Euro 2012 Result: England beaten on penalties again

Mike Norman
24 June 2012

Mario Balotelli missed countless chances against England

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England have been eliminated from Euro 2012 after losing to Italy after a penalty shoot-out on an entertaining night in Kiev...

"Spain remain the 2.747/4 favourites to win the tournament, ahead of Germany (2.89/5), Portugal (7.06/1), and of course, Italy."

Italy are into 7.06/1 to win Euro 2012 thanks to a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over England after 120 minutes of football produced no goals.

There was no separating the two sides in terms of goals scored during regular play but the gulf in class between Cesare Prandelli's men and the Three Lions was there for all to see as Italy, and in particular Andrea Pirlo, dominated proceedings.

Daniele de Rossi hit the woodwork early on just minutes before Glen Johnson missed a glorious chance for England, but from that moment on it was virtually all Italy.

Pirlo - man of the match on the night by an absolute street - took centre stage as the first half concluded, orchestrating many Italian moves that often ended with Mario Balotelli missing a great opportunity to score. The 0-0 Half Time score was matched at just 2.466/4.

England rarely threatened in the second half as Italy missed chance after chance, first through De Rossi from just four yards, then through Balotelli when Joe Hart parried a long range shot, and it started to look that fortune was on Roy Hodgson's side. But Wayne Rooney looked tired and out of sorts whilst Ashley Young gave away possession far too easily every time England threatened to break.

The Full Time Draw (90 minutes) was matched at 3.55/2, whilst the 0-0 Correct Score was backed at a high of 9.08/1 In-Play.

Italy continued to dominate in Extra Time and they thought they had won the game when Antonio Nocerino headed home from close range. But the goal was correctly disallowed for off-side and to a penatly shoot-out we went.

It was England that took the early advantage when Riccardo Montolivo screwed his spot-kick wide, but consecutive misses from Young and Ashley Cole mean that it is Italy who deservedly meet Germany in Thursday's semi-final.

Italy were matched at 11.010/1 to win the game on penalties.

Spain remain the 2.747/4 favourites to win the tournament, ahead of Germany (2.89/5), Portugal (7.06/1), and of course, Italy.