Tonight's Euro 2020 final primed and ready to shred the nerves of England fans everywhere as, after 55 years of waiting, we're teased with the possibility of a major tournament trophy.

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Five-and-a-half decades after the Three Lions won the World Cup in 1966, Gareth Southgate's remarkable England side go head-to-head with Roberto Mancini's Italy, with kick-off set for 8pm tonight.

Italy have been one of the standout teams in the tournament so far and their record boasts eliminations of both Belgium and Spain on their route to the final.

England aren't to be discounted though – far from it. Statistically at Euro 2020, we look more than ready to handle what Italy have to throw at us.

It's all set up to be a very close affair and, while it will certainly be the most important match between these two nations, it's certainly not the first time they've met.

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We've looked back at all the previous encounters between England and Italy over the years, compiling some facts and figures and looking at the overall head-to-head record and comprehensive history of the footballing battles between the two sides.

Read on for everything you need to know. Plus, find out all the details about how to watch Italy v England on TV and the odds and favourites when it comes to who will win Euro 2020.

Have England ever beaten Italy?

Yes, England have beaten Italy on eight previous occasions, out of a total of 27 matches.

This includes a World Cup qualifier in 1977 and a 3-2 victory back in 1934, an international friendly which marked their second ever meeting.

The most recent of England's wins over Italy came in a 2012 international friendly, with Jermain Defoe netting the winner in a narrow 2-1 victory.

You have to go back a fair bit further for the last time England recorded a win over the Italians in a major competitive fixture though, with the last win coming in a World Cup qualifier in 1977 (although England did beat the Italians at the one off Tournoi de France competition in 1977).

When was the last time England played Italy?

England and Italy last faced off in Turin in 2018 in an international friendly.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Italy v England last 5 meetings

The last five meetings between the sides paint a picture of two very closely matched nations, with Italy just edging it with two wins (one of which was a penalty shootout), compared to one win for England and two draws.

The concerning thing for England though is that both of Italy's wins came in major tournaments – a 2-1 victory in the Group Stage of the 2014 World Cup, and a penalty shootout win in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

2018: England 1-1 Italy (International friendly)

2015: Italy 1-1 England (International friendly)

2014: England 1-2 Italy (2014 World Cup)

2012: England 2-1 Italy (International friendly)

2012: England 0-0 Italy (2-4 on pens) (Euro 2012)

Italy v England key stats

  • Italy will be playing in their tenth ever major international final, more than any other European nation apart from Germany. For England, on the other hand it is only a second final, following the World Cup in 1966.
  • England have never won against Italy in a major tournament in four previous attempts, with the Italians having recorded three wins and a draw – although even that draw resulted in a penalty shootout win for Italy.
  • Both sides go into the final on fine form: Italy have not lost in their last 33 matches, their longest unbeaten run in their history, while England have won 15 of their last 17 clashes at Wembley, and are themselves unbeaten in 12 fixtures.
  • In six games at Euro 2020 so far, Italy have scored 12 goals and conceded 2, while England have scored 10 and conceded one.

Italy v England complete head-to-head record

2018: England 1-1 Italy (International friendly)

2015: Italy 1-1 England (International friendly)

2014: England 1-2 Italy (2014 World Cup)

2012: England 2-1 Italy (International friendly)

2012: England 0-0 Italy (2-4 on pens) (Euro 2012)

2002: England 1-2 Italy (International friendly)

2000: Italy 1-0 England (International friendly)

1997: Italy 0-0 England (World Cup qualifier)

1997: Italy 0-2 England (Tournoi de France)

1997: England 0-1 Italy (World Cup qualifier)

1990: Italy 2-1 England (1990 World Cup)

1989: England 0-0 Italy (International friendly)

1985: Italy 2-1 England (City Tournament)

1980: Italy 1-0 England (Euro 1980)

1977: England 2-0 Italy (World Cup qualifier)

1976: Italy 2-o England (World Cup qualifier)

1976: England 3-2 Italy (Bi-Centenary)

1973: England 0-1 Italy (International friendly)

1973: Italy 2-0 England (International friendly)

1961: Italy 2-3 England (International friendly)

1959: England 2-2 Italy (International friendly)

1952: Italy 1-1 England (International friendly)

1949: England 2-0 Italy (International friendly)

1948: Italy 0-4 England (International friendly)

1939: Italy 2-2 England (International friendly)

1934: England 3-2 Italy (International friendly)

1933: Italy 1-1 England (International friendly)

Want more Euro 2020 content? We’ve got you covered – read on to find out every Euros winner throughout the history of the tournament, how many fans are attending Euro 2020 games this year, how VAR is being used at Euro 2020, if you can still get tickets to Euro 2020, or why Euro 2020 is not called Euro 2021.

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If you’re looking for something else to watch check out our TV Guide or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news.

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