That calm walk after having stopped one of the most important penalties in the history of Italian soccer wasn’t a show: Gianluigi Donnarumma hadn’t realized that he’d just been crowned European champion. Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Donnarumma said, “I didn't celebrate on the penalty because I didn't realize we had won."
I’m not going to lie, it’s not easy to go from watching the Euro and Copa América finals to blanky staring at Costa Rica fight off Guadeloupe 3-1 in the Gold Cup. Concacaf’s skill level might not be that of UEFA and CONMEBOL, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t entertainment.
Hace un par de semanas había alegría en la Federación Mexicana de Fútbol. En un amistoso ante la selección de Panamá, la afición del Tri se había portado súper bien y Guillermo Ochoa hasta felicitó a los espectadores por no recurrir al "¡eh, puuuto!" que tantas sanciones le ha significado al balompié azteca. Sin embargo, esa alegría apenas duró un par de partidos.
ROME - After 18 months of pandemic hell, Italy reveled in some soccer heaven on Monday after its national team brought back the European Championship trophy for the first time since 1968 following victory over England at Wembley.
Led by coach Roberto Mancini, the players landed shortly after dawn to find many fans were still celebrating in the early morning cool, with the smell of fireworks lingering in the streets and flags flapping out of car windows.
Lionel Messi’s first major international trophy for Argentina was a feel-good moment for the world. I don’t think soccer fans can take anymore Messi tears after losing in a final. The Argentina Copa América celebrations spanned across the globe and are worth watching — so long as you’re not Brazilian.
Pitbull may claim to be Mr. Worldwide, however, I don’t think he has the facilities to make the world go this crazy over him.
Mention the phrase "Italian center back" and the first thought that will come to the minds of most football fans is the indomitable pairing of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.
The veteran duo just led Italy to its first European Championship since 1968 and provided a masterclass in defending against some of the continent's best attacking talents.
But in recent days, another Italian center back has been drawing his share of attention on the internet, but not for his performances on the pitch.
LONDON - The old guard, once again, came good for Italy, this time steering the Azzurri to Euro 2020 glory, but wily defensive stalwarts Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini cannot go on forever.
One experienced defensive head is guaranteed to remain, however, to guide an exciting Italy team into the future, despite still being a boy himself. The unflappable Gianluigi Donnarumma is almost certainly going to go on to break all kinds of appearance records at club and international level.
Roy Keane said England teenager Bukayo Saka should not have been given the task of taking their crucial fifth penalty in Sunday's shootout defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
Saka, 19, had to score to send the shootout to sudden death but his kick was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper had also saved from Jadon Sancho after Marcus Rashford had hit the post.
DONNARUMMA SAVES THE PENALTY!
LONDON - Black players in the England soccer team have been subjected to a storm of online racist abuse after their defeat in the final of Euro 2020, drawing wide condemnation from the squad's manager Gareth Southgate along with royalty and politicians.
Marcus Rashford, 23, Jadon Sancho, 21, and Bukayo Saka, 19, were the targets of the abuse after they missed spot-kicks in a penalty shootout with Italy which settled Sunday's final after the game finished as a 1-1 draw.