Spain are the favourites heading into Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against England (Picture: Getty)
How are the nerves, England fans?
The Three Lions have come under intense scrutiny and faced heavy criticism over the last month but find themselves on the brink of history, 24 hours away from the final of Euro 2024 and within touching distance of ending 58 years of hurt.
It took a stunning last-gasp strike from substitute Ollie Watkins as England overcame the Netherlands in an absorbing semi-final in Dortmund last time out and supporters up and down the country will be bracing themselves for yet another rollercoaster ride.
Only Spain stand between Gareth Southgate’s men and footballing immortality but La Roja have been far and away the best team in Germany this summer, winning all six of their encounters in convincing fashion en route to Sunday’s showpiece.
Rising stars Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal have brought a new dimension to Spain’s attack and England know they will be likely punished unless they find another gear in Berlin.
Facing the media ahead of what could be his final match as England manager, Southgate conceded that Spain were the favourites and that his side would have to be tactically ‘perfect’ to get their hands on the trophy.
‘They would be rightly favourites for what they have done this tournament,’ the Three Lions boss said.
England are preparing for the nation’s first ever major final on foreign soil (Picture: Getty)
‘They have been the best team.
‘They have got a day longer and in the past three finals, maybe more, it has been quite significant, so we have got to get our recovery spot on.
‘Tactically we will have to be perfect as they are such a good side. But, you know, we are here.”
Yamal and Williams have shone in Germany this summer (Picture: Getty)
A Spanish victory would take the nation clear of Germany (3) for the most European Championship titles, with La Roja previously triumphing in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
And while England’s players may greater experience of playing at the business end of tournaments in recent years, Spain only have to look at their frankly outrageous record in major competition finals for encouragement this weekend.
This is the bit where England fans may want to look away…
Staggeringly, no Spanish national team or Spanish club has lost in the final of a major tournament against a non-Spanish side since as far back as 2001. That includes European Championships, World Cups, Champions Leagues and Europa Leagues.
Major competition finals against non-Spanish teams since 2001
Played: 22
Won: 22
Scored: 50
Conceded: 14
In that time, Spanish teams have won all 22 of their appearances in major finals, scoring a total of 50 goals while conceding only 14 times.
Despite that gloomy stat, former England captain Wayne Rooney has confidently backed the Three Lions to defeat Spain and win their first ever final on foreign soil.
‘I think England will win the game 2-1,’ the legendary ex-England and Manchester United forward told The Olive Press.
‘I thought in the last game against the Netherlands, we played really well and we deserved to win.
‘It’s going to be an exciting game, there will be a lot of young talent on the pitch.
‘I’m sure it will be a good game, a close game, but I think England might just nick it.’
On Southgate’s possible starting XI, Rooney added: ‘I think Gareth will do the same [as the Netherlands semi-final] but I think maybe Luke Shaw might come in and the rest will be the same, so I think that will be the line-up he goes with.’
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