And then there were two. The knockout rounds of Euro 2020 are now over and there are two teams, England and Italy, who are still standing. Both have played somewhat contrasting brands of football. Italy’s fast pace and quick moving football lies in contrast to England’s safety-first, solid and efficient style. However, what cannot be denied is that the styles have worked for both teams. The final, however, is always a different proposition altogether. It isn’t merely about playing the opposition, but of dealing with intense pressure. Both teams will be well aware of this and will look to rise above it and be crowned champions.
As we get set for the final, we take a look at some key statistics going into the match.
Euro 2020 Final key stats
- This will be Italy’s fourth Euro final, and their record in summit clashes isn’t the best – one win and two losses. By contrast, this is England’s maiden appearance in a Euro final.
- This is also England’s first major tournament final since 1966, when they won the World Cup on home soil. This year’s final is, coincidentally, also being played at Wembley.
- Italy’s last final appearance came in 2012, which saw them trounced 4-1 by Spain. This was the heaviest margin of defeat in a Euro final.
- Interestingly, there are five players – Jorginho, Emerson, Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell and Reece James – who can join an elite list of players to have won the Champions League and Euros in the same season. The others are Luis Suárez (1964, Internazionale Milano and Spain), Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Berry van Aerle, Gerald Vanenburg (1988, PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands), Fernando Torres, Juan Mata (2012, Chelsea and Spain) and Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe (2016, Real Madrid and Portugal).
- England and Italy have clased 27 times over the years. England have won 10 of those while Italy have won 13. However, the last time these two sides met in a tournament – the World Cup group stage match in 2014 – it was the Azzurri who ran out 2-1 winners.
- Their last match before this was in 2018, which was a 1-1 draw played out at Wembley.
- The last time these two sides met in the Euros was in the 2012 quarterfinals. Italy ran out 4-2 winners on penalties, and the match is largely remembered for Andrea Pirlo successfully employing a Panenka style penalty to in the shootout.
- The last time England beat Italy in a competitive fixture was 1978! Since then, England have gone 6 matches (D2, L4) without a win vs Italy.
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