Italy 0 England 0: Hodgson’s men bow out of Euro 2012 on penalties

After Mario Balotelli’s talk of Peter Pan, the semi-finals of a major tournament are becoming the equivalent of Never Never Land for the Three Lions.

Six times now they have lost in such fashion, the last four at this stage of the competition.

Tonight it was the turn of Ashley Young and Ashley Cole to join the unhappy list of those whose nerve failed them when it mattered.

Both men needed consoling as Italy began their celebrations as, outplayed for long periods of an absorbing game, all England’s defensive effort proved in vain.

It means Italy march onto Thursday’s semi-final with Germany in Warsaw and leaves Roy Hodgson to pick the bones from an otherwise impressive tournament in time for next autumn’s World Cup qualifiers.

For the full match report read Sports Monday, free inside the Yorkshire Post.