The Final: Attack on Wembley explores the darker side of the Euro 2020(21) final contested between England and Italy.
July 11, 2021; London, England.
It’s a warm summer’s day and spirits are high in the English capital. After nearly a year in COVID-induced captivity, the British public is out and about, with one major event on their mind; the Euro 2020 final.
Contested a year after initially scheduled due to the pandemic, the affair marked England’s first major final since it won the 1966 World Cup at the same venue. Years of national team heartbreak, frustration and blind loyalty appeared on the cusp of being rewarded. Finally, the prophecy would be fulfilled. Football would indeed be coming home.
Except, it didn’t and the day descended into chaotic mayhem as thousands of drunken fans soured what was initially meant to be a day of celebration and joy. Instead of Netflix re-living the tournament, one of the finest in recent memory, through a fond lens, the streaming giant is releasing a documentary focusing on the spoilt final bout of the tournament.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Final: Attack on Wembley.
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The Final: Attack on Wembley, your complete guide
When is it being released?
8 May, 2024 at 5:00 pm AEST
Is there a trailer?
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What’s it about?
The documentary will cover the chaos in and around England’s participation in the Euro 2020, the nation’s first at a major footballing tournament in 50 years. It speaks to participants on all sides of the carnage, from those who partook in the chaos, to those who attempted to prevent it, those who covered it, and those who innocently watched on.
Thousands of drunken fans flooded the London streets, hunting ‘a good time’ and with a limited police presence to stop their rampage. What followed was a violent stampede as thousands of unticketed fans attempted to gain entry into Wembley.
As the trailer describes people were being trampled on, and violence ensued, with Italians attacked by drunken English lunatics and blood spilling into the streets. To put it politely it was ludicrous, needless chaos that drew comparisons with the hooliganism movement of the 1980s that saw English sides banned from Europe for five seasons.
For Italy fans attending the final, the affair could’ve caused great distress and worry, especially considering the 1985 Heysel Stadium Disaster, which resulted in 39 deaths and 600 non-fatal injuries.
In all, 86 people were arrested by police following the carnage, 53 of those were made at Wembley Stadium. Among other offences, the arrested were charged with public order breaches, assault and drunk and disorderly conduct.
England centre back Harry Maguire’s father was also embroiled in the disturbances, resulting in injuries to his ribs.
Who won Euro 2020 again?
Italy def. England, 1-1 FT, 3-2 on penalties
England’s first final since 1966 ended is a result as disastrous as the final’s prelude. Left back Luke Shaw opened the scoring inside two minutes before Leonardo Bonucci equalised in the 67th minutes. Italy’s experience and grizzled defensive line, expertly marshalled by Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, proved too much for England, who could not utilise their limited possession to breakthrough.
In the end the Italians won on penalties, with Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho missing England’s final three penalties. In the following days, all three players would cop abhorrent abuse on social media.
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Isn’t there another Euros soon?
Yes, Euro 2024’s kick off is just around the corner. Once again England are considered heavy favourites for the tournament. Rightly so. In Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer they have five of the best attacking footballers in the world. Declan Rice is a devastating defensive midfielder whose improved his game impressively since joining Arsenal at the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, while a fully-fit John Stones is one of the best defenders on the planet.
However, England are outright favourites for the trophy. Read our Euro 2024 guide for our analysis on who the nation’s greatest challengers for the tournament are.
Moreover, click here for our analysis on who the tournament’s six breakout stars will be.
