After a fantastic four weeks of international football, where we have witnessed goals galore, shock results, and history being made, Wembley Stadium is poised for the final of Euro 2020 — which will take place at the north London venue on Sunday (July 11^th).

With the showpiece match being held on home soil, the stars have aligned for England, who will feature in their first major final since winning the World Cup in the same stadium 55 years ago. However, defeating Italy, who boast their fair share of experience in major finals, will be no easy feat for Gareth Southgate’s side.

Given both sides’ impressive defensive acumen and ability to score goals, it is no surprise that there is very little to separate them in the Italy – England odds — where the Three Lions are marginally more favoured (13/8) ahead of Robert Mancini’s Italy (15/8).

So, as the nerves begin to kick in, we have put together this guide of everything you need to know ahead of the nail-biting finale. Read on to find out more!

Italy’s route to the final

With all of their group games being held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy breezed through Group A without even conceding a goal. They beat Turkey 3-0 in the tournament’s opening game before putting another three goals past Switzerland on matchday 2. The Azzurri rounded off the group with a 1-0 victory over Wales. In the Round of 16, they beat Austria 2-1 after extra-time before beating Belgium by the same scoreline in last eight. Spain pushed them all the way to penalties in the semi-finals, where Gianluigi Donarrumma was Italy’s hero as they won the shootout 4-2.

England’s route to the final

Like Italy, England played all of their Group D games on home turf. However, Southgate’s men didn’t go about their business as convincingly as their fellow finalists. Two 1-0 victories against Croatia and the Czech Republic were wedged either side of a boring 0-0 draw with Scotland. Still, it was enough for England to top the group, and their old foes Germany, who finished third in Group F, awaited them in the last 16. The Three Lions recorded an historic 2-0 victory over Joachim Löw’s side before breezing past Ukraine with a 4-0 victory in Rome. Surprise semi-finalists Denmark gave England a good run for their money in the last four, but ultimately Harry Kane’s rebound from his initially missed penalty sealed their progression to the final.

Head-to-head record

England fans, your beloved side may be the favourites in the UEFA EURO winner odds, but you may want to look away at this point, as the Three Lions have beaten Italy just eight times in their 27 meetings. The Azzurri boast 11 victories, with eight draws. The bad news doesn’t end there either. England have beaten Italy just once in their last seven outings, and have never gotten the better of the four-time World Cup winners at a major finals.

How do host nations tend to fare in the final?

It’s been a long time since a host nation won the European Championships on home soil, with France the last side to do so in 1984. We have to delve through the archives back to the 1960s to remember the previous two times the host prevailed — Spain (1964) and Italy (1968). In more recent times, hosts Portugal (2004) and France (2016) have been left red faced.

Who will referee the final?

The final will be officiated by the experienced Björn Kuipers. Having overseen matches at the last four major international tournaments (Euro 2012, 2014 World Cup, Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup), the Dutch referee is no stranger to the international stage. However, whilst this will be his first international final, he certainly won’t be fazed, having refereed two Europa League finals (2013 and 2018) and a Champions League final in 2014.