As Italy take on England in the UEFA Euro 2020 final, at Wembley Stadium, the 33-game unbeatable Azzurri (33 games) come face-to face with the Three Lions – who, themselves, have only conceded once throughout the whole tournament.
Have met on 27 previous occasions the 4-times World Cup winners hold the edges in the head-to-head meetings - Italy with ten victories to England's eight. With very little to separate them again when they reconvene for tonight’s, after two epic semi-finals, London now hosts a decider which, for the first time in the competition’s history, will feature the host. After hurdled Germany, Ukraine and, in extra time, Denmark to earn their chance to end ‘55 years of hurt,’ Italy, who beat Spain on penalties in their own thrilling semi-final, are looking to lift the trophy for the first time since their only previous success – in 1968.
They (Italy) didn’t even qualify for the 2018 World Cup, in Russia, but are more than ready for what promises to be an epic encounter of two of the most refreshing, entertaining and passionate teams who both are deserved of their respective positions as the two best teams in what has been an ‘epic’ Euro 2020 – despite their, and the competition it self’s myriad of complications (some of which, mainly, i.e. the weirdly distanced venue that only some had to undertake) this, the zenith of a month of continent-wide encounters is set to be the best yet.
The Queen recalled the 1966 World Cup victory as she wished the England team well saying that she hoped that history would record the team's success but also the spirit, commitment and pride with which you have conducted yourselves. The monarch said she had seen what it meant to the players to win a major tournament 55 years ago.
Her Royal Highnesses’ message reads: “Fifty-five years ago I was fortunate to present the World Cup to Bobby Moore and saw what it meant to the players, management and support staff to reach and win the final of a major international football tournament.
“I want to send my congratulations and that of my family to you all on reaching the final of the European Championships, and send my good wishes for the game, with the hope that history will record not only your success but also the spirit, commitment and pride with which you have conducted yourselves.”
Southgate responded, saying: "It has been fantastic to have the letter from the Queen and the prime minister to all of the team - and the recognition the players have gone about this in the right way. But we're in a final and we're here to win. Now we want to go and bring the trophy home."
So, for Southgate and Mancini, Sterling and Jorginho, Kane and Di Lorenzo, and the rest, all is set for a showdown that will captivate two of football’s most passionate, adoring, and demanding of fans for this – a final deserved of its elevated stature.
As a footnote, UEFA has fined the English FA following incidents during the country’s win over Denmark after television pictures showed a green light on Danish keeper Jasper Schmeichel's face just before Harry Kane took an extra-time penalty.
The Football Association has been fined 30,000 euros (£26,600) for three incidents during the tie including a laser pointer being shone at the Leicester City keeper’s face. The FA and UEFA officials searched for the source of the laser pointer when they were first made aware of it being used during the first half of extra time. However, they were unable to find those responsible.
Italy v. England kicks-off at 20:00 (GMT).