England face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday as the Three Lions try to finally end a wait of more than half a century for a major trophy.
Gareth Southgate’s side have endured a rollercoaster ride in Germany this summer, stuttering through the group phase with two underwhelming draws before a dramatic late overhead kick by Jude Bellingham saved them from a dismal exit in the round of 16. But since then, England have clicked into gear with an improved display to edge past Switzerland on penalties and another step up to see off Netherlands, after Ollie Watkins’ superb last-minute strike secured a 2-1 win.
But now they face a Spanish side widely considered the best team in the tournament, something Southgate himself has admitted. “They would be rightly favourites for what they have done this tournament. They have been the best team. They have got a day longer and in the last 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 we are here.”
Follow all the build-up to England v Spain in the Euro 2024 final below.
Euro 2024 awards: Best player, standout goal, favourite match and more
Euro 2024 is drawing to a close with just the final ahead, where Spain will face England in Berlin on Sunday.
That match will see either La Roja pick up their first trophy in over a decade – or the Three Lions win their first in very nearly six.
One more match, the biggest of all, could of course influence decisions over who has had most impact at the tournament or who will win the official awards, but here at the Independent we’re getting our votes in now ahead of the final to have our say on the best goals, games and individuals, plus the team of the tournament and what our biggest takeaway from Germany is.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 July 2024 21:00
Uefa confirm baffling Golden Boot decision ahead of Euro 2024 final
Uefa have confirmed how the Golden Boot will be awarded after the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, with Harry Kane still in the running to claim it for a second major international tournament.
Having scored six times at the 2018 World Cup to claim top scorer on that occasion, the Bayern Munich front man and Three Lions skipper has netted three so far in Germany this summer.
Scoring from the penalty spot against Netherlands in the semis – after also finding the target against Denmark and in extra time against Slovakia – put Kane level at the top with Dani Olmo of Spain, Cody Gakpo of Netherlands, Jamal Musiala of hosts Germany, Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze and Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz.
Karl Matchett in Germany12 July 2024 20:30
How Gareth Southgate changed England fortunes and rebranded patriotism
Southgate, you’re the one. The one manager in England’s century and a half of playing men’s international football to take them to two finals. The only one to reach a final on foreign soil. The one who, if Spain are beaten in Berlin on Sunday, will have a claim to dislodge Sir Alf Ramsey from the top of the list of England managers.
Richard Jolly in Germany12 July 2024 20:00
The Euros has lost its unique selling point – it is no longer a great tournament
Having had his finalists lavishly praised in comparison to other sides at the Euros, Spain coach Luis De La Fuente made a point of being respectful to everyone else’s style.
It is a fairly widespread feeling, as illustrated by how often the subject has been brought up in press conferences. Didier Deschamps’s constant comments about “changing the channel” if you don’t like it have informed the mood, although many viewers will obviously feel the final will be much better for his dour France team not being in it.
Miguel Delaney in Germany12 July 2024 19:40
Gareth Southgate will be knighted if England win Euro 2024, says Chris Kamara
The Independent12 July 2024 19:20
Bore draws, penalty drama and Netherlands glory – England’s route to Euros final
Want to dredge back through the drearier parts of England’s tournament? Here’s how Gareth Southgate’s side set up a final against Spain:
Harry Latham-Coyle12 July 2024 19:00
Previous meetings between England and Spain ahead of Euro 2024 final
England will meet Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday in Berlin following their dramatic 2-1 victory over Netherlands.
Ollie Watkins scored a dramatic last-gasp winner in Dortmund on Wednesday to send England’s men to a first major final on foreign soil.
Here, the PA news agency looks back at previous meetings between Sunday’s European Championship finalists.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 July 2024 18:40
Trent Alexander-Arnold: England cannot have doubts heading into Euro 2024 final
Trent Alexander-Arnold feels it would be a “crime” if England allowed any doubts to creep in as they prepare for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against Spain.
Gareth Southgate’s squad beat the Netherlands in a dramatic semi-final on Wednesday night with a late goal from Ollie Watkins to book a trip to Berlin.
It is the first time an English men’s team has reached a major final overseas – and a second successive European Championship showpiece for a side who lost on penalties to Italy at Wembley three years ago.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 July 2024 18:20
Is Gareth Southgate a substitution genius? Every England sub at Euro 2024 ranked and rated
During every England game, the cries across pubs, living rooms and social media insist that the England boss make immediate changes by bringing on a very specific player that the armchair manager knows for sure will definitely, 100 per cent win the Three Lions the game. Of course, this is a different player for each armchair manager but the certainty is always there.
Then, the ‘hilarious’ memes of Southgate wearing a life jacket in the shower or a helmet on an exercise bike to signal his excessive caution will be fired around WhatsApp groups, normally accompanied by scathing wit such as “lol, this is so true.”
But is Southgate’s reputation underserved? Here we look at every substitution he has made throughout Euro 2024, rating and ranking each one to find out exactly which changes have been the most impactful:
Luke Baker12 July 2024 18:00
Alan Shearer urges Gareth Southgate to make one England change for Euro 2024 final
And the former Three Lions striker insists Luke Shaw, replacing Kieran Trippier at left-back, could offer an extra dimension in attack.
“If you notice, particularly when he brought Luke Shaw on, there were two or three occasions where Kieran Trippier got down the left-hand side and the ball could have come in early,” Shearer said on The Rest is Football Podcast.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 July 2024 17:40