Italy beat England in a penalty shootout to win the European soccer championship on Sunday, dashing England’s hopes of winning its first major title since the 1966 World Cup.

The shootout was a dramatic conclusion to a gripping day at London’s Wembley Stadium, and to a monthlong tournament that overcame a one-year pandemic delays and dozens of positive tests and innumerable public health concerns on its way to a final, scintillating day in London.

The final was worth the wait: It saw an early England goal by Luke Shaw, a second-half response from Leonardo Bonucci and then a whirlwind of highs and lows, misses and makes, before Italy prevailed in the shootout, 3-2.

Gianluigi Donnarumma dived to his left and saved the decisive spot kick by Bukayo Saka, England’s third straight failure from the penalty spot in the shooutout in front of its own fans at Wembley Stadium.

It was less than four years ago that the Italians plunged to the lowest moment of its soccer history by failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in six decades. Now, they are the best team in Europe and on a national-record 34-match unbeaten run under Roberto Mancini, their suave coach.

England was playing in its first major final in 55 years. It’s the latest heartache in shootouts at major tournaments, after defeats in 1990, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2006 and 2012.

England went ahead in the second minute when Luke Shaw scored the fastest goal in a European Championship final. Leonardo Bonucci equalized in the 67th.