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Roy Keane Defends Bukayo Saka After Penalty Miss

Roy Keane Defends Bukayo Saka After Penalty Miss

He was critical of the decision

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

Roy Keane has defended Bukayo Saka after he missed a penalty during last night's Euro 2020 final loss to Italy.

While Andrea Belotti and Jorginho both came up short for Mancini's side, England's misses from Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka meant the Italians took the trophy home.

But when it comes to England's penalties, some are critical of the decision-making behind putting up some of the squad's youngest players.

Roy Keane had something to say about the decision.
PA

With Rashford and Sancho aged 23 and 21 years old respectively - and Saka just 19 - outspoken Keane had a few words to say.

Speaking after the game, he said: "If you're (Raheem) Sterling or (Jack) Grealish, you cannot sit there and have a young kid go up for a penalty ahead of you, you can't. You can't, I don't care what anybody says.

"You cannot let a shy 19-year-old go up in front of you. They have a lot more experience, Sterling has won trophies, they had to get in front of the young kid and stand up.

"I'm not saying he wasn't prepared, maybe Gareth had him sixth or seventh. You can't sit there, that must be hard to take. You pull this young kid and say 'listen, I'll step up for you'."

Last night saw England's hopes of 'it coming home' dashed.

PA

There was nothing to separate the two sides on the field, but Gareth Southgate's men failed agonisingly at the final hurdle and their 55-year wait for a major trophy goes on.

Despite a valiant effort, the familiar foe of a penalty shoot-out proved just too much for the Three Lions, who have much to take away from the tournament, particularly with a World Cup in Qatar next year.

They pushed a streetwise and experienced Italy side to their limits, and won many admirers along the way, but history will remember Italy as worthy winners, with their own redemption narrative at the heart of their success.

England took the lead within two minutes, when Kieran Trippier - brought into the side at the expense of Bukayo Saka - picking out Luke Shaw at the back stick for his first ever England goal.

PA

The Manchester United full-back struck the ball crisply on the half volley past the helpless Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Italian goal. It was the fastest goal in European Championship final history, and set Gareth Southgate's side off to a flyer.

Then it was a long way until the game entered extra time, with many near misses and on-the-edge-of-your seat moments.

Extra-time started quietly, with England beginning to look tired after spending much of the game defending.

It was Italy who had the first real opportunity of extra-time, when Federico Bernardeschi caused chaos in the England box after a low cross, Pickford just about did enough to put him off.

After still no goals, the game was forced into a penalty shootout. The two sides went kick for kick and the burden of pressure ultimately fell to 19-year-old Saka.

But Donnarumma saved, and Italy were the champions.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Euro 2020