Euro 2020 final: fans gather for Italy v England as excitement builds - in pictures

Three Lions chasing first major trophy for 55 years

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

Fans arrive at Wembley stadium ahead of the Euros football final between England and Italy.

England fans with flares gather outside Wembley stadium ahead of the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

England fans gather outside Wembley stadium ahead of the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

England fans on top of a bus outside Wembley stadium ahead of the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

England fans gather outside Wembley stadium ahead of the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

England fans with flares gather outside Wembley stadium ahead of the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

England and Italy flags outside Wembley.

England fans with flares gather outside Wembley stadium ahead of the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

England fans gather outside Wembley stadium ahead of the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

England fans on top of a bus outside Wembley stadium ahead of the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

England fans on top of a bus outside Wembley stadium.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - Fans gather for Italy v England - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 11, 2021 England fans with flares gather on Wembley way outside Wembley stadium ahead of the match Action Images via Reuters / Peter Cziborra

England fans outside Wembley stadium.

England fans with flares gather outside Wembley stadium ahead of the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

England fans on outside Wembley stadium.

England fans were certainly getting in the mood for the Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley Stadium.

Hours before kick-off on Sunday, hundreds of supporters were getting the party started as the Three Lions bid for a first major trophy in 55 years.

Gareth Southgate's side have sent the nation into a frenzy by reaching their first European Championships final, leaving them one win away from a first major title since the 1966 World Cup.

Along with 65,000 fans inside Wembley Stadium, millions across England and around the world will be glued to the final on television, with some schools and businesses set to open later on Monday to allow a lie-in after the 8pm kick-off local time.

Hours before the game, supporters draped in red and white flags congregated along the famous approach to the stadium chanting England anthems as excitement builds.

On the eve of the final, Southgate's squad received messages of support from Queen Elizabeth II, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and even Hollywood actor Tom Cruise.

"It's been fantastic to have the letter from the Queen, the letter from the Prime Minister to all of the team. The recognition that the players and all of the staff have gone around this in the right way," Southgate said.

"We had a fantastic reception when we left St George's Park. All the local villages had come out to line the route and people pulled up so you got an idea of what was going on outside the bubble that we've been in.

"The players need to feel that warmth and support. It has definitely helped inspire us. We're in a final and we are here to win.

"Now we want to go and bring the trophy home for everybody."