Donnarumma, the hero who sank England at Wembley

When Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the decisive penalty Bukayo Saka This Thursday 3 years ago at Wembley, in the round of the Euro 2020 final, played in 2021, he did not know that he had just become the champion of Europe and, not afraid, until he was with his teammates who were celebrating when he realized he has what he has achieved.

It was a strange reaction from the goalkeeper who had won only one European Championship. Donnarumma he dressed up as his idol, the legend Gianluigi Buffon, and saved two consecutive penalties. SA Sancho and Saka. Italy became champion thanks to a brilliant Euro Cup by a goalkeeper who was named the best player of the tournament but is now in doubt in Italy.

But what exactly happened on July 11, 2021 at Wembley? because Donnarumma didn’t react? The answer is many things: he didn’t count the penalties correctly, nor did he know if the VAR justified his stoppage.

After a 1-1 tie that also stayed in extra time, it was time for penalties. Italy already qualified Spain from eleven meters and Donnarumma stopped one by one Alvaro Moratabut against an England playing at home it was different.

He started with the launch of Italy. Frame Domenico Berardi, injured for the next Euro Cup. tied up Harry Kanedespite the fact that he was touched by ‘Gigio’, who had the number 21 on his back. Andrea Bellotti failed. AND Harry Maguire put the English first with an unstoppable penalty (1-2) that completely deceived Donnarumma.

Leonardo Bonucci He laid the foundation for a return to his punishment. Rashford He sowed doubts with a shot against the post (2-2). Federico Bernardeschi He threw it in the middle, secured. And showed up Donnarumma to be great before Sancho with a stretch to his left (3-2). The first of two historical interventions.

At the crucial moment, Jorginho, the specialist, failed. AND Donnarumma He thought about that England He is a champion. He had to redirect his way back to the goal when he saw no one celebrating at Wembley. He stood under the sticks and guessed the shot at Then. As if it was something routine, he didn’t even wince. He is the hero and he doesn’t know it.

When he lost his gaze, oblivious to the distant shouts of the Italians in the countryside and the silence of the English, Donnarumma He didn’t react until his companions jumped. “I looked at the referee, because now with VAR they check the feet of the goalkeepers, who have to be on the line. I tried to understand if everything was okay, then I turned and looked at my teammates who were coming. to me , since That’s where it all started and I didn’t understand anything,” he admitted. Donnarumma after the game.

Italy He became a champion thanks to a player who was an unknowing hero. Italy went from ‘Gigi’ to ‘Gigio’. Not bad at that moment where the young promise lived at the top and became a player of PSG as a free agent, coming from a Milan that did not forgive him.

Now, 3 years later and several compromised performances, the debate has been settled for the Italian cause.