Euro 2020: Southgate Spurs England To 'Make Stand' In Final Against Italy

Gareth Southgate has urged England to conquer one last "massive hurdle" as they aim to cap their historic Euro 2020 campaign with victory against Italy in Sunday's final.

England reached their first final in 55 years on Wednesday as Harry Kane settled a tense semifinal against Denmark with the extra-time strike that sealed a 2-1 win at raucous Wembley.

For the first time since beating West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, England will contest the title match of a major tournament.

It will be their first European Championship showpiece, against an Italian side who last won the tournament in 1968.

With history on the line, England boss Southgate challenged his players to finish the job in style.

"This group of players have been fantastic to work with, their togetherness, those not in the team supporting their teammates, they deserve what's happening," he said.

"They've been a joy. We have one more step against a fantastic team who are unbeaten in however many matches.

"We know the size of the task. But what a brilliant moment for us. Let's savour tonight, then we can think about that on the coach back to Burton."

Italy, undefeated in their last 33 games, have been one of the most impressive teams in the tournament.

But England will have the vast majority of the 60 000 Wembley crowd willing them to victory – a factor that Southgate said was vital to finally break down Denmark's stubborn resistence.

"The big advantage was having our fans in those moments of the game where we had to dig in and towards the end where we had a little wobble when all we needed to do was to keep the ball," he said.