Southgate’s penalty plan backfires in painful England final

England’s manager Gareth Southgate embraces Bukayo Saka after he failed to score a penalty during a penalty shootout after extra time during of the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021.

England’s manager Gareth Southgate, right, hugs England’s Bukayo Saka after the penalty shootout of the Euro 2020 soccer final match between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021.

England’s Marcus Rashford reacts after failing to score a penalty during a shootout at the end of the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. Italy defeated England 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

England’s Raheem Sterling comforts England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after the penalty shootout of the Euro 2020 soccer championship final between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021.

By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer

LONDON (AP) — It all ended in a familiar consoling embrace for Gareth Southgate. Wrapping his arms around Bukayo Saka, the England coach felt the teenager’s anguish.

Having a decisive penalty saved in a European Championship match at Wembley Stadium can be such a lonely experience.

It still follows Southgate 25 years after his missed spot kick in the semifinals against Germany. Now he had to accept responsibility for Sunday’s final loss to Italy, having selected Saka to take what would be the last kick of Euro 2020 — a kick saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“He is not on his own,” Southgate said. “We’ve got to be there to support him. We’re got to be there to help him. But I’m sure he’ll get a lot of love from the outside.”

The focus will turn instead to Southgate’s decision-making. Should he have asked a 19-year-old to step up for such a pressure-packed moment?

Raheem Sterling, a Premier League winner playing at his fourth tournament, wasn’t even included among the five penalty takers before the shootout was over and Italy was going off to collect the trophy.

Southgate’s strategy will be analyzed for years to come in a nation still waiting for a first major title since the 1966 World Cup.

Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were brought in the 120th minute just in time to take penalties. Rashford had to play at right back with Kyle Walker sacrificed for the looming shootout. Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League winner, Jordan Henderson, was deemed less suitable for a penalty than Sancho.