SPAIN VS ENGLAND: WHO WINS UEFA EURO 2024 FINAL?
England are taking on tournament favourites Spain in the UEFA EURO 2024 final at Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday, in what’s shaping up to be the most watched game of the summer.
Both teams have gone younger with their current squads compared to the Spanish and English teams of the past, turning over the reins to a new generation of football superstars who have consistently delivered timely performances at the tournament. England had to rely on 21-year-old Jude Bellingham’s injury-time winner, a bicycle kick goal, against Switzerland to advance to the semifinals while 16-year-old Lamine Yamal’s man of the match performance against France secured the Spaniards’ spot in the final.
England, however, are coming into the final on the back of sharp criticism from both fans and pundits back home, who have cited unattractive football and a lack of goals as reasons for their frustration with the England side. A complete opposite to Spain, who have been playing the most eye-catching and effective football of any team in the tournament.
English boss Gareth Southgate, in particular, has been criticized for his ‘inability to get the most out of this squad,’ which many people believe is the most talented since England’s golden generation of the early 2000s. English skipper Harry Kane and midfielder Connor Gallagher have, however, in recent days come out to speak on behalf of their manager, saying he doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves, considering the team’s successes in recent years.
“He definitely deserves more credit than what he gets, I think,” said Gallagher. “How he’s been with England and how far he’s got in major tournaments is a massive achievement. Obviously, he wants nothing more than to win a trophy like everyone else in England. So, a lot of credit to Gareth and the backroom staff as well but, hopefully, we can go one step further [on Sunday].”
England haven’t had a taste of international glory since the nation won the 1966 World Cup on home soil, 58 years ago and are desperate to finally get over the hump with this team on Sunday. Gareth Southgate’s men finished as tournament runners up in EURO 2020, succumbing to defeat against Italy in a penalty shootout at Wembley. England have never won the European Championship and are looking to right the wrongs of the previous kick-about against Italy by taking care of business against a tough Spanish side.
Spain are coming into the game with a perfect record, having won all their group stage and knockout stage matches within 90 minutes and have the edge over England, according to most football analysts. A fourth European title would not only make Spain the most successful nation ever at the European Championships but also take them one above hosts Germany, who are currently tied with Spain with 3 continental titles. Spain previously won the EUROs in 1964, 2008, and 2012.
Predicted Formations
The Spaniards are expected to line up in head coach Luis de la Fuente’s favorite 4-2-3-1 formation tonight, a shape that has proven successful for the team throughout the tournament. Spain’s right back, Dani Carvajal who missed the semifinal against France due to suspension is expected to rejoin the team, which would see Jesus Navas return to the bench.
Spain’s expected 11 for the game tonight are as follows: Unai Simon; Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yemal, Alvaro Morata, Nico Williams.
As for England, Gareth Southgate is expected to revert back to the more stable and seemingly sustainable 3-4-2-1 formation, which proved successful against Switzerland and the Netherlands. The team’s biggest question ahead of tonight is the left wingback position, a slot England have struggled to see production out of. Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier has manned that position for most of the tournament but the team’s natural left back Luke Shaw is now fit and ready to start. Shaw was used as a half-time substitute in the semi-final against the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday.
Here’s how England are expected to line up for the game tonight: Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Marc Guehi; Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Kieran Trippier; Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham; Harry Kane.
Analytics Favour Spain
British sports analytics company Opta predicts that a fourth European championship for Spain is the most likely outcome from Sunday’s match. Opta’s supercomputer gave the 2010 World Cup champions a 40.5% chance of winning the tournament and gave England a 29% chance, while a draw had a 30.5% chance. Opta’s model predicted before the tournament that England would win the EUROs this year but a data re-crunch ahead of the final game swung the advantage in favour of Spain.
England and Spain have played against each other 27 times before and only three times have those matches ended in a draw. Spain have won 10 times, with England winning the remaining 14 contests. Both teams last met in the inaugural 2018/19 UEFA Nations League where Spain defeated England 2-1 at Wembley before England won the return leg 3-2 in Seville.
The UEFA EURO 2024 final kicks off at 9pm local time in Berlin, Germany which would make kickoff 8pm in England and 3pm EST.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: Ben Sutherland. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.