Gascoigne's tears, Southgate's helplessness, Beckham's frustration, and the penalty nightmare once again befell the English in the final quarter-knockout game of this European Championship.

The Three Lions used to be the ultimate example of "lose on point", counting this loss to Italy, England won 1 and lost 6 in penalty shootouts in previous major tournaments, 1990 World Cup, 1996 European Championship, 1998 World Cup, 2004 European Championship, 2006 World Cup, England lost in penalty shootouts, and this time they fell to 12 yards, which may really be a kind of fate.

In the 1990 World Cup semi-finals, England faced West Germany, and the two teams played 1:1 in regular time, which was the first penalty shootout experienced in England's history, and it was also the most important one, because in the eyes of many people, it was this defeat that made England start to fear penalty shootouts, Pierce and Waddell missed key penalties one after another, and England also missed the World Cup final.

In the quarter-finals of the 1996 European Championship, England faced Spain and the two teams played out 0-0 in regulation time, which was England's only victory on penalties. Seaman saved back-to-back penalties from Hierro and Nadal, while the sinner "The Sinner" Pierce, who missed a penalty at the 1990 World Cup, redeemed himself six years later, scoring one for England and Pratt, Gascoigne and Shearer netting three others.

But after eliminating Spain, England and Germany, the old enemies, met again in a penalty shootout, and the luck of the English seemed to run out in the face of Spain, and it was still the Germans with super willpower who had the last laugh.

German goalkeeper Koepke saved Gareth Southgate's penalty before Andreas Anderas Bush saved his penalty. Muller converted the winning penalty and the Germans advanced to the final with their heads held high, while England missed their best chance to lift the European Championship on home soil.

In the quarterfinals of the 1998 World Cup, England faced Argentina, it was an unbeatable game, the Argentines wonderful free kick combination, Beckham's red card, the long-distance run of the wind-chasing teenager Owen, the two sides drew 2:2 in 90 minutes, in the penalty shootout, Barty and Ince both missed penalties, England hated the penalty shootout again.

In the quarter-finals of Euro 2004, England faced Portugal, and England once again went to the penalty spot, and after Germany, Portugal also became England's biggest sufferer in the penalty shootout.

It was a classic duel in the history of the European Championship, the two sides played to a 1:1 score in 90 minutes, scored one goal each in extra time, and in the final penalty shootout, Beckham kicked the penalty kick away as soon as he came up, and the turf at the penalty spot at the Stadium of Light killed the England captain at this moment, Vassell's penalty was blocked by Portugal's fantastic goalkeeper Ricardo with his bare hands, and then, Ricardo himself hit the penalty to keep England out of the final four of the European Championship.

In the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup, England and Portugal met again in a narrow way, and there was not much to expect from the old rivals in regulation time, with only Wayne Rooney's red card for Carvalho causing some waves.

England were hoping to avenge their defeat two years ago in the shoot-out, but Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Carragher all missed penalties in quick succession. Golden Mauro then scored the winning goal and England lost the penalty shoot-out again 1-3.

In the last quarter-final of Euro 2012, England and Italy met, which was also the first 0-0 and the first penalty shootout in this European Championship.

Both sides missed a number of good chances to score over the course of 120 minutes before having to rely on penalties to settle the score, with Montolivo's penalty deflected England the lead, but then Ashley. Jan and Ashley. Cole's Ashley brothers' spot-kicks were denied by the crossbar and Buffon before Diamanti was able to score the ball in a secure manner as England fell to the penalty spot once again.

The England's penalty nightmare may continue, but as losers, no one wants to pay attention to them anymore, and all eyes are on one person, that is, the biggest highlight of this game is still Balotelli.

Almost no one thought that when the penalty shootout began, the first person to stand in front of the penalty spot was Balotelli, who walked to the penalty spot, showed a relaxed smile, seeing his Manchester City teammates so relaxed, England's goalkeeper Joe. Hart was obviously unable to let go, and despite the referee's persuasion to walk to the goal line, Hart did not turn back to the goal, but faced Balotelli, smiled and retreated to the goal line.

Hart's smile was completely provoking and pressuring Balotelli, seeing Hart pressuring him, Balotelli did not avoid the eyes of the England goalkeeper, but stared at Hart with both eyes, showing the same weird smile.

Italy vs. England penalty shootout, or Balotelli vs. Joe. The direct conversation between Hart began in advance.

Balotelli, who walked to the penalty spot, slowly set the ball, at this time, Balotelli was still looking at Hart with a smile, but Hart had begun to dangle restlessly on the goal line, and put his hands on his knees, lowered his center of gravity, and waited for Balotelli.

At this moment, Balotelli began to run, kicked the football, only to see the football obediently into the lower left corner of the goal, although Hart judged the right direction, but Balotelli's penalty was not only fast, but the angle was too awkward, so that Hart could not do anything at all.

Watching his penalty score, Balotelli waved his arms excitedly, and with a roar, the anger he had held back for more than two hours was vented in one go.

And Balotelli, who returned to his team's camp, was even more domineering, he was sitting cross-legged on the pitch, with a posture that the world was already clear. In the minutes that followed, he watched his side overcome England and advance to the last four of the European Championships.

In Italy, the first penalty taker has always been Andrea Pirlo, but today, even Pirlo gave Balotelli the first penalty and chose the third.

In fact, not to mention the first penalty, Balotelli can stand in front of the penalty spot, which in itself shows extraordinary courage, Balotelli, born in 1990, is one of the youngest members of the Italian team.

In the opening game of the group stage against Spain, he squandered a great one-on-one chance and was nicknamed "Thinking Life", while substitute Di Natale scored just after his debut.

The psychological shadow didn't fade until the final game of the group stage, when he scored a brilliant side volley against Ireland.

Today, Balotelli stood bravely in front of the penalty spot, Ba Shen is like this, sometimes crazy, sometimes crazy, no matter crazy or crazy, no one can stop him.

I just don't know, in the next game against the German team, will Ba Shen go crazy or crazy?

The Italians beat England on penalties to reach the last four of the European Championships, and after the game Prandelli said his side deserved to advance: "We played a really great game, we deserved to win, the whole team was very patient and created a lot of chances, we did play very well, we showed belief and confidence in the game, I want to praise the spirit of the whole team, not only played well, but also did a very good job of limiting England's counter-attack, and in the end England could only attack with long passes. And then it's much easier for us. ”

Speaking about Italy's next opponents, Germany, Prandelli said: "Germany are definitely favourites, but let's enjoy the present moment and then we start thinking about the German game. ”

Andrea Pirlo, the heart of the Italian team in this game, also said in an interview: "We have known for a long time that we can control the game, England are a very defensive team, we have seen how they performed in the group stage, we just regret that it took so long to beat them, we could have solved the battle in 90 minutes!" ”

Speaking about the semi-finals, Pirlo said: "Of course we are already thinking about playing against Germany because we already know that if we qualify they will be our next opponent and now we have to focus on the next game and keep going until we win the championship, of course! That's why we're here. ”

The Italians were celebrating their victory, while the English were on their way home to taste the bitter fruits of defeat.

England coach Roy Hodgson also looked very helpless about the penalty loss: "We fell on the penalty spot again, maybe it was really fate, we played very well in the game, but unfortunately, luck was not on our side today." ”

England captain Steven Gerrard was also saddened by the result, which is likely to be his last international tournament for England: "We didn't play to our full strength in the game, it's a sad result, we should have gone further, but we fell to the penalty spot again, I don't believe in fate, but today, we were really unlucky! ”

Gerrard doesn't believe in fate, but it's a topic that can't be avoided, there used to be a penalty nightmare in Italy, but now that nightmare has been passed on to the English.

The English want to go further, but they have to end their European Championship journey in this way, everything is fate!