Euros final preview: Spain vs England
England have clinched their place at a second consecutive Euros final; Gareth Southgate is on the verge of steering the Three Lions to their first major tournament championship since 1966, and only the second in their history.
Maybe it’s time to stop questioning the England coach and just enjoy the ride.
There’s cause for optimism for England
Spain fans have been enjoying quite a ride themselves, of course. Lamine Yamal turns 17 on Saturday; could he enjoy the ultimate birthday present a day later, scoring in a Euros final – and helping to secure the Henri Delaunay Cup for his nation?
Let’s hope not. And there’s cause for cautious optimism for the English. With victory over the Netherlands this week, England put in their best performance of the campaign.
Even then, there were obstacles to surmount, and arguably a slice of fortune in Southgate’s favour. England were awarded a soft penalty after going behind to Xavi Simons’ seventh minute goal for the Dutch.
But Southgate’s substitutes proved inspired, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins replacing Foden and Kane. It was Palmer who set up Watkins for his winning goal in stoppage time.
Now, England take on Spain at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Sunday, with England looking to triumph in a major tournament on foreign soil – something they’ve never previously achieved.
But Spain are three-time winners of the Euros. And the current side have won in style over the last few weeks, seeing off Germany and France in the knockout stages.
In fact, La Roja have been outstanding all tournament. They won five of their six games in normal time (during the quarter-finals, they knocked out Germany late in extra time).
In the semis, Spain went behind to a France team famed for their ability to grind out results. Yet less than 20 minutes later, Luis de la Fuente’s side had turned the game on its head, sensational teenager Yamal and RB Leipzig striker Dani Olmo both netting to flummox the French. Didier Deschamps’ side had conceded just a single goal in their previous five Euros matches.
England have been here before
Spain are favourites on Sunday. One side has entertained; the other has eked out wins. Does it matter? Are De La Fuente’s side set to produce another dominant performance? Or could the Spanish find themselves thoroughly Southgated in Berlin?
England have been here before, losing to Italy on penalties three years ago in the Euro 2020 final, despite having taken a lead after just two minutes through Luke Shaw.
It’s not unusual for finals to be cagey, low scoring games – the kind of games England have been involved with for much of the tournament. Spain have shown they can do things differently, though; in 2012, they beat Italy 4-0 in the final to lift the trophy.
Alvaro Morata is expected to be fit for the final; good news for Spain, after the captain was accidentally clattered by a security guard in the aftermath of the Germany win.
For England, it seems unlikely Southgate will try anything too radical; though if the side take an early goal and then sit back, Spain will find a way to strike back.
Attack could be the best form of defence; and after a tournament that hasn’t always delivered a glut of goals, this final could be quite lively. You can back over 2.5 goals at 31/20.
And the outcome? England are 6/5 to win the trophy. After a tournament that’s been notable for individual moments rather than outstanding team performances from the Three Lions, maybe the mother of all magic moments awaits on Sunday.
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