Euro 2024 Final Preview: Spain vs England

• Spain and England will meet at Olympiastadion, Berlin, on Sunday, 14th July, in the Euro 2024 final
• La Roja knocked out heavyweights France in the semi-finals on Tuesday, whilst England managed to edge past the Netherlands on Wednesday
• The Three Lions will be featuring in the second of back-to-back Euros finals, while Spain were knocked out on penalties in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 by Italy

After a month-long tournament in which the best European football teams have battled it out across Germany, the final of Euro 2024 is now on the horizon. Will it be Spain or England that lifts the trophy on Sunday?

It’s been an intriguing battle between contrasting tactical styles throughout the competition. France's defensive rigidity was finally beaten by La Roja's attacking flair and panache in the semi-final, sprinkled in with some magic from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. However, will Luis de la Fuente’s men be able to go all the way and earn their first major tournament title since 2012?

Spain will need to defeat Gareth Southgate’s England if they are to go on and win Euro 2024. The Three Lions started as pre-tournament favourites, and despite fans often left bemused by the tactical decisions of their manager, they are in their second consecutive Euros final. Can Southgate finally end England’s 58 years of hurt and deliver a trophy?

Below is everything you need to know about the upcoming final, including each nation’s route to the final, predicted lineups and my prediction for the match!

Spain’s Route to the Final
 

Group Stage – Group B Winners

Drawn into one of the most competitive groups at Euro 2024, Spain made things look easy. In their opening match, they cruised past 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, beating them 3-0 in Berlin. La Roja then secured their spot in the Round of 16 after beating reigning champions Italy 1-0, courtesy of a Riccardo Calafiori own goal.

Spain’s B side then made it three wins from three with a comfortable 1-0 win over Albania in their last group outing. That meant Spain was the only nation to win all three group games in this year’s tournament without conceding a single goal to boot. Again, a feat achieved by no other country at Euro 2024.

Knockout Stage

Having finished as Group B winners, Spain achieved a seemingly easier route to the final in the knockout stage. That started with a Round of 16 draw against Group F’s third-placed Georgia. The fairytale for Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and co. came to an end, however. La Roja’s quality showed with a 4-1 triumph with star midfielder Rodri earning the Player of the Match award after opening the scoring.

A much greater task faced De La Fuente in the quarter-finals as Spain went head-to-head with hosts Germany in Stuttgart. RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo got La Roja off the mark in the second half before Bundesliga Player of the Season Florian Wirtz extended Die Mannschaft’s stay in the tournament a little longer with an 89th-minute equaliser. It looked as though the clash would be heading to penalties, but an unlikely hero in Mikel Merino snatched a last-gasp winner in extra time to send Spain into the semi-finals, and the tournament hosts home early.

Next up for Spain were 2022 World Cup runners-up France. It looked as though Les Bleus were heading for yet another final following a 9th-minute opener from Randal Kolo Muani. However, a Yamal stunner levelled the scores before Olmo's fine piece of skill, along with a bit of luck off of Jules Kounde, helped put Spain ahead. France’s lack of creativity saw La Roja comfortably see out the win.

England’s Route to the Final
 

Group Stage - Group C Winners

Although England's group looked relatively easy on paper, they only won one of their group games. Nevertheless, they topped Group C ahead of Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia, with their only victory coming against Serbia on Matchday 1 thanks to a Jude Bellingham header. With just two goals in the groups, England fans were left troubled by a lack of flair going forward.

Knockout Stage

It looked as though the Three Lions were heading for a shock Round of 16 exit at the hands of Slovakia as they trailed deep into injury time. Nevertheless, Bellingham spared England’s blushes with a tremendous overhead kick at death. Who else? Talisman Harry Kane then put his side 2-1 ahead into extra time to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.

Switzerland would prove to be no pushovers in the final eight, and England had to come from a goal down once more. A trademark Bukayo Saka goal made it 1-1 in the 80th minute after Breel Embolo had put the Swiss ahead just five minutes prior. The game couldn’t be decided after an additional 30 minutes, meaning it would go down to a shootout. England converted all five of their spot kicks, with Saka earning redemption following his heartbreaking miss in the final against Italy in 2021. This time, Manuel Akanji was the villain for Switzerland.

Southgate’s men appear to play at their best when going a goal down. And once again, they secured a come-from-behind triumph in the semi-finals against the Netherlands. There wasn’t much that could be done about the fierce strike by Xavi Simons who put the Dutch ahead after just seven minutes. Kane made it 1-1 from the penalty spot around ten minutes later before Ollie Watkins became the hero off the bench in the 91st minute to seal England’s place in the final.

Predicted Lineups

Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata

With Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand both suspended for the semi-final, they can be expected to return to the starting lineup on Sunday. However, there’s a chance that Nacho Fernandez may keep his spot next to Aymeric Laporte. Meanwhile, Pedri will remain sidelined due to injury so Olmo will keep his spot as one of Spain’s primary attacking outlets.

Ones to Watch: Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo

Top Goalscorer: Dani Olmo (3)

Total Goals Scored: 13

Total Goals Conceded: 3

 

England (3-4-2-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Rice, Mainoo, Shaw; Foden, Bellingham; Kane

The Three Lions appear to have made a slight tactical tweak over their last two knockout games, with more of a three-man defence lining up. Kieran Trippier has been dealing with a groin injury over on the left-hand side, and since Luke Shaw has now played two halves of football, he could slot in at left wing-back. Other than that, it should be business as usual, with England having plenty of options off the bench as well in Watkins, Palmer and Ivan Toney, just to name a few.

Ones to Watch: Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham

Top Goalscorer: Harry Kane (3)

Total Goals Scored: 7

Total Goals Conceded: 4

Prediction

Spain 1-2 England (a.e.t)

Spain have looked like the best team in the tournament and are truly deserving of reaching the final. Having already beaten Croatia, Italy, Germany and France so far, they have played their fair share of top opposition too. They have the ability to score plenty of goals and could easily get the better of England due to their speed on the counter.

With that being said, La Roja’s more aggressive style could suit England down to the ground, opening up more space for the likes of Saka, Phil Foden and Bellingham to exploit. Southgate will still need to show defensive resilience, but England’s team is better on paper and they have the quality amongst the squad to secure the victory.

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