The Euro 2020 final between England and Italy saw a scintillating start as England left-back Luke Shaw registered the fastest goal in the history of the European Championship finals. As per the official handle of the UEFA Euro 2020, the exact timing of the goal was 1 minute and 57 seconds.
Italy got an early corner after England faltered inside the D. But Lorenzo Insigne’s cross in the box was cleared by Harry Maguire, as a counter-attack was initiated.
The ball cleared by Maguire reached the English captain Harry Kane, who passed it on to Kieran Trippier, who had plenty of space down the right flank. Trippier made the run down the left flank and crossed it to Shaw, who had made a run down the left flank.
The cross that fell as a volley for Shaw, was swiftly and dominantly converted deposited past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the back of the Italy goal.
As Gareth Southgate‘s men took the field, they hope the end of their 55-year long wait for a major trophy. They had last won the World Cup in 1966 by defeating West Germany 4-2 in the final.
Ahead of the final, Queen Elizabeth II sent a good luck message to the England football.
“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,” a message from Windsor Castle read.
“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,” it added.
The final is being played at London’s Wembley stadium. Since 1966, England has lost in the semi-finals of five major tournaments: EURO ’68 and ’96, the 1990 and 2018 World Cups, and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.