In light of the sheer magnitude of this fixture (England’s first major tournament final for 55 years) I didn’t think it’d be a bad idea to create a separate thread. This is a mega fixture.
When: July 11, 8 p.m.
Where: Wembley Stadium, London (capacity: 90,000, attendance capped at 60,000)
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands)
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 27
England wins: 8
Draws: 8
Italy wins: 11
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
2018 England 1-1 Italy International friendly
2015 Italy 1-1 England International friendly
2014 England 1-2 Italy World Cup
2012 England 2-1 Italy International friendly
2012 England 0-0 Italy European Championship (Italy won quarter-final 4-2 on penalties)
PENALTY SHOOTOUT RECORD
England: Nine shootouts - W3, L6
Italy: 12 shootouts - W5, L7
KEY STATS
This is Italy’s 10th major final (six World Cups, four Euros), with only Germany (14) having played in more among European nations.
This will be England’s first ever appearance in a Euro final and their first in the final of a major tournament since winning the 1966 World Cup – the longest gap (55 years) between major finals (World Cup or Euros) for any European nation.
Italy have never lost against England at a major tournament (W3 D1). The Azzurri won 1-0 at Euro 1980, 2-1 at both the 1990 and 2014 World Cups and won 4-2 on penalties at Euro 2012 after a goalless draw.
Italy are unbeaten in their last 33 matches in all competitions (W27 D6), scoring 86 goals and conceding 10 during the run. This is their longest unbeaten stretch of matches.
England have won 15 of their last 17 matches at Wembley (D1 L1), scoring 46 goals and conceding five in that run. They are unbeaten in their last 12 matches in all competitions (W11 D1).
No team has won two penalty shootouts at the same Euro tournament.
Too close to call for me, think both teams will go into it fancying their chances.
Certainly makes it a bigger occasion playing against a team like Italy who have seen it all before in the final. Just hope we don’t freeze due the pressure of it all.
Either way win or lose I can’t wait, biggest game I can remember!
Italy gameplan and discipline is stronger but if Southgate is braver from the bench earlier than the semi final England will win.
He’s holding the game changing aces but he has to adjust to being proactive first.
Yeah it’s a cliche but this game very much feels as if first goal will be vital. It will likely be a very cagey affair though, doubt we’ll see a high scoring match
Properly, properly nervous about this. When I was a kid there was a holy trinity of things I wanted to see happen in football.
Arsenal win the Champions Leagur
England win the World Cup or Euros
Dover Athletic get promoted into the football league.
The only one I’ve got close to before was the first one. Let’s hope it doesn’t go like 2006, after all you’d fancy Jordan Pickford to get himself sent off after ten minutes
We can do it, it just remains to be seen if we will.
Come on England!! 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
Such a good OP and then you stumbled the final hurdle when making the poll, failing to include options for both sides winning in extra time, and then committing the cardinal sin of not making how people voted public.
First final in 55 years and you’ve basically just fucking ruined it.
