England 0-0 (2-4 on penalties) Italy – Match Recap – Euro 2012 – 24 June 2012
England once again were knocked out on penalty kicks in a major tournament. Italy were the stronger side throughout the entire match and really deserved to advance.
The match started out with a frantic pace as both teams had very good chances including Italy’s Daniel De Rossi hitting the woodwork. England’s good chance was a shot by Glen Johnson but he was unable to get much on it and Gianluigi Buffon made the save. England were very effective early using Johnson and Ashley Cole on the flanks against a slower Italy side.
Despite the early chances for both sides, the match settled into a more defensive match with Italy dominating possession. England struggled to hold onto the ball and forced to play a more conservative match. It was not a great performance from either side and England looked to lack the quality to win the match.
Neither team would find the back of the net for the first 90 minutes and extra time would be required. As the second half of extra time was winding down, Italy appeared to score the match winner but it was ruled offside. The referee signaled the end of extra time with penalties to decide the match.
In the penalty shoot-0ut, both teams would convert their first rounds before England took a lead after the second round. Italy replied by converting the third round and catching a break when Ashley Young’s penalty hit the crossbar. The momentum stayed with the Italians as they would convert their next two penalties and Ashley Cole’s was saved by Buffon.
Italy will now play Germany in the semifinals while England are eliminated from the tournament. Germany will be the major favorites in that match as neither of theses sides appear to have the quality to win Euro 2012.
Goals (penalty shootout)
1st Round
Gerrard (England) scores from the penalty spot.
Balotelli (Italy) scores from the penalty spot.
2nd Round
Rooney (England) scores from the penalty spot.
Montolivo (Italy) misses from the penalty spot.
3rd Round
Young (England) hits the crossbar from the penalty spot.
Pirlo (Italy) scores from the penalty spot.
4th Round
A. Cole (England) has his penalty saved by the goalkeeper.
Nocerino (Italy) scores from the penalty spot.
5th Round
Diamanti (Italy) scores from the penalty spot.
Teams
England (4-4-2) - Hart, Johnson, Lescott, Terry, Cole, Milner (Walcott 61′), Parker (Henderson 94′), Gerrard, Young, Rooney, Welbeck (Carroll 60′)
Italy (4-1-3-2) - Buffon, Abate (Maggio 90′), Barzagli, Bonucci, Balzaretti, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Rossi (Nocerino 80′), Montolivo, Balotelli, Cassano (Diamanti 78′)
Yellow Cards
Barzagli 82′
Maggio 93′
Red Cards
None
Match Stats
England Italy
| 9(1) | Shots (on Goal) | 36(8) |
| 15 | Fouls | 11 |
| 3 | Corner Kicks | 7 |
| 1 | Offsides | 2 |
| 32% | Time of Possession | 68% |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 8 | Saves | 1 |
