ENGLAND'S big-name fans have given their verdict on the team after they lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties in heartbreaking fashion.
A host of celebrities have shared their support for a team who united a nation and made fans feel such euphoric emotions throughout the tournament.
England fans watched manager Gareth Southgate console teenager Bukayo Saka after he missed the decisive penalty, as Italy were crowned European champions.
The five brave penalty takers were praised for their courage as they took on the shoot-out against Gianluigi Donnarumma.
TV star Amanda Holden, 50, attended the final yesterday at Wembley and later shared a snap of her sitting on a moped wearing a the Three Lions football shirt.
PROUD AND BRAVE
The Britain's Got Talent star wrote: "It didn’t come home but oh my god do I feel proud of @england and #GarethSouthgate for last nights match.
"It takes balls to volunteer for penalties. A night never to forget, we came together as a nation and we still have the #worldcup next year…."
The support has been echoed throughout the country, with TV presenter Piers Morgan, 56.
The former Good Morning Britain host shared a photo of the poignant moment that Southgate consoled Saka after their devastating loss.
Piers praised the young men for having "guts" to take a penalty in a game of great importance.
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He shared: " I admire every player who steps up and shows the balls to take a penalty in a game that important. Especially when they’re just 19, 21 and 23.
"Proud of you @bukayoasak87 @sanchooo10 @marcusrashford – you missed, and we lost, but you’ve all got guts."
A UNITED COUNTRY
Popstar Adele rallied behind the England team after their heartbreaking defeat.
The singer, 33, shared a snap of her proudly wearing her England shirt and was thanked the team for bringing a country together.
She wrote: "You did us so proud! You brought our game home and brought us all together."
Meanwhile Rita Ora posed in a dressing gown writing: "Still so proud. It was a honour to watch you play. Thank you ??????? p.s excuse the mess I was working at the same time….or trying to!!?."
Manager Southgate has previously spoken about his own comeback from missing in the Euro 96 semi-final shootout and last night raced to the pitch to comfort his players.
Wembley rose to give a standing ovation to the England stars who had delivered a stunning run to the final.
GARETH'S DECISION
Speaking after the game to ITV, Southgate stated that he was taking responsibility for the defeat.
He said: “We prepared as well as we could for that, that’s my responsibility, I chose the guys to take the kicks.
“In the end we weren’t quite able to see the game through in normal time and Italy showed what an absolutely outstanding side they are.
“Our players have done themselves proud, every one of them has been exceptional. It’s the first time we’ve got to a final and we’re obviously unbelievably disappointed not to go one step further.”
Southgate revealed what he told the players before the shootout and encouraged the nation to get behind those who missed.
He continued: “Nobody is on their own in that situation, we decided to make the changes at the end of the game.
“We lose together as a team. They’ve given everything, they’ve been tight throughout and that’s how it should stay.
“That’s my decision to give [Saka] that penalty so that’s totally my responsibility, not him or Marcus or Jadon.
“We worked together in training, that was the order we came to. That's my call as a coach.”
It was almost three hours earlier that Shaw had put the Three Lions a goal up in the final.
Leonardo Bonucci levelled after the hour mark in a gruelling 120-minute game that tested both side's mental and physical stamina.
And it was the Azzurri who came out on top with a 3-2 shootout win.
Andrea Belotti failed first for Italy before Rashford narrowly missed.
Sancho's shot was saved by Donnarumma to give Jorginho the chance to win it, only for Jordan Pickford to produce his second stunning stop.
Saka had to score yet was denied by the superb Donnarumma, earning Italy their first Euros crown in 53 years.
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