14/07/2024 – UEFA European Championship – Final
Venue: Olympiastadion
Kick-off: 8 pm
Where to watch? Live on BBC One and ITV – and stream via the BBC Sports website and ITVX.
UEFA Euro 2024: Is England vs Spain on TV? kick-off, team news, predictions & where to watch
Euro 2024 draws to a close with a showdown on Sunday evening, as finalists Spain and England face off at the Olympiastadion for the right to be crowned kings of the continent.
While La Roja, favoured by many to win, are well-acquainted with the feel of the Henri Delaunay Trophy, the 1966 World Cup winners have yet to hoist the iconic cup aloft.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain and Gareth Southgate’s England both had to navigate tough semi-final ties. Spain denied France a shot at Euro supremacy, while the Three Lions roared to a mesmerising victory over the Netherlands to reach back-to-back finals.
Match preview
By Sunday night, the Spain vs. England saga will come full circle in a thrilling Euro 2024 final. The two nations clashed in major finals last year too—England’s Under-21s beat Spain for the European Championship, while Spain’s women’s team triumphed in the World Cup.
Spain, led by Luis de la Fuente, flew under the radar at the start of the tournament, especially given their recent struggles. However, they dominated the so-called ‘Group of Death,’ winning all their matches without conceding a goal from an opposing player.
Spain’s road to the final included surviving a scare from Germany in the quarter-finals and defeating France in the semi-finals, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest scorer in Euros history. Spain, aiming for their fourth Euros title, could become the most successful team in the competition’s history if they win.
England’s journey, under Gareth Southgate, saw them overcoming tough matches and criticism. They secured dramatic wins against Switzerland and the Netherlands, with key performances from Jude Bellingham and Ollie Watkins. England reached their second consecutive Euros final, setting new records along the way.
The final promises to be a battle of titans, with both teams eager to etch their names in football history. Spain seeks to add another trophy to their collection, while England hopes to finally bring the Euros home.
Team News
Spain’s quarter-final clash with Germany left Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand suspended for the semi-final due to disciplinary issues. Both defenders are now back and expected to bring fresh energy to the team. Carvajal, in top form, will likely replace Jesus Navas, while Le Normand should take Nacho’s spot on the bench.
Unfortunately, Pedri is out due to a knee injury from the quarters, and Ayoze Perez is also sidelined with a quadriceps tear. Despite Mikel Merino’s impressive quarter-final performance, Dani Olmo is expected to lead the attack, flanked by young talents Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. Alvaro Morata, who had a minor injury scare involving a pitch invader, is fit and ready to start.
England heads into the final with a fully fit squad, including Luke Shaw, who has recovered from his injury. Shaw replaced Kieran Trippier in the second half of the semi-final and could start in Berlin. Southgate is likely to stick with the 3-4-2-1 formation, with Harry Kane leading the attack, supported by Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. Kobbie Mainoo, at 19, has proven himself in the midfield and is expected to start in the final.
Predicted line-ups
ESP – Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Olmo; Yamal, Morata, Williams
ENG – Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Predictions
Southgate has already conceded that nothing less than perfection will do for England if they are to end 58 years of hurt in the senior men’s game, but Three Lions fans have not witnessed perfection from their beloved crop in Germany over the past few weeks; far from it in fact.
Once the Netherlands beefed up their midfield in the semi-final, England once again struggled for attacking ingenuity until the devastating Palmer and Watkins link-up, and a similar story could arise from the first whistle with the omnipresent Rodri at work.
A solitary goal should still come England’s way, as De la Fuente’s defence is far from watertight, but Spain’s fledgling attackers should once again prove too hot to handle, even for a menacing England backline. As was the case at Wembley three years ago, Sunday’s final will likely end in tears of misery for the Three Lions, as La Roja become the most successful team in the history of the European Championships. Spain 2-1 England – (Sportsmole)
England will continue to show improvement, but it is hard to see how they will be a match from Spain, who have already come up against Europe’s best in the competition, compared to the easier route for Southgate’s men. Spain 1-1 England (Spain to win in extra time) – (Independent)
Whilst England aren’t the favourites to win, they have shown signs of improvement in each match. And most importantly at their very worst have still found a way to navigate each match. England’s defence is not too shabby and they have so far found a way back from going behind. We’re also pretty good at penalties now whilst Spain isn’t. England to win 2-1 Spain. – (WTX SPORT)
