England pay the penalty again

  • Last Updated: June 25 2012, 6:14 BST

England suffered penalty heartbreak at Euro 2012 as Italy won 4-2 on penalties to book a semi-final clash with Germany.

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England exit Euro 2012 after losing on penalties.
England exit Euro 2012 after losing on penalties.

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Italy dominated for huge swathes of the quarter-final contest, but were unable to make the breakthrough as the match finished 0-0 at the end of extra-time.

Penalties offered the Three Lions hope but, after Riccardo Montolivo fired wide, Ashley Young and Ashley Cole both failed from 12 yards to leave former West Ham forward Alessandro Diamanti as the man to step up and send Italy into the last four.

Italy were almost in front inside the opening three minutes when Daniele de Rossi's deliberately sliced volley from 30 yards crashed back off the post with Joe Hart beaten.

England responded almost immediately as Glen Johnson found himself on the edge of the six-yard box, but his shovelled attempt produced a superb reflex stop from Gianluigi Buffon.

  • Italy have beaten England 4-2 on penalties in the quarter-finals after 120 minutes of Azzurri domination.
  • England fans look forward to the most important game of the tournament so far, as the Three Lions prepare to take on Italy.
  • Mario Balotelli starts tonight ahead of Antonio Di Natale, after coming off the bench to score a spectacular overhead kick against Ireland.
  • The national anthems are blared out and the teams take up their positions. Time for kick-off.
  • An early scare for England as the ball falls to Daniele De Rossi, whose sliced shot from distance beats Joe Hart but slams against the post.
  • England have their first spell of possession, and Milner manages to find Johnson in the box. He scoops his shot goalwards but Buffon saves and Italy clear.
  • Italy have another great chance as Balotelli beats the offside trap. However he hesitates on the ball and Terry is able to recover and block the shot.
  • England are again on the attack and a clever flick from Rooney finds Welbeck, but the Manchester United man misfires and the chance goes begging.
  • Balo has yet another chance, Cassanno heads the ball into his path. A last ditch Lescott challenge denies the Italian and his frustration is evident.
  • The whistle goes and England have survived the first half. Better still they have looked a threat going forwards and will continue to press the Italians.
  • The second half begins with another Italy chance as the ball falls to an unmarked De Rossi, who shoots wide from 5 yards.
  • The Azzurri come again, this time Montolivo comes close firing the ball just over the bar. England are clinging on.
  • England have one last attack, which sees the ball sit up for Rooney, but his bicycle kick flys over the bar. 90 minutes are up and extra time will follow.
  • England narrowly survive the first half of extra time, with Italy's pressure now relentless; Diamanti striking the post with a curling effort.
  • Substitute Nocerino has the ball in the back of the net as he nods home from Maggio's cross. But the linesman's flag is up. No goal!
  • The decision has gone England's way and that's it for extra time. Penalties await.
  • After Balotelli and Gerrard score the first two penalties, Montolivo steps up. He fires wide and Rooney scores to give England a 2-1 lead.
  • Andrea Pirlo calms Italian nerves with a cool chip, before Ashleys Young and Cole miss to give Italy a chance to win it.
  • Former West Ham man Diamanti steps up to take it. He makes no mistake and sends Joe Hart the wrong way. Italy are through. England are out.
  • It's an all too familiar feeling for England as the Three Lions leave a major tournament on penalties once again.
  • Italy will head to Warsaw to face Germany in the semi-finals and battle for a place in the Final.
Pictures from England's 4-2 penalty loss in the quarter-finals at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

The enigmatic Mario Balotelli had numerous chances to put Italy ahead, but was denied by a block from John Terry and then alert defending from his Manchester City team-mate Joleon Lescott.

De Rossi had a golden opportunity to put the Azzurri in front three minutes after half-time, but snatched at his shot, while Balotelli was denied by club colleague Hart and then saw an ambitious overhead kick fly over.

England retreated more and more as the game wore on and were almost punished in the first period of extra-time when Italy substitute Diamanti saw his cross come back off the post.

The Azzurri finally had the ball in the net with five minutes left of extra-time, but substitute Antonio Nocerino was fractionally offside when he stooped to head home and England held out to force a shoot-out.

This became England's latest in a long line of penalty shoot-out exits from major tournaments, following on from 1990, 1996, 1998, 2004 and 2006,

England manager Roy Hodgson told Radio Five Live: "Anyone can miss a penalty.

"They were not nonchalant, Ashley Young's smashed against the bar and Ashley Cole's was well saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

Team Score Team
England 0 - 0 Italy
England 1 - 0 Ukraine
Sweden 2 - 3 England
France 1 - 1 England

"A player's reputation should not be forged on a penalty shoot-out, their reputation should be forged on the four games and in those four games we have not lost."

He added: "We stuck to our guns right until the end and the players should be very proud of what they did.

"I have learnt a lot about the players and their determination and dedication to the task and the fact they are so keen to play for England.

"There were some heroic performances not only tonight but also in the previous three games."

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli admits Germany are "favourites" to win their semi-final clash after praising his side's "deserved" spot in the last four.

"We have played a great game," he told Rai TV.

"We deserved the win. We were really good against a big team like England. Then, at penalties, what is also needed is luck.

"This evening we played with heart, character and ideas against a difficult side. I also want to underline the spirit we showed.

"Are Germany favourites for the semi-final? Absolutely yes, but now let's celebrate this win and then we will think about the semi-final."