Watch Luke Shaw make history by giving England early lead on eve of his birthday in Euro 2020 final vs Italy

LUKE SHAW got England off to the perfect start in the Euro 2020 final against Italy with a goal on the eve of his 26th birthday.

The Manchester United left-back gave the Three Lions an early lead with a sweet, left-footed strike within two minutes.

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Harry Kane found Kieran Trippier in acres of space on the right-wing.

Kyle Walker darted forward 40 yards to draw a defender away.

And Trippier's teasing cross found Shaw - whose fantastic work at the other end of the pitch led to the goal.

The former Southampton defender made no mistake with the goal at his mercy either, hitting the ball first time.

Shaw showed perfect technique to keep the ball down as it careered off the post and into the net past a despairing Gianluigi Donnarumma to get the nation on its feet.

But England sat back after taking the lead and Leonardo Bonucci fired home after a scramble to make it 1-1 after 67 minutes.

Gareth Southgate's side then heart-breakingly lost 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out.

At just one minute and 57 seconds into the game, Shaw's goal was the earliest in European Championship final history.

The previous quickest was scored by Spain’s Jesus Maria Pereda at Euro 1964, when he scored in the sixth minute of his nation's win over USSR.

The goal was also England's earliest goal at a major tournament since the 1982 World Cup.

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Not only that, the strike also fell on the the eve of Shaw's 26th birthday and was his first ever goal for his country in his 16th appearance.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick have been involved in more goals at Euro 2020 than Shaw now, such has been the England man's performances at both left-back and left-wing-back.

British former Formula One star Jenson Button was among those to celebrate, as he simply tweeted: "Wow."

Ex-England star David Beckham was spotted fist-bumping Hollywood star Tom Cruise in the Wembley stands.

Prince George was also spotted celebrating in the stands, along with mum and dad the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

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