Spain’s main sports newspapers are very confident of victory (Picture: AS / MARCA)
Spain’s major sports newspapers are confident that football won’t be coming home and England are set for another painful defeat in tonight’s Euro 2024 final.
La Roja has swept all before on en route to tonight’s showpiece occasion in Berlin and will start as justifiable favourites.
Under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, Spain have won all six of their matches at the tournament so far, knocking out hosts Germany and pre-tournament jollies France in the knockout stages.
England, by contrast, have coughed and spluttered their way to a second successive European Championship final, requiring a last minute equaliser to avoid an embarrassing defeat against Slovakia, before coming from behind to beat both Switzerland and Netherlands.
Given their unconvincing form, a number of Spanish media outlets appear to believe their name is already on the trophy, with one particular website taking a pop at the England skipper, no less.
‘Kane never wins anything’ read one particular headline, referencing the Bayern Munich striker’s career-long trophy drought.
Barcelona-based sport, meanwhile, opted to focus there being ”no chemistry’ in attack’ which may well come back to haunt them given the way the likes of Bukayo Saka have improved with each passing match.
Lamine Yamal has lit up Euro 2024 for Spain (Picture: Getty)
Harry Kane is still searching to win his first major trophy at any level (Picture: Getty)
Marca leads its coverage of the final with the headline ‘And for the fourth’, noting Spain’s bid to add to their European Championship wins in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
De la Fuente, however, refused to entertain the idea that the final would be a forgone conclusion speaking at his pre-match press conference.
‘There are no favourites,’ he said. ‘It’s an even match-up, just as our previous knockout games were. If we are not above the level we displayed in those games, we won’t have a chance of winning – and the same if we make mistakes.
‘It’s fantastic to be here and we are excited to be in the final. It’s one of the biggest sporting achievements there is. We are relaxed and looking forward to playing.
‘Sunday will be a complicated game against a great team, between the best two teams, that’s why we are in the final.
‘These matches, which are so even, are often decided by the finer details. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will have the best chance of winning.’