55 years after they played in their last (and only) major final at the 1966 World Cup, England have the chance to land their first major trophy since that date. Standing in the way of Gareth Southgate’s team are a formidable Italy outfit who have gone 34 games unbeaten under Roberto Mancini, setting a new national record on the way.
After what has been a dramatic and exciting tournament, the two teams will clash on Sunday evening, kick off time 8pm at Wembley Stadium in London, which just so happens to be the home ground of England.
Earlier in the day, in the early hours of Sunday morning, there is another big final in the Copa America as Brazil and Argentina clash in what should be a cracking game between the two super-powers in South American football.
The prospect of Neymar facing Lionel Messi serves as a perfect prelude to the England v
Italy game later in the day and of course, if you want to check out all the latest betting on either of these big two games, then check out what bet365 Sport has to offer with its extensive football betting options.
Alternatively, if you are more focused on the Euro final, then check out the details for the Italy v England game with bet365.
As always, you can enjoy betting on both the Copa America and Euros final in the United States with the BetRivers Sportsbook site. Available across a number of states, the site offers excellent soccer betting from competitions all over the world throughout the year.
Let’s now take a closer look at the Italy v England final on Sunday and give you a preview of the big game, as well as our top tips for the bets to back in this glittering showdown.
Euro 2020 Final – Italy v England
Two of European football’s biggest names will clash in a major final for the first time as Italy
attempt to win their second European Championship tournament against an England team seeking their first victory in the tournament and only their second major tournament win in the country’s history.
While the two teams have not met in a major final before, they have met four times in either European Championship or World Cup tournaments and the results make grim reading for England fans with Italy winning three of those games outright, and also snatching victory in the fourth on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Their most recent match up was at the 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil when goals from Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli were enough to give Italy a 2-1 win in Manaus. Daniel Sturridge scoring England’s goal.
They have met in the Euros twice before. In 1980, Italy beat England 1-0 with Marco Tardelli scoring and then they played in the 2012 tournament, drawing 0-0 in the Quarter Finals, before Italy were victorious 4-2 on penalties.
Dutchman Bjorn Kuipers will take charge of Sunday night’s game as England seek to end their finals hoodoo against the Italians. They have already broken a few under Southgate’s tenure as manager, winning a World Cup tie on penalties, beating Germany in a major finals and reaching a major final. Can they now eclipse Italy to end another?
Let’s take a look at how both teams reached the final.
Italy’s Euro 2020 Progress
- Italy 3-0 Turkey – Demiral OG (53), Immobile (68), Insigne (79)
- Italy 3-0 Switzerland – Locatelli (26,52), Immobile (89)
- Italy 1-0 Wales – Pessina (39)
Italy finished top of Group A winning all three of their matches without conceding a goal.
- Italy 2-1 Austria (aet) – Chiesa (95), Pessina (105)
- Italy 2-1 Belgium – Barella (31), Insigne (44)
- Italy 1-1 Spain (aet) – Chiesa (60) – Italy won 4-2 on penalties.
After strolling through the group stage, Italy have found things tougher in the knockout phase, especially with all of their games being played away from Rome. Austria took them to extra time in the Round of 16 before two goals in extra time meant Italy progressed.
Their best performance in the knockout phase came in the 2-1 win over Belgium but against Spain in the semifinal, after a solid start, Spain dominated the later stages of the game and probably should have won it before Italy triumphed on penalties to reach the final.
Players to have caught the eye in the tournament include keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, midfielders Nicolo Barella, Jorginho, Marco Verratti and left back Leonardo Spinazzola, who unfortunately will miss the game after an Achilles injury in the quarter final win over Belgium.
Predicted Line Up
Manager – Roberto Mancini
- Italy – (4-3-3) – Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne.
England’s Euro 2020 Progress
- England 1-0 Croatia – Sterling (57)
- England 0-0 Scotland
- England 1-0 Czech Republic – Sterling (12)
England finished top of Group D with seven points from their three games without conceding a goal.
- England 2-0 Germany – Sterling (75), Kane (86)
- England 4-0 Ukraine – Kane (4,50), Maguire (46), Henderson (63)
- England 2-1 Denmark (aet) – Kjaer OG (39), Kane (104)
England didn’t begin their Euro 2020 campaign with a bang. A narrow 1-0 win over Croatia was followed by a disappointing performance in their 0-0 draw with Scotland and they then earned a 1-0 win in their final game over the Czech Republic to win the group.
That set up an acid test Round of 16 clash with their main rivals Germany, whom England have a terrible record against, but this time the Three Lions prevailed 2-0. A very impressive 4-0 win over the Ukraine in Rome followed before a narrow victory over Denmark 2-1 in the semi final.
Raheem Sterling has been the most impressive performer for England in the tournament with Jordan Pickford, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Bakary Saka and, after a slow start, Harry Kane all impressing too. Jack Grealish has also had some exciting moments when on the field.
Predicted Line Up
Manager – Gareth Southgate
- England – (4-2-3-1) – Pickford, Walker, Shaw, Maguire, Stones, Phillips, Rice, Mount, Saka, Sterling, Kane
Euro 2020 Final Tips
So who is going to win the game? Italy do seem to have the hoodoo over England in major
tournaments and they are on a very long unbeaten run. That does suggest an Italy win. However, there is real belief in this England side that they could go all the way and with the final being at Wembley, they will never have a better chance to end 55 years without a trophy.
As such, I am backing England to land the win and these are my three main tips for the game.
- England to win and both teams to score – Yes – 11/2
- Correct Score – England 2-1 Italy – 11/1
- Anytime Goalscorer – Harry Kane (England) – 8/5