Sports Desk: Gareth Southgate says England are ready to make history in Sunday`s Euro 2020 final as they chase a first major trophy in 55 years, but Italy are in the mood to spoil the party at Wembley.

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

Along with 60,000 lucky fans at Wembley, millions across England 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 1900 GMT kick-off.

Hours before kick-off, supporters draped in red and white flags congregated along the famous approach to the stadium, Wembley Way, downing pints of beer and chanting an array of England anthems as excitement built.

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.

Johnson has decked the outside of his official Downing Street residence with dozens of St George`s flags.
After England were given a rousing send off, with fans lining the streets on the journey from their St George`s Park base to the team hotel on Saturday, Southgate urged England to harness the outpouring of emotion into a winning formula in the final.

"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.