Italy hands England shoot out heartache

International Sports

Joe Hart is sent the wrong way as Alessandro Diamanti slots home the winning penalty.ROY HODGSON'S men were left to pick up pieces after suffering more heartache from the penalty spot against the Italians this evening.

England had practised for the eventuality of penalties in the run-up to their quarter-final clash, but once again they were left to reflect on what could have been.

Alessandro Diamanti, who had come on as a substitute, made no mistake and converted the decisive spot-kick that enabled the Azzurri to set up a mouth-watering clash against Germany.

England had exceeded all expectations going into the game, firstly by topping then group and then of course booking their place in the last eight.

And in a breathless encounter, England more than played their part.

But it was the Italians who gave England their first real scare, when Daniel de Rossi cracked a swerving volley without the outside of the boot that beat Joe Hart, but crashed against the post.

Glen Johnson nearly put England ahead, but after connecting with James Milner's cross, he was foiled by Gianluigi Buffon, who stuck out a strong hand to palm the ball to safety.

Mario Balotelli was quite jovial in the build-up to the game, talking about how he was going to have "fun" against Roy Hodgson's men. He nearly profited in the 25th minute, when Riccardo Montolivo clipped a ball into his path, but he was stopped in his tracks by John Terry who snuffed out the danger.

Joe Hart was the busier of the two keepers, and he denied Balotelli in the 41st minute, by turning his shot round the post.

England looked to be outplayed, but tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Multiple substitutions were unable to change the complexion of the game, albeit Theo Walcott looked lively.