Spain vs England – Euro 2024 final match preview | OneFootball

Spain and England battle to be crowned European champions in Berlin this weekend, in the final of Euro 2024.

For England, it’s a chance to end 58 years of hurt, while Spain are aiming for a record-breaking fourth European Championship title.

Here is everything you need to know about Sunday’s clash.

Form

Spain: WWWWW

Spain have been the Team of the Tournament so far and have set a record for the most wins in a single edition of the European Championship (6). A seventh this weekend will see La Roja crowned winners of this competition for a record fourth time and third in the last five editions.

Luis de la Fuente’s side were forced to come from behind against France in the semi-finals, with a spectacular strike from Lamine Yamal writing his name into the record books. The teenager, who celebrates his 17th birthday on the eve of the final, became the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history to equalise.

Yamal has emerged as a contender for the Player of the Tournament award with his precocious performances taking the tournament by storm. Alongside Nico Williams, the two have offered an attacking threat in wide areas and the duo will look to exploit vulnerabilities in England after a recent change in defensive shape.

Dani Olmo is the joint-leader in the race for the Golden Boot after scoring the semi-final winner, with the 26-year-old having become the first Spaniard to score in three consecutive knockout round games. UEFA has announced the Golden Boot will be shared between the top scorers with no tie-break to decide the winner in 2024. Six players have three goals, including Olmo and England captain Harry Kane.

England: DDWDW

England are into a second successive European Championship final and first tournament decider overseas. Despite a rollercoaster ride to reach Berlin, England are one step from ending an almost six-decade wait for trophy success.

The characteristics that have defined their campaign were evident in the semi-final win over the Netherlands, as the Three Lions responded to a setback to progress. However, England have fallen behind in all three knockout games and Gareth Southgate’s side can not be so obliging against a Spain team who have been Euro 2024’s standout side so far.

Southgate has shown an ability to change games from the bench. Ivan Toney, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins have all made impacts as substitutes in the knockout games, while the change in shape and introduction of Kobbie Mainoo has brought better balance.

Mainoo was outstanding against the Dutch in the last four, after becoming the youngest player to start a major tournament semi-final for England. The 19-year-old faces the biggest challenge of his fledgling career this weekend against a Spain team, who despite a shift in style, have the potential to monopolise possession.

Southgate faces a big decision on whether to include Luke Shaw from the start. The left-back was taken to the tournament despite fitness doubts and has appeared as a substitute twice in the knockout rounds. After 45 minutes against the Netherlands, the 29-year-old is pushing for a place in the starting XI as the only natural left-back in the squad. It would be some introduction back into the side, in a European Championship final against teen sensation Lamine Yamal.

Last Meeting

Spain 2-3 England, 15th October 2019, UEFA Nations League

Raheem Sterling scored twice as England produced a clinical counter-attacking performance to beat Spain in the UEFA Nations League. Gareth Southgate’s side were 3-0 up at half-time to stun the Spaniards, as the pace of England’s forward line cut apart their hosts.

Sterling opened the scoring – his first England goal in 27 appearances – with a thumping opener, before Marcus Rashford collected Harry Kane’s pass to score a slick second. Sterling’s second of the game put England in dreamland before the break.

Spain responded after the interval and Paco Alcacer pulled a goal back with a header before Sergio Ramos added respectability to the scoreline deep into stoppage time. England, however, were celebrating a first win in Spain since 1987 at full-time.

Predicted Lineups

Spain: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Olmo; Yamal, Morata, Williams.

England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Bellingham, Foden; Kane.

Who is the referee?

François Letexier (France).

What channel is Spain vs England on?

The match will be shown live on both BBC One and ITV 1.

What time is kick-off?

Sunday 14th July, 8 pm BST.

Odds

Spain – 6/4

Draw – 9/5

England – 12/5

Read – The European players with the most knockout stage goals at major tournaments

See more – Euro 2008 – Xavi and Spain’s pass masters finally end decades of underachievement

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