England v Italy: Fans explode with delight as Three Lions take early lead in Euro 2020 final

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England fans are in dreamland after Luke Shaw put England ahead within two minutes in their Euro 2020 final against Italy. 

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.

It comes as fans rushed to pubs and bars ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Huge crowds were earliier 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. 

Even luckier fans with match tickets were also knocking back drinks at Boxpark on Wembley Way ahead of the game, while others packed into the official Uefa fan park at Trafalgar Square.

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.

However fans drinking outside will now have to brave the rain, with showers beginning to fall, particularly over north London – something that could also impact on tonight’s match at Wembley.

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. 

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 is 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 are also gathered in the area, and some can be 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.’ 

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.’

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. 

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.