions, who’ve endured 55 years of torment since their only major success in 1966.

It’s a long, lonely walk back to half way after missing a spot kick.(

AP: John Sibley

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That England were to lose in a shootout is hardly a surprise, either.

England has an appalling record in penalty shootouts in major tournaments.

Just twice have they prevailed from 12 yards, from nine attempts at the World Cup and European Championships.

That’s the lowest ratio of any European team that have been involved in three or more shootouts.

Italy, meanwhile, showed the way forward. In winning the shootout, the Azzurri became the first team to win that way twice in a single European Championships tournament, claiming their sixth major title.

Penalty order ‘my call’: Southgate

Bukayo Saka holds his hand to his mouth and is hugged by Kalvin Phillips
Bukayo Saka, aged just 19, was tasked with scoring England’s fifth penalty of the shootout.(

Getty Images: Paul Ellis

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Does the fact that the players to miss in the shootout were three of England’s youngest, brightest talents make this defeat seem all the more cruel?

Marcus Rashford, 23, Jadon Sancho, 21, and 19-year-old Bukayo Saka were the unfortunate trio, after the two Harrys, Kane and Maguire, slammed their efforts home.

England manager Gareth Southgate has experience of being labeled as a scapegoat after penalty disappointment, having missed the crucial spot kick at the semi-final stage against Germany in 1996.

In the social media age, the backlash against those who missed has the potential to be even more immediate and unsavoury.

Racist abuse flooding the social media feeds of the unfortunate players to miss in the shootout has already been reported.

The Football Association released a statement saying it “strongly condemns all forms of discrimination” and was “appalled” at the “disgusting” online racism directed at some of its players.

Gareth Southgate holds Jadon Sancho's head in his hands as they stand forehead to forehead
Jadon Sancho, second left, touched the ball twice before taking his spot kick.(

AP: Laurence Griffiths

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Southgate, a leader for England, said he took responsibility for the order of the spot kicks. 

“I decided on the penalty-takers based on what they have done in training. Nobody is on their own,” Southgate said.

“We have won together as a team, and it is on all of us together to not be able to win the game tonight.

“In terms of penalties, it is my call and it totally rests with me.”

‘It will hurt like hell for the rest of their careers’: Shearer

Gareth Southgate stands, hands in pockets, looking at the ground
Gareth Southgate said to come so close but fall short, hurt.(

AP: Carl Recine

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One must feel particularly sorry for Rashford and Sancho.

Both had been brought on in the final seconds of extra time explicitly to take a penalty in the shootout, a far-from perfect way to decide a match, but the best way that currently exists.

Both players touched the ball twice in the 150 or so seconds that they were on the field (if you include a throw-in taken by Rashford).

“It’s a big ask to put two players on with a few minutes to go and ask them to take penalties,” former England striker Alan Shearer said on the BBC.

“Mentally you have to get yourself right. You’ve not kicked a ball for a few hours.

“For the youngsters to say, ‘Yes, I’ll go on and take a penalty,’ you have to give them credit for that.

“It will hurt like hell for the rest of their careers but they have made us feel so proud over this last month.

“It’s football and it’s horrible when things like this happen, but you have to move on and find a way.”

Defeat will make or break these young players

Harry Kane walks past a large silver trophy in front of the colourful backdrop
Harry Kane said the defeat was “going to hurt for a while”.(

AP: John Sibley

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Speaking to the BBC after the match, Kane said losing on penalties was “the worst feeling in the world”.

“Of course it’s going to hurt now. It’s going to hurt for a while,” he said.

“Penalties is penalties … The boys did everything they could, it just wasn’t our night.”

Almost all of England’s players removed their runner-up medals from around their necks as soon as they were placed there — a sign that despite the enormous leaps this team have made since their ignominious exit against Iceland in 2016, this was not good enough.

“Tonight is going to be extremely difficult for all of us, of course,” Southgate told the BBC.

“You have to feel that disappointment because the opportunities to win trophies like this are so rare in your life.

“But when they reflect on what they have done, they should be incredibly proud of themselves.”

And while the pain is raw now, England should look back and be proud of their achievements.

Southgate has done a tremendous job in resurrecting some much-needed pride in the national team from the ashes of the Euro 2016 campaign, and came within touching distance of a major trophy that would have been unthinkable just five years ago.

This tournament, England has shown itself to be tactically versatile, entertaining when it needs to be, and ruthlessly efficient in defence.

Getting this side to take just one more step and stride over the line in Qatar in 18 months is Southgate’s next job.

World Cup glory in 2022 is now an attainable target.



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