England v Italy: Ecstasy turns to agony for England fans as Italy equalise in Euro 2020 final
Nails at the ready: Ecstasy turns to agony for England fans as Italy equalise leaving Three Lions supporters facing a nervy finish in the Euro 2020 final
- Beer was chucked high into the air as England scored an opening goal in the Euro 2020 final against Italy
- But England fans were left facing a nail-biting finale, after Italy equalised through defender Leonardo Bonucci
- Large crowds of England fans were this afternoon seen queuing outside pubs in London and in Brighton today
- Earlier thousands of fans waved England flags and cheered on Three Lions as they departed St. George’s Park
- The team have been based at the state of the art FA training grounds throughout the Euro 2020 tournament
- Supporters at the squad’s hotel cheered as each player stepped off their bright blue official England coach
- Fans are hoping for an historic night against Italy in what will be England’s first international final in 55 years
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
Ecstasy has turned to agony for England fans, who now face a nerve-wrecking finale to the Euro 2020 final after Italy bagged an equaliser.
Three Lions fans were in dreamland when Luke Shaw gave England an early lead inside three minutes. But 34-year-old defender Leonardo Bonucci pegged England back on 67 minutes.
The goal has set up a nail-biting finish to the match at Wembley – which has now gone into the extra time and possibly penalties. England fans were seen head-in-hands moments after Italy’s goal went in.
A nervy silence hung over Trafalgar Square as 1500 fans inside the fan zone and 1000 outside watched England cling on to reach extra time.
Personal trainer Blaine Topper, 26, from South London said: ‘I’m ultra nervous. I hope it isn’t penalties. We need to start playing and stop lumping it forward.’
It comes after ecstatic England supporters exploded with delight as left-back Shaw fired home a Kieran Trippier cross to give the Three Lions an early lead in the crunch game against the Azzurri.
Beer was chucked high into the air at pubs and fan parks across the country, as fans jumped for joy at the sight of England’s first goal – the fastest ever scored in a European Championship final.
One fan who was among the thousands of ticket-less fans camped outside of Wembley Stadium, student Jemma Lord, 18, of Hounslow, told MailOnline: ‘I’ve never experienced anything like this. My dad, who is 56, was in tears all day as there is so much hope. I hope it can go all the way and the country can go into weeks and weeks of celebration.’
Ecstasy has turned to agony for England fans, who now face a nerve-wrecking finale to the Euro 2020 final after Italy bagged an equaliser
England fans in Manchester were left in disbelief as Italy scored an equaliser, setting up a tense finale to the Euro 2020 final
England fans despair after Italy equalise in the PaddyPark fanzone beside the River Tyne, Newcastle, watching the Euro 2020 Final
England fans at the Assembly Festival Garden in Coventry were seen looking disappointed as Italy scored an equaliser
The goal has set up a nail-biting finish to the match at Wembley – pushing the game into extra time and maybe penalties. England fans were seen head-in-hands moments after Italy’s goal went in
England fans at the 4TheFans park in Manchester were left head in hands after Italy equalised in the Euro 2020 final
Fans wearing waterproof ponchos at Vinegar Yard in London were seen head-in-hands as Italy equalised in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley
Fans looked downbeat at the fan park at Trafalgar Square as England were pegged back by Italy in the Euro 2020 final
Fans in Newcastle looked distraught as Italy equalised in the Euro 2020 final, with the game now going into extra time – and possibly the dreaded penalties
England fans were head-in-hands in Boxpark, Croydon, when Italy’s goal went in with the game now in extra time
Head-in hands was the order of business as England fans were left distraught after Italy scored an equaliser against the Three Lions
England fans are dejected after Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci scores the equalising goal to level the score at 1-1 at the fan zone in Trafford Park, Manchester
At the 4TheFans fan park in Manchester, it was a nail-biting finale after Italy equalised to push the tie into extra-time
But while it was heartache for England, Italy fans were left overjoyed in Rome after the Azzurri scored an equaliser
In Trafalgar Square went wild when England scored as beer sprayed as fans celebrated England’s opening goal.
But fans fell quiet as Italy pressed late in the first half and rain soaked supporters. Fireworks boomed at half time from 1000 fans watching from outside the fan zone.
Organisers had moved supporters in the fan zone away from the upper section of Trafalgar Square as a rowdy crowd outside drank and banged the fence.
It comes as fans rushed to pubs and bars ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Huge crowds were earlier pictured outside pubs in London and Brighton, with little social distancing in sight.
At Boxpark in Croydon, lucky fans who scored tickets in a ballot were seen taking their seats prior to kick-off.
England fans also went wild on Wembley Way ahead of the match, climbing on busses and lampposts, while others packed into the official Uefa fan park at Trafalgar Square where thousands partied prior to kick-off.
Ecstatic fans exploded with delight as the left-back fired home a Kieran Trippier cross to give England an early lead in the crunch match against the Azzurri
Fans in the Beach Bar in Torquay celebrate as England open the scoring in their Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley Stadium
One England fan couldn’t believe her eyes as Luke Shaw slotted home inside three minutes to give England an early lead
Fans in Liverpool went wild when England scored the opening goal of the Euro 2020 final against Italy
England fans at Trafalgar Square could not hide their excitement as the Three Lions took an early lead through Luke Shaw’s second minute goal at Wembley
Fans in Newcastle could not believe it as England went 1-0 up in the opening minutes of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley
Beer was chucked every where at Vinegar Yard in London as fans celebrate England’s opening goal against Italy in the Euro 2020 final
An England fan jumps for joy as fans hug and hold their heads in their hands in disbelief as England take an early lead at Wembley
Fans at the 4TheFans Park in Manchester screamed for joy as England took an early lead against Italy in the Euro 2020 final
England fans in the fan zone in Trafford Park celebrate England’s early goal against Italy at Wembley
England fans jump for joy as the Three Lions take an early lead against Italy in the Euro 2020 final
Fans in the Kirby Estate – dubbed the country’s most patriotic road after hundreds of England flags were put up ahead of Euro 2020 – celebrate England’s first goal in the Euro 2020 final
It was carnage on the steps of Wembley where thousands of ticket-less fans have gathered while England play inside the stadium
England fans are in dreamland after Luke Shaw put England ahead within two minutes in their Euro 2020 final against Italy
England fans celebrate as Luke Shaw puts the Three Lions 1-0 up against Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium
Fans celebrate by lighting flares on the walls of the National Gallery as England go 1-0 up against Italy in the Euro 2020 final
Fans are soaked with beer as they hug and celebrate England’s opening goal against Italy in the final of Euro 2020
But it has been agony so far for Italy fans, seen here head in hands in Rome, after England went 1-0 up during the Euro 2020 final
More than 500 supporters clambered over fences onto the steps of the National Galllery to watch Trafalgar Square big screens, setting off red smoke flares in the process.
It comes as The British Beer & Pub Association predicts England fans will buy 7.1 million pints as they watch England’s first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup.
By the end of the competition it is estimated that £815million will have been spent in pubs and hospitality venues, with 32.6 million pints sold, according to a report by Vouchercodes.co.uk and the Centre for Retail Research.
Meanwhile, fans over the pond in America were seen watching the game from pubs in California – where it is currently the morning.
The fans, some wearing England shirts, were watching the game from the Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica today.
Huge crowds have gathered outside The Faltering Fullback pub in Finsbury Park, London, ahead of the England game tonight
Down on the south coast, a large group of England fans were seen gathered outside the King and Queen pub in Brighton, Sussex, ahead of tonight’s kick-off
It comes as The British Beer & Pub Association predicts England fans will buy 7.1 million pints as they watch England’s first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup. Pictured: England fans party on Wembley Way this afternoon
By the end of the competition it is estimated that £815million will have been spent in pubs and hospitality venues, with 32.6 million pints sold, according to a report by Vouchercodes.co.uk and the Centre for Retail Research. Pictured: Fans arrive at Wembley Way earlier today
Fans were this afternoon seen climbing polls on Wembley Way as they partied ahead of England’s game against Italy tonight
Fans brought an inflatable unicorn – similar to that used by England players in team photographs taken earlier this week – to Wembley Way this afternoon
It was a messy scene in Leicester Square this afternoon, as fans climbed on to the entrance of the tube station, while litter was scattered over the ground
England fans celebrate amid smoke from red flares set off as fans party in London ahead of England versus Italy in the Euro 2020 final
Fans in Newcastle (left) painted England flags on their faces as they prepared for kick-off at Wembley. At Boxpark in Croydon (pictured right), lucky fans who scored tickets in a ballot have taken their seats and ordered their rounds as they prepare to watch Gareth Southgate’s men take on Roberto Mancini’s Azzuri side
England fans were seen wearing lion hats – to represent the Three Lions – as they prepared to party ahead of England’s match against Italy tonight
One pub in Newcastle was packed out this afternoon as England fans rushed to take a seat ahead of tonight’s game at Wembley
England fans dance in a conga line at the Luna Springs in Birmingham ahead of England’s game against Italy at the Euro 2020 final
England fans use traffic cones to chant on Wembley Way ahead of England’s match against Italy tonight in the Euro 2020 final
England fans have even packed pubs in California! Here Three Lions supporters are seen watching the football at Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica, California
The fans in California also had the Wimbledon tennis on at the same time in The Ye Olde King’s Head Pub in Santa Monica
It’s not just England fans celebrating. Italy fans were also seen partying outside Bar Italia in Soho ahead of tonight’s game at Wembley
One Italian fan (pictured left) was seen with face paint in the Italian flag colours on Wembley Way today. Others wearing Italy tops (pictured right) were seen partying in Soho in London ahead of the match
Train journey to Wembley with a group of England ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ fans ¿. Just say some England fans got wet ¿. pic.twitter.com/FqNfrhhY63
— Paul Brown ¿¿¿¿ Browns fan¿¿ London News ¿¿Vlogger (@PaulBrown_UK) July 11, 2021
Queues of England fans dressed in white and red were this afternoon seen queuing outside the Faltering Fullback in Finsbury Park, north London, this afternoon ahead of kick-off. The pub is around 12 miles east of Wembley Stadium.
Meanwhile, down on the south coast, a large group of England fans were seen gathered outside the King and Queen pub in Brighton, Sussex, ahead of tonight’s kick-off.
It comes as rowdy England supporters climbed on top of cars and busses around Wembley Stadium this afternoon.
Dozens of fans were seen on top of a stationary 206 bus as it attempted to make its way through huge crowds crossing the road on Wembley Way this afternoon. Fans were also filmed setting off flares, including one at Victoria Station and several on Wembley Way.
In Piccadilly, which has become somewhat of an unofficial ‘fan park’ during the tournament, one fan was seen throwing himself off hoarding boards and into a waiting crowd below.
The atmosphere near the official fan zone in Trafalgar Square was lively ahead of the Euro 2020 final, with pubs packed and large crowds holding England flags and wearing shirts with Three Lions on the chest.
Fans without tickets for the fan zone also gathered in the area, and some were heard chanting and singing the national anthem.
Accountant Greg Stinson, 39, from East London, said: ‘I was at Wembley for the semi and that was rocking, but it’s almost as good here with a quality atmosphere. I’m just hoping it doesn’t go to penalties.’
Pharmacist Khai Nguyen, 34, draped in a St George’s flag, said: ‘Italy are tough but I think we can do it. Whatever happens, the team has lifted the whole country after Covid.’
Neil James, 32, from Horsham, Surrey, said: ‘I’m so fortunate to be here, I never thought I’d see anything like this in my lifetime. I can’t even comprehend the idea England could win something, I just want to drink and drink tonight, work tomorrow is on the back burner. It’s all about tonight.’
In Piccadilly, which has become somewhat of an unofficial ‘fan park’ during the tournament, one fan was seen throwing himself off hoarding boards and into a waiting crowd below
England fans in fancy-dress and sporting red and white set off flares outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the Euros final
England fans on top of a bus on Wembley Way outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the Euros clash against Italy
England fans climb aboard a bus outside the ground ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium
Female England supporters clamber onto a bus on Wembley Way outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the Euros final
England football fans pose for photos on Wembley Way before the UEFA Euros final at Wembley against Italy
Fans gather at tables in the fan zone at Trafalgar Square in London. Thousands of fans also gathered outside earlier today as the party began ahead of today’s game
England supporters in Trafalgar Square said ‘history can be made’. Ross Belton, 22, from Crawley, said: ‘This is by far one of the biggest sporting days in my lifetime, I can’t think of anything that really comes close.
‘If I ever get married it’ll have to be a pretty special service to top the feeling I have right now!’
Another, named Paul, 42, an electrician from Camden, north London, said: ‘History can be made tonight, everyone has to make the most of it because we may never see it again. It’s like Christmas, if Christmas came around every 55 years, live in the moment and celebrate like mad if we win.’
One supporter said the country ‘needed’ an international tournament win. Paul Gunder, 44, from Basingstoke, said: ‘I’ve heard all the usual stories from my dad and grandad about England winning a major tournament in 1966.
‘Obviously as years go by you begin to think it’s never happening, but suddenly here we are, in a final.
‘I know some Italians and work with them, but today is our day, we’ve needed this as a country, the last year or so has been rough. I think we’ll win it by a goal.’
Tens of thousands of fans were seen walking along Wembley Way to the stadium tonight ahead of England’s game against Italy at Wembley
Football fans gather in Leicester Square and let off flares ahead of the Euros clash with Italy at Wembley
Football fans gather in Leicester Square turn over bins, wave flags, drink and let off flares ahead of the Euros clash
Lucky fans with match tickets have also been knocking back drinks at Boxpark on Wembley Way ahead of tonight’s clash
England fans drink their beers at Boxpark Wembley today ahead of England’s match against Italy in the Euro 2020 final
It comes as thousands of England fans lined the streets to cheer on the Three Lions as they made their way to Wembley ahead of tonight’s tie.
In footage shared by the official England Twitter page Saturday, rows and rows of supporters can be seen waving England flags and cheering on the squad as they depart from St George’s Park.
One player can be heard saying: ‘You’re all the best’, while another adds, ‘Did that just happen?’
The official England account tweeted: ‘Wow, what a send off. Amazing scenes as the Three Lions depart St. George’s Park for the final time.’
England captain Harry Kane added: ‘Unreal send off. The support for the team has been incredible all tournament.’
The team have been based at St. George’s Park, around a 50-minute drive from Wembley, throughout the Euro 2020 tournament.
They have played every match at home apart from the quarter-final against Ukraine, which they won 4-0 in Rome.
Legions of fans were also seen waiting for the team as they arrived at their hotel.
Supporters erupted in cheers as each player stepped off the bright blue coach donning face masks and their official England tracksuits.
Meanwhile, Italy touched down at Luton airport before being taken to their hotel on their own team bus.
Legions of fans wave their hands in the air and cheer as the England squad makes its way from St. George’s Park to Wembley
The rows upon rows fans waved England flags and clapped as the Three Lions watched on from their coach in amazement at the support, as one player says: ‘You’re all the best.’
Fans draped themselves in the England flag and put their kids on their shoulders as they saw off the Three Lions squad on Saturday
Tyrone Mings exits the official England team coach to roars from dedicated fans as he arrives with the squad to their hotel on Saturday
Fans hold up their smartphones to take pictures and videos as the England coach arrives to the squad’s hotel on Saturday
Harry Kane arrives to the team’s hotel after tweeting: ”Unreal send off…The support for the team has been incredible all tournament.’
While they will have the crowd against them this evening, they are no strangers to Wembley, having played there twice so far this tournament.
Roberto Mancini’s side narrowly beat Austria in their first match in the UK capital before clinching victory over Spain in a penalty shoot out in the semi-final.
England fans are hoping for a historic night in what is the country’s first international final in 55 years.
