CHEERS turned to tears as England suffered Euro 2020 final heartbreak at Wembley.

Gareth Southgate's side took an early lead against Italy with left-back Luke Shaw firing home.

However, Leonardo Bonucci equalised for the Italians midway through the second half before going on to win 3-2 on penalties.

And that left football fans watching the action across south-Essex heartbroken.

Close to 1,500 supporters tracked the action on a giant screen at Southend United's Roots Hall home.

But, despite the disappointment, England fan Scott Wheeler was keen to try and remain as upbeat as possible.

"It does hurt but when you take time to reflect you have to remember we aren't a team that regularly win trophies," said Wheeler.

"This team has done incredibly well to get to this stage and unfortunately penalties come down to the luck of the draw really.

"We weren't on the right side of that unfortunately but this team will be back and I believe this is just the start."

England missed three of their five penalties with Marcus Rashford hitting a post and Gianluigi Donnarumma denying Jadon Sancho before Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka also saw the Italian custodian keep out his spot-kick.

Harry Kane and Harry Maguire scored for England but, while Jordan Pickford kept hopes alive by denying both Andrea Belotti and Jorginho, Domenico Berardi, Bonucci and Federico Bernardeschi scored for Italy to quieten the crowd.

But Chris Steele, another fan to be watching at Roots Hall, felt England should be proud of reaching their first major final since 1966.

"I thought it was another great performance by the lads," said Steele.

"We just got outdone at the final hurdle by a very experienced Italian team.

"It's tough to take but the boys should hold their heads high."

Echo:

Excited - fans watch on from Billericay Town last night Picture: NICKY HAYES

England had excited the nation on their way to the final and had a trio of former Southend United players in Southgate's backroom team.

Chris Powell, Graeme Jones and Martyn Margetson had all been working closely alongside the former Crystal Palace defender.

But the Three Lions fell agonisingly short with the Italians getting their hands on the trophy.

As a result, fans trudged home from Southend in a dejected frame of mind but Charlie Blissett was another fan keen to praise Southgate's side.

"I'm really proud of the run we've been on," said Blissett.

"I think we have a team of future stars but this year it just wasn't to be."

Attention will now turn towards next year's World Cup. And Ryan Creasey - another to be watching at Roots Hall - is confident England can do well in Qatar.

"It was a great journey to be part of," said Creasey.

"It's a shame we couldn't go all the way but this team will only get better."