England fans stunned by Italy equaliser but pick themselves up to roar on the lads at historic Euro 2020 final

ENGLAND fans have been stunned by an Italy equaliser in the Euro 2020 final.

Supporters have been belting out It’s Coming Home as the Three Lions take on Italy in our biggest game in 55 years.

Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog

PAEngland fans react to Italy’s equalising goal[/caption]

PAItaly scored after England took an early lead[/caption]

AFPFans react to England’s perfect start[/caption]

Peter PowellEngland fans went wild after Luke Shaw’s early goal[/caption]

PAEngland took an early 1-0 lead[/caption]

GuzelianSupporters embrace after England’s early goal[/caption]

Peter PowellSupporters are hoping tonight’s game ends 55 years of hurt[/caption]

PAFans went bananas as England took the lead[/caption]

ReutersLuke Shaw gave England the perfect start after scoring within the first two minutes[/caption]

Fullback Luke Shaw gave England the perfect start to the final, scoring in the first two minutes – sending the crowd into raptures.

Captain Harry Kane fired a pass to Kieran Trippier who then sent in a cross to Shaw – resulting in the fastest ever goal in a Euros final.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was hardly troubled as England held on to their lead at halftime.

However defender Leonardo Bonucci poached one back for Italy in the second half, tapping in an equaliser after a messy corner.

After Shaw’s early goal, Prince George celebrated wildly alongside his footie-mad dad William and mum Kate.

Supporters in the Trafalgar Square fan zone cheered every block or defensive move from the Three Lions as the Italians created a number of chances in the second stanza.

Tension reached fever pitch before kick-off as a giant replica Euros trophy was wheeled into the centre of the hallowed Wembley turf.

But the highlight of the tournament’s closing ceremony was a dramatic red, white and blue flypast by the Red Arrows.

Three quarters of the stadium was a sea of red and white as lionhearts packed the stadium, where capacity was reduced to 65,000 amid Covid restriction easing.

Smoke has filled the air as flares were let off outside the stadium and in London’s Leicester Square with fans flooding the streets.

A smattering of rain at the fan zone in Trafalgar Square has failed to dampen the spirits of the passionate supporters in attendance.

It comes as…

Boris Johnson and Carrie roared with delight as the Three Lions took the leadLucky charm Prince George went wild and hugged Kate as England scored in the 2nd minuteGlam WAGS, including Harry Maguire’s fiancee Fern Hawkins and Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan Davison, arrived at Wembley to cheer on the Three LionsRAF Red Arrows flew over Wembley to cheer on England just before they take to the fieldEager fans rushed the barriers at Wembley stadium and pushed past barricades hours before kick-off

Excited Three Lions supporters are also roaring from the top of buses as the air crackles with anticipation.

An England fan near to Trafalgar Square, James Heath, 26, from Lewisham, south London, said: “This is absolutely the biggest day of your life if you are an England fan – nothing is bigger.

“I reckon a massive party needs to happen if we win and even if we lose – everyone should be massively proud of this country.

“Let’s just hope it comes home, to do it over a big nation like Italy would be the cherry on top.”

England supporters could be seen carrying boxes of alcohol around Trafalgar Square.

Fans walked the streets with St George’s flags painted on their faces.

Neil Rose, 23, a student from Stratford, east London, said: “I don’t care about tickets or anything like that.

“I’m here to drink, have a laugh and watch England make history.

“After the year everyone has had, that’s what we deserve.”

England fan Kate Genery, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, said ahead of the game: “I’m feeling very pumped for the whole tournament. I’m riding on that wave.

“Considering with Covid-19, everyone’s had a s****y year. You can sense a real buzz in London today, it’s like something is about to pop.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tonight urged the team to bring it home, tweeting: “This team has already made history and lifted the spirits of the country. Tonight, they can lift the trophy too.

“On behalf of the entire nation, good luck England and bring it home.”

NNPItaly poached a goal back after half time[/caption]

Rick FindlerA fan celebrates at Trafalgar Square[/caption]

GuzelianEngland fans in Leeds celebrate the first goal[/caption]

AlamyEngland fans celebrated the early goal[/caption]

GettyEngland fans are hoping 55 years of hurt ends tonight[/caption]

ReutersAn England fan dressed as a knight climbed a stoplight in Trafalgar Square[/caption]

The SunPrince George celebrated England’s early goal alongside his footie-mad dad William and mum Kate[/caption]

Riot police try to control disorderly behaviour as fans gather in Westminster

RexAn excited England fan at Boxpark in Croydon, south London[/caption]

NNPEngland fans are out in force across the country today[/caption]

Ben McDonald, 19, attended The Lightning Seeds gig with David Baddiel and Frank Skinner at the 229 music venue in central London today.

He said: “I came for the live music. It’s been so long, and I love The Lightning Seeds, but the atmosphere with the football fans is really fun. You can definitely feel something building up.”

The 229 venue became a sea of St George flags as the crowd cheered along to Frank Skinner and David Baddiel and The Lightning Seeds’ rendition of Three Lions.

Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick as England won the 1966 World Cup Final, introduced comedians Skinner and Baddiel on to the stage as the crowd became ecstatic with cheers, screams and jumping along to the tune.

The mood was jubilant as the crowd danced along. England chants continued after the song was done and the audience broke out into a chorus of Sweet Caroline.

An England fan in central London said even a loss is “something to drink to”.

Simon Brown, 36, from London, told PA that he believes England “has done well to get to the finals”.

He said: “I think after coronavirus everyone just wants a reason to be happy and we all got behind it. Even if we don’t get through – we’ve done well to get to the finals. I’ll drink to that.

“I think England will win. You’ve got to get behind the team – you’ve got to. We’ve got the home advantage and the crowd will be behind them. It’s now or never.”

Mr Brown also said that while it was difficult to find a place to watch the game, he and his friend have managed to book a bar in Chiswick.

He added: “It would be a shame if they lose because the atmosphere is so good and everyone’s so happy and that would definitely dent it. But we’ll see.”

Gagz Cheema, 35, from London, thinks that “realistically, England won’t win”.

She said: “To be fair to get this far is such an achievement, so it’s worth celebrating anyways.

“If they do win, we’ll celebrate with tequila shots.”

At Trafalgar Square, James Butler, 25, from Neasden, north-west London, said: “The atmosphere is absolutely buzzing, the fans are buzzing and I am buzzing.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I just hope the lads can bring it home.”

King’s Cross St Pancras train station in London was temporarily closed today after smoke from flares set off by England fans went inside.

Hollywood star Tom Cruise has said he will be cheering on England tonight and doesn’t care what the score is “as long as England win”.

The actor will watch the match at Wembley tonight after attending the men’s final at Wimbledon.

NNPEngland fans in Newcastle celebrate Luke Shaw’s goal[/caption]

PAWembley Way was full of England fans hours before kick off[/caption]

AFPA man jumps from the Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus[/caption]

ReutersFans celebrate at Boxpark in Croydon, South London[/caption]

PAFans watching the game from the Vinegar Yard in London[/caption]

GettyFans celebrate England’s early goal at the fan zone in Trafalgar Square[/caption]

Cruise told The Sun: “I’ll be cheering on England later. I’m heading to watch it after the tennis.

“I don’t care what the score is as long as England win. Come on England!”

Football mad Cruise has also taken time out of his busy filming schedule to wish Harry Kane and the rest of the team good luck before tonight’s Euro 2020 final.

Rowdy England fans were encourage to “take the roof off” by hyped-up announcers at the Euro 2020 fan zone at Trafalgar Square.

Meanwhile councils fenced off areas to stop a repeat of wild celebrations that have erupted during the Three Lions’ successful campaign.

A busy square in Manchester that was the centre of euphoric scenes following England’s semi-final win against Denmark is closed off.

A small minority of fans were seen rushing in to Wembley ahead of tonight’s game.

Dozens of fans were filmed running into the main entrance to Club Wembley after apparently breaking a security cordon.

RexCrowds of England fans have gathered ahead of tonight’s game[/caption]

PAEngland fans on top of a bus in London[/caption]

PAFans are packing out Wembley[/caption]

Elliott FranksTwo England fans enjoy a bottle of rose at Wembley[/caption]

After a bleak year that saw Euro 2020 delayed by 12 months, the Three Lions’ impressive run through the tournament has finally given the nation hope.

Excitement simmering under the surface has now exploded as supporters come together to celebrate the success of the team.

Flags flying from windows and chants of Football’s Coming Home have echoed across England as fans prove they still believe after 55 years of hurt.

Many have seen this tournament as Gareth Southgate’s redemption after his saved penalty saw England crash out of Euro 96.

The gaffer has now one-upped every Three Lions manager since Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966 by guiding his team to a spot in the final of a major competition.

His hardworking squad have become national heroes after shunning pubs and parties for swimming pool inflatables and golf.

Southgate said “phenomenal” support at Wembley and across the nation had made a huge difference.

He added: “It’s not an experience we have had for a long time.

“The players are feeling that warmth, connection and that energy.”

Even the Queen has shared her support for our boys – evoking the spirit of 1966 when she handed the World Cup to England Captain Bobby Moore after the 4-2 win over Germany.

Addressing the letter to Southgate, the monarch said: “55 years ago I was fortunate to present the World Cup to Bobby Moore and saw what it meant to the players, management and support staff to reach and win the final of a major international football tournament.

“I want to send my congratulations and that of my family to you all on reaching the final of the European Championships, and send my good wishes for tomorrow with the hope that history will record not only your success but also the spirit, commitment, and pride with which you have conducted yourselves.”