England suffered penalty agony once more as Italy won a shoot-out after the Euro 2012 quarter-final finished goalless in Kiev.
Italy were vastly superior to England over the course of 120 minutes – but the resilience and organisation that have swiftly become the trademark under new manager Roy Hodgson took an enthralling game to penalties.
And, as on five of the previous six occasions England have entered this sudden-death environment, they were left heartbroken, with Italy confirming a semi-final meeting with Germany in Warsaw on Thursday.
England captain Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney were successful from the spot, but Ashley Young struck the bar and Ashley Cole’s effort was saved by Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Mario Balotelli scored Italy’s first spot-kick but Riccardo Montolivo’s miss gave England hope that was cruelly snatched away as Andrea Pirlo audaciously chipped in his spot-kick and Antonio Nocerino coolly slotted home before former West Ham midfielder Alessandro Diamanti scored the decisive penalty.
England cannot complain that the better team did not emerge as winners – but even in the face of a constant wave of Italian attacks Hodgson’s men still showed enough heart and durability to make their Euro 2012 exit with pride.
As Italy subjected them to what was almost torture by possession, England’s back four and goalkeeper Joe Hart responded magnificently by erecting a wall of defiance, with John Terry outstanding.
England will head for home on Monday after a campaign they can reflect on with a measure of satisfaction despite the disappointment. Hodgson – at short notice – marshalled his forces effectively but the gulf in class with Italy was clear and his team looked jaded long before the end.
Hodgson will now take stock of events in Ukraine, where England drew with France and won against Sweden and Ukraine to top Group D, as he plots the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Hodgson picked England’s first unchanged team since the miserable last-16 encounter with Germany at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – a show of faith in the side that beat Ukraine in Donetsk.
England were almost given the worst possible start when, after a prolonged period of possession, De Rossi’s swerving left-foot volley hit the post with Hart stretching in vain to make contact.
If this was an ominous start for England, they responded with an opportunity of their own when Glen Johnson found space in the area but could not get sufficient power in his shot and Buffon was able to claw the ball away.
England’s opening spell had been their best of Euro 2012. It was almost capped with a goal in the 13th minute when the dangerous Johnson crossed for Rooney but he could only glance a header over the top.
Balotelli had been his usual combination of threat mixed with moments of infuriating slackness. He was slow to react to the peerless Pirlo’s pass and allowed Terry to make a fine recovering tackle, then forced his Manchester City team-mate Hart into a save from a low effort.
England had lost the measure of control they had exerted for a spell, but there was still much to encourage Hodgson, particularly when Rooney opened up Italy’s defence and Danny Welbeck should have done better than sidefoot wide from the edge of the area.
Balotelli was again involved as he closed in on Antonio Cassano’s header six yards out but was left hacking at the post in frustration as Terry and Joleon Lescott combined to clear.
BBC
