It’s been 54 years, 11 months and 11 days since Bobby Moore found Geoff Hurst with that long rake down the inside-left channel, some people making their way onto the Wembley pitch under the misguided impression it was all over. England have been waiting patiently for another It Is Now! moment ever since. Well, here we are. A second major title has never been so close. Is it now? God speed, you three lions. Oh, and best of luck to Italy as well, because the MBM is fair like that. May the best team win.
Whatever happens tonight, history will be kind to Euro 2020. Its legacy is rock-solid, water-tight, air-locked, vacuum-sealed and double-vaxxed. It’s been a blast from the get-go, and the best two teams have made it to the end. It’s unquestionable. Spain, Belgium, Croatia and France took turns to be beautiful but fragile; Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Denmark delivered way more than anyone seriously expected; Cristiano Ronaldo continued his successful battle against the dying of the light; Christian Eriksen lives another day to fight another fight. Thank you, kind gods of football. Grazie.
But look at what Italy and England have been up to. Roberto Mancini’s side have emerged triumphant from every single game of their campaign, from the start of the qualifiers to here. They’re exciting in attack, typically staunch in defence. They look unbeatable. Then again, so do Gareth Southgate’s England, who have conceded just one goal in these finals so far, and come at you from all angles up the other end. Italy have seen off Belgium and Spain, while England sent Germany packing at the business end of a tournament for the first time since … yeah, you know. The two best teams of the finals? Is there really any doubt?
Something has to give, though, and soon enough we’ll find out who and/or what that is. So having referenced the high-end improv skills of legendary BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme, can we please also give a nod to his ITV counterpart, the equally mellifluous – albeit not quite so eloquent on that heady 1966 afternoon – Hugh Johns, who, when Sir Geoff was roofing the final blow to West Germany’s hopes, extemporised thus: “Here’s Hurst, he might make it three. He has! He has. So that’s it. That’s IT!” Kick off tonight is 8pm at Wembley; 9pm in Rome. It’s on! It’s ON!