According to Metro UK, Southgate's decision to give 19-year-old Bukayo Saka the all-important fifth penalty of the shootout left many in the team shell-shocked at the time, with some feeling a more experienced player should have been asked to take it.
The Arsenal forward, and the Manchester United duo of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford failed to convert their spot-kicks in the shootout, seeing Italy emerge victorious as they clinched a 3-2 win on penalties.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Southgate's controversial decision to choose Saka for that fifth penalty was based on the players' performances from the spot in training last season, with the results of those sessions said to have been monitored and logged.
In the aftermath of the final, Saka, Rashford, and Sancho all reportedly suffered racial abuse online, although many have since jumped to the defence of the three stars.
Saka and company were immediately consoled by their teammates and Southgate as Italy celebrated their triumph on Suinday night, with the Three Lions coach taking much of the blame for the result, admitting that it was he who made the call as to who took the penalties.
