About The Failure Of The Penalties For Rashford, Sancho And Saka, This Is Southgate's Words

JAKARTA - England manager Gareth Southgate explained the reasons for determining the five penalty takers for the Three Lions in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, Monday, July 12 in the morning.

England lost 2-3 in a high-five after playing 1-1 for 120 minutes. Captain Harry Kane and Manchester United captain Harry Maguire both scored to give England an early lead in the tussle.

England can move forward with optimism after an impressive EURO 2020 campaign #EURO2020 | #ENG pic.twitter.com/UKnArKohta

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 11, 2021

However, United forward Marcus Rashford, new Red Devils signing Jadon Sancho and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka failed to find the net against Gianlugi Donnarumma.

Southgate knows exactly what it's like to see his own penalty saved in the semi-finals of Euro 96 for England against then-champions Germany.

"I decide the penalty takers based on what they've done in training," Southgate told the Manchester Evening News.

"We've won together as a team but we couldn't win the game tonight but in terms of penalties it's my call and it's completely in my hands."

England's players revealed in preparation for the final that they had practiced penalties in such cases and Southgate insisted they couldn't have done more to try and prepare.

"We've prepared well and started well but unfortunately the players weren't able to convert tonight," Southgate continued.

Southgate approached his squad as Italy prepared to lift the trophy, and the England boss explained that he told the players: “That we are all together, that they are wonderful to work with, and they have given the country great memories.

"Tonight is going to be very difficult for all of us, of course and you need to feel that disappointment because chances to win a trophy like this are very rare in your life.

"But when they reflect on what they've done, they should feel very proud of themselves."