2020 UEFA European Championship
Italy's second European Championship title, won on penalties after a 1–1 draw with England in the final.
The 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2020 or simply Euro 2020, was the 16th UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international men's football championship of Europe organised by UEFA. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the competition, UEFA president Michel Platini declared that the tournament would be hosted in several nations as a 'romantic' one-off event, with 11 cities in 11 UEFA countries providing venues. Portugal were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the round of 16 by Belgium. Italy won their second European Championship title by beating England on penalties in the final following a 1–1 draw after extra time. The win came exactly on the 39th anniversary of Italy's 1982 FIFA World Cup final victory over West Germany.
Quick Facts
- Result
- Champions (defeated England 1-0 aet in the final)
- Final venue
- Wembley Stadium, London
- Manager
- Roberto Mancini
- Goals scored
- 14
- Goals conceded
- 0
- Tournament record
- 6 wins
- 0 draws
- 0 losses
- Italy's euro titles
- 2nd (1968, 2020)
Lore & Background
The tournament was originally intended to be played between 12 June and 12 July 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was postponed to June and July 2021, while retaining the name UEFA Euro 2020 and host venues. UEFA allowed two extra substitutions and implemented video assistant referee (VAR) for the first time. Initially, there were 13 venues chosen but two were later dropped: Brussels in December 2017 after the city's Eurostadium was abandoned, and Dublin in April 2021 because there was no guarantee that spectators could attend. Spain originally intended to use Bilbao but later changed to Seville to allow for spectators. UEFA chose Stadio Olimpico in Rome to host the opening match between Italy and Turkey, while Wembley Stadium in London was selected as a semi-final and final venue for the second time, following the 1996 tournament.
Reader's Guide
The tournament was well received by fans and commentators, with the most goals per game in a European Championship since the introduction of the group stage, and only two goalless games. The refereeing style was praised, with a conservative use of VAR and quick decisions made on the pitch.
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