Italy and England will meet in the UEFA EURO 2020 final at Wembley on Sunday.
London police have urged England fans not to travel to London without tickets or bookings to watch the Euro 2020 final on Sunday between England and Italy to help combat the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Large crowds of supporters are expected to gather in the capital on Sunday as Gareth Southgate’s side goes up against Italy for a historic chance at the European cup.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor on Saturday pleaded with ticketless fans to stay home and away from Wembley Stadium.
“If you don’t have a ticket to the matches, fan zone or officially booked into a pub, bar or club, my message is clear — please do not come to London,” Taylor said in a video message posted to Twitter.
Taylor warned there will be a “big policing response in place” before and during the game against Italy, in which England will play in the final of a major international soccer tournament for the first time since 1966.
About 60,000 fans will be allowed into Wembley for the final. Ticketholders aged 11 or over need to prove they are fully vaccinated.
How they got there, top scorers, pedigree, key players and the coaches – all you need to know about UEFA EURO 2020 finalists Italy and England.
ITALY
Group A results
11/06: Turkey 0-3 Italy (Rome)
16/06: Italy 3-0 Switzerland (Rome)
20/06: Italy 1-0 Wales (Rome)
Round of 16
26/06:Italy 2-1 Austria (aet) (London)
Quarter-final
02/07: Belgium 1-2 Italy (Munich)
Semi-finals
06/07: Italy 1-1 Spain (aet, Italy win 4-2 on pens) (London)
Top scorers
Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Manuel Locatelli, Matteo Pessina (2 goals)
Qualifying
Group J record: P10 W10 D0 L0 F37 A4
Qualifying top scorer: Andrea Belotti (5)
Pedigree
UEFA EURO best: winners (1968)
UEFA EURO semis: W3 L1 (1968, 2000, 2012; 1988)
UEFA EURO finals: W1 L2 (1968; 2000, 2012)
UEFA EURO 2016: quarter-finals, lost 6-5 to Germany on penalties after 1-1 draw
Coach: Roberto Mancini
One of the best forward players of his generation, though never that lucky with the Azzurri, Mancini is eager to sparkle as an international coach after winning club trophies in Italy, England and Turkey, and has made a pretty good start.
Key player: Jorginho
In the Italy camp they call him Radio Jorginho because he is constantly talking during games, always directing his team-mates. If you are looking for spectacular tricks or stunning goals, you should look somewhere else, but Jorginho is the real brains behind this Azzurri team, an indispensable orchestra conductor – and, as his decisive kick in the semi-final shoot-out win against Spain showed, he’s not bad from the penalty spot either.
One to watch: Nicolò Barella
The box-to-box midfielder holds the key to Mancini’s formation. Sardinian-born and now a key part of Inter’s Serie A-winning side, the 24-year-old really is the full package, bringing tackling, technique, lots of energy and dangerous, well-timed runs into the opposition box.
Did you know?
In the course of this tournament, Italy have broken their records for a longest winning streak (13) and unbeaten run (currently 33).
ENGLAND
Group D results
13/06: England 1-0 Croatia (London)
18/06: England 0-0 Scotland (London)
22/06: Czech Republic 0-1 England (London)
Round of 16
29/06: England 2-0 Germany (London)
Quarter-finals
03/07: Ukraine 0-4 England (Rome)
Semi-finals
07/07: England 2-1 Denmark (aet) (London)
Top scorer
Harry Kane (4 goals)
Qualifying
Group A record: P8 W7 D0 L1 F37 A6
Qualifying top scorer: Harry Kane (12)
Pedigree
UEFA EURO best: third place (1968)
UEFA EURO semis: W0 L2 (1968, 1996)
UEFA EURO finals: N/A
UEFA EURO 2016: round of 16, lost 2-1 to Iceland
Coach: Gareth Southgate
His four major tournaments as a player included EURO ’96, and a famous semi-final penalty miss against Germany. As manager he has changed the mood around England, leading the team to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and now the final of EURO 2020, beating Germany on the way, no less.
Key player: Harry Kane
England’s captain and talismanic 38-goal striker has rediscovered his scoring touch at the perfect moment in this EURO – and now stands level with Gary Lineker as the nation’s highest tournament goalscorer (with ten goals).
One to watch: Bukayo Sako
Had only four caps entering June, but the 19-year-old has been a revelation, forcing his way into Southgate’s side with his efforts on the training pitch. His penetrating run led to the winner against the Czechs on his first EURO outing while against Denmark, his speedy surges kept the dangerous Joakim Mæhle on the back foot.
Did you know?
England have lost just two of 28 Wembley home games under Southgate – against Spain and Denmark (in the UEFA Nations League).
Source: UEFA EURO 2020 and inputs from agencies
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