The racism, violence and abuse are problems the sport can police, but only wider political and societal forces can solveAnd so, back to black. The Wembley gates have been rushed. Anthems have been booed, stewards punched, murals defaced, racism paraded across social media. The lads are gacked up on Cake and Russel Dust outside Bella Pasta, flicking Vs in little Italy, abusing passers-by in the tube station.A prime minister who has done more than any other person in Britain to enable division and stupidity, has sent a message condemning division and stupidity. A home secretary who employs cynical and divisive rhetoric is “disgusted” to find people have taken her seriously. Related: Boris Johnson's Euros bandwagon-jumping won't get him far |...
Gareth Southgate’s choice of formation was understandable but there was no doubt England lacked creativityAs England dropped deeper and deeper in the second half, as they succumbed to the same problem holding a lead that had beset them against Colombia and Croatia at the World Cup, the temptation was to wonder if anything had really changed. Why is it that England so often take the lead in big games and so often end up turning in on themselves, as though every battle must be turned into a re-enactment of General Gordon’s defence of Khartoum?But perhaps that is unfair, or at least to oversimplify the issue. That England failed to hold a lead – again – does not mean that caution...
Italy are deserved champions at the end of a tournament where football offered hope and warmth after 18 months of isolationIt was nearly complete, it was nearly so sweet. But it was, lest we forget, still sweet all the same.Italy and not England are the champions of Europe after a gruelling, draining, occasionally wild Euro 2020 final was decided by the final kick of a penalty shootout. Related: Italy crush England’s dreams after winning Euro 2020 on penalties Related: England’s charming lads separated from glory by the finest of margins | Jonathan Liew Continue reading...
The manager has much to be proud of but the failings of tournaments past came back to halt England against ItalyThere was no escaping history in the end. Twenty-five years on, England’s past caught up with them. There was no fairytale ending. No redemption. This time it was Bukayo Saka who felt the ground fall from under his feet, who buried his face in his shirt, who experienced the agony Gareth Southgate felt when he missed the vital spot-kick against Germany during Euro 96. Related: England’s charming lads separated from glory by the finest of margins | Jonathan Liew Related: ‘Mancini has been absolutely wonderful’: praise for manager as Rome unites behind Italy Continue reading...
When Mancini took charge Italy were at a low but he has forged a brilliant team spirit combined with his tactical excellenceThe England fans sang “It’s Coming Home”, but a banner at the blue end of Wembley begged to differ. “Football’s Coming Rome” might not be good grammar, but a little artistic licence must be allowed when your team is making history in hostile territory as Italy did on Sunday night.Thirty-four games unbeaten, and now the champions of Europe. Who ever could have imagined such a scenario when Roberto Mancini took charge three years ago? His first game was a friendly against Saudi Arabia, who were using the match as a tune-up event for a World Cup that Italy had...