England, Italy collide in Euro 2020 final that's too close to call

Singapore

AFTER 140 goals from 50 matches played in 11 stadiums across Europe over the past 30 nights, there is just one more piece of business left at the Euro 2020 football championships - a winner-take-all showdown between England and Italy on Sunday night.

Euro 2020 has been brilliant since the start, and it promises to end with a flourish. Delayed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the tournament has delivered more than its fair share of drama, suspense and high-octane action in the past month.

The field of 24 nations has been whittled down to just two. Either England or Italy will lift the gleaming Henri Delaunay trophy after the grand final (Monday 3am kickoff, Singapore time) at Wembley Stadium in London.

The venue won't be full due to capacity restrictions, but there will still be about 60,000 spectators in attendance - along with millions more tuning in globally - for what should be a riveting contest between two of the sport's most popular teams.

England's date with destiny

It has been 55 long years since England last reached a major football final. The last time they did so was at the 1966 World Cup that they hosted and won, defeating West Germany 4-2 after extra time in what is, to date, England's finest achievement.

That could all change on Sunday if the Three Lions - with the home crowd firmly behind them - can outfox a confident and in-form Italian team that has not tasted defeat in their last 33 matches.

On paper, Gareth Southgate's men have had a relatively easier road to the final than Italy. They topped their group with two wins and a draw, scoring just two goals but conceding none.

The knockout stage saw England roar to life. They eliminated their perennial foes Germany 2-0 in the Round of 16, and followed up with a 4-0 win over a hapless Ukraine in the quarter-finals.

Denmark gave the English a much sterner test in the semi-final on Thursday. With the score delicately poised at 1-1, England were awarded a soft penalty in the first period of extra time.

Captain Harry Kane missed his attempt from the spot, but was cool as a cucumber to tuck in the rebound from close range and break Denmark's hearts.

Some say it's already written in the stars that England will end their barren run once and for all on Sunday, and in front of their success-starved supporters too, although it would be foolish to underestimate the strength and tenacity of their opponents.

Italians ready to pounce

Not among the hot favourites at the start of the tournament, Italy have silenced their detractors and produced a string of remarkable results to make it this far.

The Azzurri won all three group games without letting in a single goal, with coach Roberto Mancini making the most of his 26-man squad as he gave game time to 25 of them.

The Italians huffed and puffed in the Round of 16 tie with unfancied Austria (they needed extra time to prevail 2-1), but were masterful in the quarter-final by getting the better of Belgium - the world's top-ranked team - also by a 2-1 margin.

Spain were their toughest obstacle so far in the semi-final, forcing a penalty shootout after both sides could not find a breakthrough after 120 minutes of play. The resolute Italians triumphed in the end, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saving one effort and left-back Jorginho coolly despatching the decisive kick.

Italy have proven to be an extremely tough nut to crack throughout the tournament, and it will require a top-drawer performance by England to overcome them.

Evenly poised

There is little to separate these two nations, and even the bookmakers seem to think so, if the latest betting odds are any indication.

As of press time on Friday, Singapore Pools has England as the slight favourites to lift the trophy, with a return of S$1.75 for every dollar placed on the Three Lions. Those who think Italy will win can get a marginally better return of S$1.90 for every dollar wagered on them.

That said, it is the English team - playing at home in a major final - that have to deal with the immense pressure of a nation that fully expects them to have the trophy in their grasp at the end of the night.

Italy, on the other hand, have absolutely nothing to lose and will fancy their chances of spoiling the party in London. The signs all point to a cagey final where each team will adopt a cautious approach while waiting for the other to blink first.