The game seemed perfectly set up for the hosts to get at the ageing legs of Italy's old guard at centre-back of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. But they were undone from another set-piece as Bonucci and Chiellini piled forward for a corner to provide the goal the Italians' ailing attack could not find. Savouring the momentWembley was silenced bar the small band of Italian blue behind the goal where Bonucci bellowed in celebration. "I will hug them, smile or have a laugh but that's something that I have always done," said Chiellini before the final. Bonucci claimed man of the match and Donnarumma player of the tournament, but it was Chiellini who held the trophy aloft to symbolise Italy's transformation from national embarrassment to champions under Mancini.

Source: News 24 July 11, 2021 22:52 UTC