Lines of riot police guard Trafalgar Square as England fans take to the streets

Riot police have descended upon the capital's Trafalgar Square after thousands of football fans took to the streets after England's nail-biting defeat against Italy for the Euro 2020 Championship tonight.  

Scores of officers wearing riot gear and clutching shields were seen making their way along the streets of central London as large crowds attempted to push into the fan zone in Trafalgar Square without tickets.

Elsewhere, riot police were seen arriving to London's Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square after football supporters were seen clambering onto street lamps and setting off flares in front of hundreds of fans following the nation's defeat.

The chaotic scenes come as England lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy, extending the Three Lions' 55 years of hurt, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missing from 12 yards like manager Gareth Southgate in 1996. 

Despite two saves by Jordan Pickford, England missed three consecutive penalties crowning Italy champions and breaking hearts in front of 60,000 fans at Wembley.  

As the chaos continued to unfold, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that they had made a total of 45 arrests while policing today's Euro final.

In a statement they said: 'We have made 45 arrests while policing today's Euro2020 final. A number of officers remain on duty, helping fans leaving Wembley or central London. We are there to look out for your safety.'

It comes just hours after police launched an urgent bid to find the ticketless football fans who stormed through the security barriers and entered the Wembley Stadium just moments ahead of England's nail-biting fight against Italy.       

Tonight, scenes from Trafalgar Square showed hundreds of football fans draped in the England flag stood near the National Gallery as riot police tried to disperse the restless crowds. 

Meanwhile others were seen being detained by officers as the scenes in central London descended into chaos.  

Earlier today, police revealed that officers were at the scene in Trafalgar Square and were trying to disperse the crowds. 

A statement from the force read:  'A large crowd of fans have gathered near to the fan zone in Trafalgar Square attempting to push in without tickets. There are no more tickets or seats available in the fan zone. We're engaging with this crowd and telling them to disperse.'

In another statement the force said: 'Streets around Piccadilly Circus & Leicester Square are busy with fans. We have officers on hand. We'd urge everyone to keep themselves safe and look out for each other. We've seen people jumping off street lamps or hoardings, this could easily end in injury. ' 

It came as dozens of fans were filmed trampling down the security cordon before running into the Club Wembley entrance, the closest point of entry from Wembley Way, as stewards and riot police desperately chased after them ahead of the national side's biggest game for more than half a century earlier today.

The stampede of invaders draped with England flags were then seen rushing up the steps to the stands and barging their way through stunned security guards as hundreds of fans inside the stadium tried to stop them, with some even throwing punches at them.  

Footage later showed a massive surge of fans crushing their way through security barriers at Wembley and then running away from stewards as scenes descended into chaos. 

In other scenes, fans inside the stadium were seen trying to hold back the dozens of ticketless fans as they pushed past security and tried to make their way into the football ground.   

Following the chaotic scenes, the Metropolitan Police confirmed there had been a 'breach of security' at the stadium and said they were working with stadium officials to 'identify those without tickets'.

A spokesperson for the force said: 'Earlier this afternoon there was a breach of security at Wembley Stadium, which resulted in a small number of people getting into the stadium without a ticket.

'Officers worked closely with security officials to prevent any further breaches. We will also support action by Wembley Stadium officials to identify those without tickets and eject them.' 

A Wembley Stadium spokesperson added: 'There was a breach of security and a small group of people got into the stadium. We are now working closely with stadium stewards and security to remove these people. Anyone inside the stadium without a ticket will be instantly ejected.'

It comes as England fans flocked to Wembley in their thousands to be part of one of the biggest nights in English football history tonight. 

At half time, there was a mix of optimism and nerves among the several thousand who cramped outside the main gates of Wembley Stadium.

Despite the rain, the ticketless supporters huddled together, watched by lines of police, singing and letting off flares.

Student Jemma Lord,18, of Hounslow, said: 'I've never experienced anything like this. My dad, who is 56, was in tears all day as there is so much hope.' 

Earlier today, England fans were sent into a frenzy as they clambered onto buses outside Wembley, packed out pubs and set off flares in King's Cross and Leicester Square before the Three Lions fight Italy for the Euro 2020 Championship.  

In Piccadilly Circus, one fan was spotted leaping from the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain into a crowd of excited supporters and outside the Wembley Stadium others were spotted climbing onto traffic lights and poles.

Meanwhile drunken supporters thronged other parts of the capital, gathering en masse in Leicester Square and at several major railway stations, to revel in one of Britain's biggest sporting occasions in decades.  

The heart of London was heaving from mid afternoon, with fans singing on London underground trains and thousands drinking and dancing outside Trafalgar Square. 

Accountant Greg Stinson, 39, from East London, said: 'I was at Wembley for the semi and that was rocking, but it's almost as good here with a quality atmosphere. I'm just hoping it doesn't go to penalties.'

And Pharmacist Khai Nguyen, 34, draped in a St George's flag, said: 'Italy are tough but I think we can do it. Whatever happens, the team has lifted the whole country after Covid.'   

As the chaotic scenes began to unravel, British Transport Police - which patrols the country's rail network - reported 'multiple cases' of flares being set off inside London stations.

'We're working with train operators to ensure the continuation of services & to ensure everyone can travel safely,' the force said, adding: 'these incidents are offences & will be investigated'.

The scenes came as a man was taken to hospital after he was struck by a bus on High Road, Wembley, at around 5.50pm, police said. 

As the chaos ensued, London's Metropolitan Police and Mayor Sadiq Khan were also forced to take to Twitter to urge fans not to travel to Wembley without match tickets, with the force noting officers were 'on hand engaging with crowds and to keep people safe'.     

Today, crowds of fans draped in England flags arrived outside Wembley, the Home of Football, several hours before kick-off. Some even climbed on top of a bus outside the grounds, while others outside King's Cross station in the capital let off red and white smoke during the celebratory build-up. 

Although tickets quickly sold out, a category A seat became available at 2pm for around £810, and was snapped up almost immediately. MailOnline previously found tickets selling for tens of thousands of pounds on so-called 'touting' websites the day after the semi-final against Denmark. 

Ahead of the game, the Metropolitan Police urged fans not to come to London unless they have match tickets or somewhere booked to watch the game. 

The force said it will be deploying 'a great many officers and specialist units to prevent crime and disorder and respond to any incidents right across London'.  

The British Beer & Pub Association predicted England fans would buy 7.1 million pints as they watch England's first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup. By the end of the competition it is estimated that £815million will have been spent in pubs and hospitality venues, with 32.6 million pints sold, according to a report by Vouchercodes.co.uk and the Centre for Retail Research.

Ahead of the match, The Queen, Prince William and Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent the team best wishes, while thousands of England supporters urge the side to 'bring it home' - with some fans partying last night while others admitted they didn't sleep because they were so excited. 

In a video message on the official England football Twitter account, Southgate - who has been praised for his leadership of the team - said the fans' support has given them a 'huge lift'.

He said: 'We hope that you've enjoyed watching us play. I'm very grateful to all of the players and the incredible staff I've got with me, that we've been able to get to our first final for 55 years. But of course we know now we've got to deliver

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