Wembley Stadium in London was the iconic venue for the UEFA EURO 2020 final, a match that saw Italy clinch their second European Championship title in a dramatic penalty shootout victory against England. While the tournament spanned across 11 host cities, the semi-finals and the final were all held in the legendary London stadium.
The EURO 2020 Final Showdown: Italy vs. England
The EURO 2020 final pitted Italy against England, a highly anticipated clash. England, playing on home soil, took an early lead with a goal from Luke Shaw. However, Italy responded with Leonardo Bonucci finding the net, leveling the score and pushing the game into extra time. With no further goals in extra time, the final was decided by penalties. Italy emerged victorious, winning 3-2 in the shootout to secure the coveted EURO 2020 title.
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Alt text: Luke Shaw’s early goal for England in the EURO 2020 final at Wembley Stadium, a key moment in the match where Italy ultimately won.
Date and Location: Unpacking When the Last Euros Final Happened
To answer directly When Was The Last Euros, the UEFA EURO 2020 final took place on Sunday, 11 July 2021, with kickoff at 21:00 CEST (Central European Summer Time). It’s important to note that while officially named EURO 2020, the tournament was postponed from its original 2020 schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The final was held at Wembley Stadium in London, which also hosted the semi-finals on Tuesday, 6 July, and Wednesday, 7 July.
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Alt text: Wembley Stadium, London, the iconic location for the UEFA EURO 2020 final and semi-finals, answering the question of where was the last Euros hosted.
Wembley’s History with EURO Finals: A Look Back
Wembley Stadium boasts a rich history of hosting major football finals. Before the current stadium was rebuilt, the old Wembley Stadium, demolished in 2002, was the venue for the EURO ’96 final. In that match, Germany secured their third European title, defeating the Czech Republic with Oliver Bierhoff’s golden goal.
Going further back, Wembley was also the stage for England’s historic 1966 FIFA World Cup victory. In that final, England triumphed over West Germany 4-2 after extra time, lifting the World Cup trophy on home turf.
Beyond international tournaments, Wembley has hosted numerous prestigious club finals. In the European Cup, Manchester United (1968) and Liverpool (1978) have both won titles at Wembley. Since the new Wembley reopened in 2007, it has hosted two UEFA Champions League finals, witnessing Barcelona’s victory in 2011 and Bayern Munich’s triumph in 2013.
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Alt text: Oliver Bierhoff scoring the golden goal for Germany against Czech Republic in the EURO ’96 final at Wembley Stadium, highlighting Wembley’s history with Euros.
EURO Final Dominance: Which Nations Lead the Way?
When considering success in EURO finals, Germany (including West Germany) and Spain stand out as the most decorated nations. Both have won the European Championship three times. Notably, German teams have reached the final a record six times, surpassing all other European nations in final appearances.
Host Nation Advantage: EURO Final Victories on Home Soil
Historically, some host nations have capitalized on home advantage to win the EURO final. Spain (1964), Italy (1968), and France (1984) all celebrated EURO final victories as hosts. However, the pressure of playing at home can also be a burden. Portugal (2004), France (2016), and most recently England in EURO 2020, have experienced the disappointment of losing the final in front of their home fans.
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Alt text: Spain national team logo, representing Spain’s EURO 1964 victory as a host nation, illustrating host nation success in EURO finals.
Record-Breaking Wins: Biggest and Highest-Scoring EURO Finals
The largest margin of victory in a EURO final was Spain’s dominant 4-0 win against Italy in the EURO 2012 final held in Kyiv. This match also shares the record for the highest-scoring EURO final with the 1976 final between West Germany and Czechoslovakia in Belgrade. That 1976 final ended 2-2 after extra time, with Czechoslovakia ultimately winning 5-3 in a penalty shootout, famously featuring Antonín Panenka’s iconic penalty.
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Alt text: Scoreboard of Spain vs Italy EURO 2012 final, showing Spain’s 4-0 victory, the biggest win in a EURO final and also part of the highest scoring final record.
The Man in the Middle: Referee for the EURO 2020 Final
The referee for the EURO 2020 final was Björn Kuipers from the Netherlands. A seasoned official, Kuipers had been an international referee since 2006. His experience included officiating the 2013 and 2018 UEFA Europa League finals, as well as the 2014 UEFA Champions League final, making him a highly respected and experienced choice for such a prestigious match.
Champions League and EURO Champions: Double Winners in a Summer
An exclusive club of players have achieved the remarkable feat of winning both the UEFA Champions League and the EURO final in the same summer. After the EURO 2020 final, Jorginho (Chelsea & Italy) joined this elite group. Other notable players who have accomplished this double include Luis Suárez (1964), several Dutch players in 1988 (Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Berry van Aerle, Gerald Vanenburg), Fernando Torres and Juan Mata (2012), and Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe (2016).
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Alt text: Jorginho celebrating Chelsea’s Champions League victory, highlighting his achievement of winning both the Champions League and EURO 2020 in the same summer.
Multiple EURO Final Appearances: Players with Longevity
A significant number of players, 40 in total, have played in two EURO finals. Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini added their names to this list at EURO 2020, having also played in Italy’s 2012 final against Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the longest gap between EURO final appearances, playing in the finals of 2004 and 2016. Interestingly, no player has scored more than twice in a EURO final, but Fernando Torres holds the unique distinction of scoring in two separate EURO finals (2008 and 2012). Berti Vogts has a unique place in EURO history, winning the tournament as a player (1972) and as a coach (Germany 1996).
EURO Final Host Venues: A Pan-European History
The EURO final has been hosted in 13 different venues across 12 countries, showcasing the pan-European nature of the tournament. The EURO 2020 final at Wembley was the 16th EURO final in history. The venues range from Parc des Princes in Paris (hosted in 1960 and 1984) to Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid (1964), Stadio Olimpico in Rome (1968 and 1980), and many other iconic stadiums across Europe, reflecting the tournament’s widespread appeal and reach.
Skillzy: The EURO 2020 Mascot
The official mascot for EURO 2020 was Skillzy, a vibrant character inspired by freestyling, street football, and panna culture. Skillzy embodied the energy and spirit of the tournament, engaging fans and adding to the overall EURO 2020 experience.
In conclusion, the UEFA EURO 2020 final, held on July 11, 2021, at Wembley Stadium, was a memorable event that saw Italy crowned champions. The tournament, while delayed, delivered excitement and drama, adding another chapter to the rich history of the European Championship.
