Gleneagles, Scotland. (CNN) -- In the end, there would be no gazumping at Gleneagles.
Try as it might, Team USA couldn't pull off its own miracle, having suffered the ultimate Ryder Cup indignity two years ago at Medinah in Chicago when leading 10-6 going into Sunday.
Led by its talisman Rory McIlroy — the world number one — Europe saw off a brave challenge from those in red to retain the trophy by a scoreline of 16½-11½.
It was the continent's third straight victory, it's eighth in the last 10, and one that will provoke searching questions for United States captain Tom Watson.
His European counterpart Paul McGinley will be subject to no such inquisition, universally lauded by his players and serenaded by a vibrant Scottish crowd once his triumph was rubber-stamped.
Rookie Jamie Donaldson secured the clinching point by beating Keegan Bradley, sparking an invasion of the 15th green by cameramen, photographers and a jubilant European team.
"The European team played better than we did," captain Watson said. "It would have been a tough go to beat them this week but t just didn't work out."
The United States, trailing 10-6 overnight and no doubt with thoughts of emulating Europe, who had won from an identical position at Medinah two years ago, made a strong start to the 12 singles matches, turning the early scoreboards red.
But slowly the Europeans turned it around, with crucial wins for McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer before Donaldson took the final glory.
He chose the right moment to produce the "the wedge shot of my life" to within a foot of the flag at the 15th to spark scenes of wild celebration in the packed galleries, a feature all week at a classic setting in Perthshire in Scotland.
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