Southgate accepts responsibility for penalty 'gamble' in Euro 2020 final

LONDON: England manager Gareth Southgate said it was his decision to put teenager Bukayo Saka as his team's final penalty taker in their shoot-out loss to Italy in Sunday's Euro 2020 final.

The home side, playing in their first major final since 1966, lost 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Wembley.

England's midfielder Bukayo Saka (3rd L) is consoled by teammates after failing to score in the penalty shootout during the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between Italy and England at the Wembley Stadium in London. - AFP Pic
England's midfielder Bukayo Saka (3rd L) is consoled by teammates after failing to score in the penalty shootout during the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between Italy and England at the Wembley Stadium in London. - AFP Pic

Southgate also brought on Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford deep into extra time specifically to take spot-kicks, and they also both missed as England blew an early advantage in the shoot-out.

"I chose the takers," Southgate told ITV. "I'm unbelievably disappointed not to go one step further.

"We decided to make the changes at the end of the game, but we win or lose together as a team."

England's coach Gareth Southgate reacts after England lost to Italy in the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between Italy and England at the Wembley Stadium in London. - AFP Pic
England's coach Gareth Southgate reacts after England lost to Italy in the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between Italy and England at the Wembley Stadium in London. - AFP Pic

Arsenal winger Saka, who had only made five international appearances before the tournament, saw England's final penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, after Jorginho had wasted the chance to secure the title for Italy when his effort was kept out by Jordan Pickford.

Headcoach Gareth Southgate (R) of England comforts Jadon Sancho after failing to score during the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2020 final between Italy and England in London. - EPA Pic
Headcoach Gareth Southgate (R) of England comforts Jadon Sancho after failing to score during the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2020 final between Italy and England in London. - EPA Pic

"That was my decision to give him (Saka) that penalty," said Southgate, who missed the crucial penalty when England lost in the Euro 96 semi-finals to Germany on home soil.

"We worked with them in training. It was a gamble."--AFP

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