That’s it, then. It isn’t coming home. Instead England as a nation is. Back home to that old, familiar sensation of a weighty, crushing disappointment.

Back home to a sense of what might have been. Back home to staring at the wall in a dimly-lit room in a quiet moment later this evening, replaying the critical moments, asking different questions from those in the past but all of them along a similar theme.

An understandably gutted Harry Kane spoke after the game. He touched on the penalty shootout, what went wrong and how England will reflect on a wonderful tournament saying:

There is, at least, no sense of what might have been. Nothing to close your eyes and dream about. No sight left unseen. Not even a ball left unkicked. It was all there. The whole game played out.

And that is all that any England football fan has ever really wanted, for as long as any of them can really remember. And make no mistake about it: Gareth, you are very much the one. Good grief you’ve turned us on. Italy are European champions, but football has come home again.

Prince William has described England’s Euro 2020 defeat as “heartbreaking”, telling the team: “You can all hold your heads high, and be so proud of yourselves.”

“England, you’ve all come so far, but sadly this time it wasn’t our day.”

Another oh so near, and the most painful yet. England’s wait will go on to at least 56 years as Italy seize the moment, and the game, to lift their second European Championship.

That it was penalties, and the element that Gareth Southgate was supposed to address more than any other, only added to the anguish. That it was Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka only added to the unfairness of it in terms of emotion - not that Italy will see it like that. They more than deserved their win.

Italy beat England on penalties to win the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. The 55-year wait for a major tournament trophy goes on.

Leonardo Spinazzola leads Italy up to the podium to collect their winners medals. He limps onto the stage on his crutches after his injury in the quarter-finals.

Roberto Mancini and Giorgio Chiellini bring up the rear. Chiellini comes last, he takes the trophy carries it across to his victorious teammates and lifts it into the air.

The confetti goes off.

Italy are the European Champions!

The Italian players give Gareth Southgate and England a guard of honour as they come up to collect their silver medals. It’s a heartbreaking moment for them but one they’ll learn from.

The Henri Delaunay cup is brought out for the trophy ceremony. The officials come up first to collect their medals. We can all agree that the standard of refereeing has been top quality throughout this tournament.