[imagesource: Elliot Franks]

England can be proud of its football team, which went deeper in a major tournament than any other English side over the past 55 years.

It was not to be, as penalties once again broke English hearts, but there are many reasons to celebrate the success of what is a relatively young side on the up and up.

Then there was the behaviour of some of the English fans yesterday, and the same cannot be said.

Destruction of property, violence, flares stuck up the nether region, and supporters without tickets storming the stadium and beating people in their path – it was a sad reminder of how a very vocal and visible minority can dampen the occasion.

Many of the pubs in and around London, within walking distance of Wembley, weren’t taking bookings, so people queued from the early morning to secure a spot.

With an 8PM kickoff, that was a recipe for disaster, and a little bump here and there doesn’t exactly help soothe the nerves:

😂🤦‍♂️ #Eng #Ita #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/C48IVHxjEi

— No Context Hearn (@NoContextHearn) July 11, 2021

Warning – some nudity incoming.

I imagine this bloke is rocking a killer hangover and some serious LC:

It’s not even home yet 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/0KEvxsHLwi

— TEQUILA TAZE (@TazerBlack) July 11, 2021

I thought it was summer in England?

We break for a meme:

Italian culture / English Culture pic.twitter.com/YUmXUjF6p3

— hk (@HKesvani) July 11, 2021

Consider yourself grateful we aren’t including the video of the bloke standing on his head with a flare stuck up his behind, with his testicles falling victim to the curse of gravity.

Outside Wembley, ‘Sweet Caroline’ was in full force:

Wembley right now! pic.twitter.com/qcBT2l4APA

— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) July 11, 2021

However, in nearby Leicester Square, really ugly scenes began to play out:

Bottles thrown as Leicester Square, London, becomes unofficial ‘fan zone’ for thousands of England fans. #ENGITA #EnglandvsItaly #England #ENG #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/NdvaX6IxIF

— Urban Pictures (@Urban_Pictures) July 11, 2021

Support your team, but stamping and spitting on a flag seems unnecessary:

🚨👀 | NEW: England fans stamp on Italy’s flag pic.twitter.com/8QGNlFYNVq

— News For All (@NewsForAllUK) July 11, 2021

Cracking a joke about Jack Grealish shagging pasta on live telly? Not ideal, but harmless:

jack grealish shags pasta #grealish #England #england2020 #englandfans #jackgrealish #Euro2020Final pic.twitter.com/gnY0Zsxa1b

— Mark (@mozeruk) July 11, 2021

Being caught hoovering up a line on live telly? Definitely not ideal:

Sky sports news have just done this guy a nailer 😂 pic.twitter.com/fWg1p6BLHX

— Kev (@Kh10393) July 11, 2021

Wearing an Italian shirt in certain areas was an act of bravery, as was driving an Italian car:

pic.twitter.com/1NndRhknjN

— euros out of context (@footballscomin) July 11, 2021

Now is where it really starts to get ugly, and frankly, embarrassing.

Fans without tickets were seen storming Wembley, assaulting stewards and resorting to violence:

Wembley rn pic.twitter.com/3lXRRvG7d0

— Rave Footage 🎥 (@RaveFootage) July 11, 2021

Febrile atmosphere at Wembley. This is near the main entrance to Club Wembley a few minutes ago where it looked like a group of fans broke through the security cordon. Stewards currently chasing people around. Not sure they’ll get all the way to the wine and canapés pic.twitter.com/YTIx8eQLz2

— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) July 11, 2021

Some fans have attempted to storm into Wembley ahead of the Euro 2020 final🔽pic.twitter.com/XyYRRXBFHY

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) July 11, 2021

Those that broke through the initial security line still had some ground to make before they actually entered the stadium.

The scenes from inside were even worse:

Unbelievable footage of violence in Wembley tonight. A literal child gets punched by a full grown man and an Asian man is kicked repeatedly in the head by several people. Disgusting behaviour. pic.twitter.com/NLtvjgF8Fe

— Kyle Glen (@KyleJGlen) July 11, 2021

From another angle:

This is disgraceful. Twitter let’s find them #Euro2020Final pic.twitter.com/0mF6aYitCb

— Nadeem Ahmed 💙 (@Muqadaam) July 11, 2021

That’s just total hooliganism, ahead of your country’s biggest football match in 55 years.

As much as every country has violent, idiotic football fans, the above is a great example of why so many neutrals around the world were backing Italy to win.

Inside the stadium, England got off to a great start, which Prince George enjoyed:

🚨⚽️ | NEW: Prince George reacts to England’s goal pic.twitter.com/5JcXEYpaBL

— Politics For All (@PoliticsForAlI) July 11, 2021

“Oh, I say, father – what a jolly lovely goal!”

However, we know how that ended:

Nice one bro. #EURO2020 #ENGITA pic.twitter.com/rj4YgiPQVb

— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) July 11, 2021

Ultimately, it’s coming, Rome:

pic.twitter.com/vrHvAS7J2z

— euros out of context (@footballscomin) July 11, 2021

Congratulations to Italy, and commiserations to those England supporters who are just as embarrassed about the behaviour of those idiotic fans as the rest of the world.

Next up, the Olympics from July 23, and the small matter of the Springboks battling the British & Irish Lions.