Exactly a month after Euro 2024 got under way with Germany thrashing Scotland, the tournament reaches its climax tonight as England take on Spain in Berlin.
England are hoping to go one better than their penalty shootout defeat to Italy three years ago while Spain are aimong to claim a record fourth European crown.
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Team News
England have made one change with Gareth Southgate opting for Luke Shaw at left-wing back in place of Kieran Trippier. It is unclear if Tripper is carrying a knock or Southgate has simply gone for the more natural left-sided player.
Shaw has not started a game of any description for 148 days due to a hamstring injury that delayed his involvement in Germany. The Manchester United defender has come on as a substitute in the last two games but was not believed to be starting tonight.
Other than that, it is as expected for the Three Lions with Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham continuing behind Harry Kane in a 3-4-3 formation.
Your #ThreeLions for the final! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/89vFVGLfZW
— England (@England) July 14, 2024
Spain have made two changes – both expected – with Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand coming back into the side having missed the semi-final win over France due to suspension. Jesus Navas and Nacho drop to the bench.
Captain Alvaro Morata has been passed fit despite injuring his knee in a collision with a steward in the post-match celebrations following the France game.
Confirmed line-ups
England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Saka, Shaw, Mainoo, Rice, Foden, Bellingham, Kane
Spain: Simon, Carvajal, Laporte, Le Normand, Cucurella, Rodri, Ruiz, Olmo, Yamal, Williams, Morata
🚨 OFICIAL | ¡¡¡𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘 𝗘𝗦 𝗘𝗟 𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗗𝗘 𝗟𝗔 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟!!
👥 Os presentamos la alineación de Luis de la Fuente para vencer a Inglaterra y GANAR LA EUROCOPA.
💪🏼 ¡¡A por ellos, equipo!! ¡¡Traed el trofeo a casa!!#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/SJfSmCl3kx
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 14, 2024
What they said
England struggled early on, drawing two of their group games but belief has grown in the camp as they’ve moved through the tournament.
Southgate said: “There’s no question about that. It’s fairy tales I don’t believe in, but there’s no question that the way the tournament has progressed for us has built belief and resilience. Those qualities are a big part of winning tournaments.
“Spain keep the ball so well, but they clearly have a bit more directness to their attacking play, which gives them a bit more of a cutting edge. They defend well as a team and press the ball well high up the pitch, trying to force you into compact areas. The biggest thing is we have to use the ball really well.
“We’ve improved as the tournament has progressed – certainly with the ball – and we’ve got to show those qualities to be able to play through the pressure, create opportunities to score goals, and we believe we can do those things.”
Southgate’s counterpart Luis de la Fuente has guided Spain to the final in his first tournament in charge of the senior team (excluding the Nations League which they also won in 2023).
And he is expecting England to present a real challenge tonight.
He said: “They are an excellent national team. Independent of the results or performances so far in this Euros, I knew that England were a very good side, a very good squad and that sooner or later they’d ‘switch on’.
“I believed that because of the exceptional level of their players. So there’s zero complacency or over-confidence on our part. In fact, facing England, I think, is a completely different match than any we’ve played so far at the Euros.”
