Maguire 'heartbroken'

Harry Maguire described the overriding feeling of being ‘heartbroken’ after suffering defeat at the hands of Italy on Sunday night. 
 
The England defender was on target from the penalty spot in the shootout but Gareth Southgate’s side ultimately came up short on an emotional night at Wembley Stadium.
 
Losing on penalties is one of the most brutal ways to end the tournament but Maguire and his teammates can take some comfort in the achievement of taking the Three Lions to their first-ever European Final. 
 
“Heartbroken,” he said after the game. “The lads are devastated. We gave everything – we gave absolutely everything out there.
 
“It was a bit of a ding-doing out there – we had the first half, they had the second and extra-time could have gone either way. 
 
“We found another gear in the second period of extra-time and put pressure on them – for it to be decided by penalties is obviously disappointing and most importantly, to lose the match is not what we came into this stadium for. We wanted to bring the trophy home.”

"We gave absolutely everything."

You sure did, @HarryMaguire93 👊pic.twitter.com/6fOO6lg3ls

— England (@England) July 11, 2021

The Italians were more than worthy of their place in the Final having beaten the likes of Belgium and Spain during the knockout stages. 

But the Three Lions got off to the perfect start when Luke Shaw fired home after just two minutes before Leonardo Bonnuci’s second-half equaliser forced extra-time. 

And Roberto Mancini’s men ultimately proved too stubborn as Italy collected their second European title. 

“They’re a top side so we’re going to have parts of the game where we’re going to have to come under pressure and see it out," added the Manchester United man.

“It just wasn’t our night – there were times in that second half where of course, we should have been a little bit more brave on the ball but there were times when we did it excellently.

“Maybe we could have punished them a little bit more in the positions that we got to, especially in the first half and maybe in extra-time as well.

“They’re a top team and credit to Italy – they’ve been excellent throughout the tournament.”