Soccer-England players must be proud but penalty takers my call - Southgate

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - Final - Italy v England - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 11, 2021 England manager Gareth Southgate Pool via REUTERS/Andy Rain

LONDON (Reuters) - England coach Gareth Southgate said England's players must be proud of their achievements and shouldered the blame for the country suffering more penalty shootout heartache in Sunday's Euro 2020 final shootout defeat by Italy at Wembley.

Luke Shaw gave England a dream start with the earliest ever goal in a European Championship final, but Leonardo Bonucci levelled in the second half to force extra time before Southgate's men lost 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.