KEY POINTS

  • English players are criticized for taking their medals off during the awarding ceremony
  • Many on social media call it a poor show of sportsmanship
  • Gianluigi Donnarumma’s save will be a highlight for years to come

Italy won the Euro 2020 finals against England in a raucous match filled with drama and intrigue.

Considering all that, it hardly comes as a surprise that there would be further controversies when the smoke cleared.

England made history by scoring the fastest goal in the history of the tourney. Luke Shaw accounted for that to set the tone. It was his first international goal.

However, the big twist came at the 67th-minute mark when Leonardo Bonucci scored the equalizer.

It all boiled down to a shootout with stars like Andrea Belotti, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Jorginho and Bukayo Saka all missing their attempts.

But in the end, it was Gianluigi Donnarumma who stood out, foiling the final effort of Saka hence handing Italy the European championship.

It was a heartbreaking loss for England, who drew first blood and appeared to have the upper hand in the shootout.

Most were left distraught during the awarding ceremonies, and some did not escape criticism for their actions.

When English players were being handed their medals, some took them off even before taking another step during the ceremonies.

The gesture did not sit well with some fans who felt that it was a sign of disrespect.

Some branded it a poor show of sportsmanship, a bad example for the millions of young aspiring footballers who were watching.

Several netizens questioned the action of English players. One quipped how it was embarrassing to see players take off their medals and even called them ungrateful.

While it is understandable that English players were upset at settling for the silver medal, Twitter user @MazzucatoM felt it gave a bad vibe to the monumental moment.

Leonardo Bonucci of Italy
Social media blasted some players from England for taking off their medals after it was placed around their neck during the Euro 2020 awarding ceremonies. Getty Images | Laurence Griffiths

Among those who kept the medal on was Jordan Henderson, one of the most decorated players on the English national team.

Unfortunately, other high-profile names like Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips and Aaron Ramsdale were allegedly treated like dirt in the eyes of Twitter user @PatrykZD2.

Regardless, it cannot be denied that Italy took it to England and sealed it through penalties. That save by Donnarumma will be remembered for quite some time, the one that broke the English players’ backs.

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