LONDON: Italy coach Roberto Mancini has now led his team on a record 34-game unbeaten run after the shootout victory over England in the Euro 2020 final.

The individual hero was goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma who is now leaving Milan to former French champions Paris-Saint-Germain.

Donnarumma, who made crucial penalty saves from Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho and was hailed as official player of the tournament, said:  “We have done something extraordinary. We are delighted. We didn’t give them an inch. You all know where we started. We are a fantastic team and we deserve this.”

Coach Mancini said: “The guys were amazing. I have no words for them; this is a wonderful squad. This game was always going to be difficult, and after their early goal even more so but we dominated from then on. You have to have a little luck on penalties and I’m a little sorry for England because they also played a great tournament.”

Opposite number Gareth Southgate took responsibiity for the missed penalties as the man who chose the shooters.

He said: “It is down to me. I decided on the penalty-takers based on what they have done in training. Nobody is on their own. We have won together as a team and it is on all of us together to not be able to win this game.

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

Southgate said no blame should be placed on any of his players.

He added: “You cannot have any recriminations. They have done more than any other team in over 50 years.”

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