Since we are a tobacco forum, I'm smoking the small Padron in the middle in celebration this morning with my coffee:
Firstly, a small commiserations to England but a huge congratulations. Maybe it's England's history with penalties that makes it hard to see in the immediate aftermath, but not only should all England fans be incredibly proud of what these boys have done but also incredibly excited for the future. These boys will be a problem at the World Cup and I can easily see another impressive deep run.
After that you have to say, Italy were impressive. Facing England at Wembley and an over-capacity crowd AND being down a goal after just 2 minutes, they really grinded it back and dragged it all the way to penalties. Mancini was daring when Southgate was cautions, I personally feel that the team that has the momentum at the end of extra time, the team that is still attacking and attacking usually has the mental edge going into the penalties. Chiellini, my favorite player, does not get a lot of credit with the English media (him and Bonucci) as world class XI CBs but they have been immense all tournament.
BUT with all that said, hard to not question a lot of Southgate's decisions. A lot of the criticism that lingered throughout the tournament (highly defensive line ups, slow to make subs, player selection) that were brushed aside and masked with wins have now come back to roost.
I understand Rashford and Sancho were brought on to take PENs, but they played 4min each and barely if at all touched the ball. Sancho has barely featured all tournament and now he's gotta take a Finals PEN? Questionable. Rashford had 2 touches in the game before his PEN, a tackle and a throw in. (He also changed his penalty technique, so nerves is definitely in play here). Why not bring them on a little earlier (say at HT of ET)? Questionable. Like someone already said, trying to hold a 1-0 lead against this Italian team is suicidal, especially after Mancini just kept throwing on new attacking players to run down the counters. And lastly... Asking my dear boy Saka to anchor the 5th penalty. The boy has NEVER taken a senior PEN, not for Arsenal, not for England, not in a friendly, but has to step up for number 5? I saw John Stones, Grealish put their hands up in the huddle. I'm still in shock at that decision.
With all that said, when a match comes down to penalties, it comes down to the better keeper. And while Donnarumma was great, Pickford was too - saving Jorginho's 4th PEN for Italy was pure brilliance. And at that point it's just a coin flip. I think while you can argue over the course of the tournament, Italy maybe deserves to win, but on the day neither team deserved to lose.
Maybe we reconvene another soccer/futbol thread for next season, honestly more interest than I thought.
