In Pictures: Frenzied fans ready for football final

PA
Updated

Across England, football fans have been savouring the run-up to a game that could see the country crowned champions of Europe.

Houses have been bedecked with flags amid a surge in demand for England-themed paraphernalia and thousands descended on pubs and fan zones to watch the match.

Fans watching Italy v England – UEFA Euro 2020 – Final
A fan lets off a firework in Leicester Square (Ian West/PA)
Fans watching Italy v England – Euro 2020 – Final
The Ye Olde King’s Head pub in Santa Monica, California, is packed with fans (Keiran Southern/PA)
Fans watching Italy v England – UEFA Euro 2020 – Final
England fans gather at the fan zone in Trafford Park, Manchester (Martin Rickett/PA)
Italy v England – UEFA Euro 2020 Final – Wembley Stadium
England manager Gareth Southgate gave a thumbs up as the team left the Grove Hotel, Hertfordshire (Jonathan Brady/PA)
Italy v England – UEFA Euro 2020 Final – Wembley Stadium
Fans head to Wembley early on Sunday afternoon (Zac Goodwin/PA)
Italy v England – UEFA Euro 2020 Final – Wembley Stadium
England fans climb aboard a bus near the ground (Zac Goodwin/PA)
Italy v England – UEFA Euro 2020 Final – Wembley Stadium
Flares were let off as the numbers built up (Zac Goodwin/PA)

The final – which is expected to attract a record television audience – kicked off at 8pm and will finish by 10pm if it ends in normal time, but could end closer to 11pm if there is extra time or a penalty shootout.

Victory would mark the men’s football team’s first major tournament win since the 1966 World Cup success, which also took place at Wembley Stadium in London.

Italy v England – UEFA Euro 2020 Final – Wembley Stadium
Supporters were already in high spirits before noon (Zac Goodwin/PA)
Euro 2020
Fans from outside the capital arrive at King’s Cross station in London (Jonathan Brady/PA)
England fans queuing outside the The Faltering Fullback pub in Finsbury Park, London
England fans queuing outside the The Faltering Fullback pub in Finsbury Park, London (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Skipper Harry Kane said the players hope to do the nation proud when they take to the pitch: “We know how much it means to the English fans all over the country so we’re proud to be representing them and hopefully we can do them proud again.”

Fans by a new mural in Nuneaton by artist Nathan Parker, depicting Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling
Fans by a new mural in Nuneaton by artist Nathan Parker, depicting Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling (Jacob King/PA)
Local residents carry an official giant England Nationwide respect campaign flag from Neeld Crescent in Brent, where Raheem Sterling grew up, to Wembley Stadium, ahead of the Euro 2020 final
Local residents carry an official giant England Nationwide respect campaign flag from Neeld Crescent in Brent, where Raheem Sterling grew up, to Wembley Stadium, ahead of the Euro 2020 final (Jonathan Brady/PA)
An artist paints a picture of the ground ahead of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium
An artist paints a picture of the ground ahead of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium (Zac Goodwin/PA)

Despite the English home advantage, Italian fans will be attending Wembley too and hoping their team will continue their 32-match unbeaten run.

Italy v England – UEFA Euro 2020 Final – Wembley Stadium
An Italy fan outside Wembley (Zac Goodwin/PA)
Italy v England – UEFA Euro 2020 Final – Wembley Stadium
A dog sporting an Italy shirt outside of the ground (Mike Egerton/PA)

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