With Europe needing four points from Sunday’s 12 singles matches to defeat the US, Tommy Fleetwood won the 11th game to reach the requisite 1412.

And, with hundreds of spectators crowding around the 18th green, Ireland’s Shane Lowry cruised to a 1612-1112 victory.

“It looked good early on, but then it looked like it could be a bad day,” Europe captain Donald said to BBC Sport.

“Our boys hung in there like I expected them to. The first two days were critical in establishing our lead.

“The Americans are so strong in singles, but we had 12 players.” Everyone pitched in. I adore these people – you need your superstars to perform, and they did.

“I’ve put everything into it and I’m just so glad they were able to win.”

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It extends Europe’s unbroken home record to 30 years and means the host team has won the last five Ryder Cups.

“Europe and Luke played great and earned it,” US captain Zach Johnson said before accepting responsibility for their failure, admitting he had “made some poor decisions.”

“It’s quite simple, we got outplayed,” he stated. “We demonstrated grit and heart, and things got interesting out there.” It had ebbs and flows, and it had momentum. “I’m very proud of my guys.”

Donald’s watchword all week had been “fast start,” and his team had delivered on Friday and Saturday, winning both morning sessions 4-0 and 3-1 as Europe built a 1012-512 lead heading into Sunday.

And the Englishman, who won all four Ryder Cups he played in, packed the top singles matches with his strongest players.

The strategy appeared to be working, as European blue dominated the scoreboards, leading in five of the top six matches, much to the joy of the estimated 55,000 fans at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

The first point was given by world number four Viktor Hovland, who raced three up after six against Collin Morikawa before winning 4&3.

But it was the top match that provided the most drama.

World number three Jon Rahm was competing against top-ranked American Scottie Scheffler in a heavyweight match that was a microcosm of the Ryder Cup, ebbing and flowing as the tide shifted between the duo.

Rahm led by two after five holes, but Scheffler responded with three birdies in the following six holes to take the lead after 11.

Rahm birdied the next two to restore the lead, and Scheffler reacted with consecutive birdies of his own to claim the next two.

However, the American was unable to deliver the game-winning blow, missing from 15 feet on the 17th.

And when Rahm cosied a putt from approximately 60 feet to six inches on the last, it was enough to gain a half point, put Europe ahead 12-6, and ensure he ended unblemished after four matches.

World number two Rory McIlroy and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton each gained two additional points, with the Northern Irishman finishing as Europe’s highest points scorer with four from five matches, and Hatton with three and a half.

Neither player trailed as they defeated Sam Burns and Open winner Brian Harman, respectively, to put Europe on the verge of reclaiming the trophy they lost so badly at Whistling Straits in 2021.