HEARTBROKEN England stars consoled Bukayo Saka after the teenager missed the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout.
The Arsenal winger, 19, put his hand up to take a penalty for the Three Lions after a heroic performance from the player and his team.
Yet Gianluigi Donnarumma was equal to Saka’s spot-kick, having already saved Jadon Sancho’s effort and seen Marcus Rashford hit the post.
Immediately after his penalty, Saka was embraced by team-mates Kalvin Phillips and Luke Shaw as he broke down in tears.
Gareth Southgate also consoled the youngster along with Sancho and Rashford.
The manager has spoken openly and honestly about his own comeback from missing in the Euro 96 semi-final shootout.
A number of the players who featured less over the tournament and yet were credited with being key dressing room leaders took Saka under their wing, including Conor Coady, Ben White and Ben Chilwell.
Wembley rose to give a standing ovation to the England stars who had delivered a stunning run to the final.
It was almost three hours earlier that Shaw had put the Three Lions a goal up in the final.
Leonardo Bonucci levelled after the hour mark in a gruelling 120-minute game that tested both side’s mental and physical stamina.
And it was the Azzurri who came out on top with a 3-2 shootout win.
Andrea Belotti failed first for Italy before Rashford narrowly missed.
Sancho’s shot was saved by Donnarumma to give Jorginho the chance to win it, only for Jordan Pickford to produce his second stunning stop.
Saka had to score yet was denied by the superb Donnarumma, earning Italy their first Euros crown in 53 years.
More to follow…
