Then there were two. After a month of deliciously exciting football packed with storylines, great goals, own goals, and amazing talent being handicapped by their manager. The two finalists emerged through the heat and rain that accompanied these games in Germany. Spain and England will battle on Sunday after both teams notched 2-1 wins in the semifinals. The final is rich with amazing players, unique managers, and fun battles across the pitch.
Spain
Spain has been the best team this whole tournament. They have scored the most goals in the tournament (13) and had the most shots on goal (37). They boast a player in midfield, Rodri, who has lost three games for club and country since February 2023. He’s not even their best player. That would be 16-year-old Lamine Yamal.
Spain topped a group with three wins against Croatia, Italy, and Albania. Then they dispatched Georgia (country not state), Germany, and France. They have had a tough road to the final. The phrase, “battle-tested,” doesn’t do them justice. The Germany game could’ve easily been the final. Their game against France was also an instant classic. Despite some teams feeling dull, Spain has always felt extremely exciting to watch.
Key Player: Lamine Yamal
This view of Lamine Yamal's goal is ART 🤤🖼️ pic.twitter.com/7g7PjLCdlq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
Lamine Yamal, who is 16 but turns 17 on Saturday, has been the best player at these Euros. He’s never once looked like his age. Except in his face, he doesn’t look like a teenager. He scored the goal of the tournament against France, his only goal. He’s also created the most chances at the tournament according to Fotmob.
Yamal is dangerous when he cuts in on his left foot. He can either pass or shoot on his left when he cuts in with Hawkeye precision. Yamal has three assists, which is tied for the most, and combines well with Dani Carvajal at right-back. Yamal’s effort tracking back has also stood out, a lot of superstars don’t do this, but Yamal is an exception.
Yamal will be expected to ball out in Berlin on Sunday night, which seems like a lot of expectations to put on someone so young. Yet, he’s risen every time Spain has needed him. Whether it is because he was baptized by greatness or something else, Lamine Yamal seems like he will define the next 15-plus years of international football.
Key Advantage Over England: The Midfield
Usually, the team with the best midfield wins the tournament in international competition. In the final on Sunday, no question has the best midfield. Along with the aforementioned Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo have been superb. According to Fotmob ratings, Ruiz has been the best player in the tournament His control, combined with his tenacity going forward, has caused problems for opponents.
Someone on Reddit referred to Dani Olmo as, “class made of glass”. Insinuating he’s a terrific player but is injured too often. This tournament he’s been pure class. Olmo leads the Euros in goal contributions and is more attacking than Ruiz and Rodri. Olmo showed superb technique in the quarter-final and semi-final to score.
Spain will dominate England who will be playing Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield. Both will need Jude Bellingham to drop from a more attacking position to help out. Spain has far superior technical quality and has been playing better than their British counterparts.
The Manager: Luis De La Fuente
It’s been ten months since Luis de la Fuente publicly applauded a defiant sexist and misogynist claiming he wasn’t stepping down. De la Fuente apologized, but the damage was done and his reputation took a hit in Spain. Now, after he has guided a young Spanish side to their first major final in 12 years, he’s all the rage. Funny how winning makes people forget. Or maybe it’s sad, not funny.
Luis de la Fuente has done something few have managed to do during this tournament. He’s got the best out of the talent and put them in positions for their skill sets to thrive. France, Portugal, and England all have failed to get the best out of their attacking talent. Yet, Spain has abandoned the tiki-taka control that made them dominant and gone with pure, direct attacking football.
England
England is in the final after all the debate, discussion, and boring football. It doesn’t seem possible for a team that has looked like eleven players with no purpose or strategy at times. They have ended 90 minutes tied in four out of six games. England have averaged three in-a-half shots on goal in those six games. England have 5.7 expected goals compared to Spain’s 11.1.
Even though this team has put the neutral to bed, they’ve succeeded in one huge category: brilliant individual moments. Jude Bellingham had an incredible bicycle kick to save them at the death against Slovakia. Jordan Pickford was huge against the Swiss in the penalty shootout. Ollie Watkins was the super-sub of dreams to crush Dutch hearts in the semifinal. England can win this final due to their players producing world-class moments.
Key Player: Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka has been England’s most consistent outfield. He’s shown his versatility by playing left wing and left back. Saka did this despite saying he wasn’t going to play in defense. Saka’s goal against Switzerland in the quarterfinal was the typical Saka goal. He received the ball on the right wing cut in on his left and fired it into the bottom left corner.
ENGLAND FANS ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING THIS ON REPEAT 🏴🔁
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 6, 2024
WHAT A STRIKE THIS WAS FROM SAKA!!! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/GvWmI0M0DJ
Saka has been able to combine well with almost every player in England. He’s looked dangerous in every game he’s played. Saka will be tricky to defend wherever he lines up against Spain. Crucially, Saka will also be key in defense. Spain will look to isolate Saka one-on-one and go at him when he’s back defending.
Key Advantage Over Spain: In Goal
England has a better goalie than Spain does. Insofar as it pertains to big-game experience. Jordan Pickford, England’s goalie, has played in a World Cup semifinal and Euro final. Pickford has arguably been England’s best player at this tournament. He’s come up with huge saves against the Swiss and the Netherlands.
The Spain goalie Unai Simon has not played in many big games throughout his career for club and country. He did play in the Copa Del Rey final for Athletic Bilbao this season. Other than that he hasn’t been in a final. He’s only saved five penalties out of 33 faced in his career. Pickford came up huge in the penalty shootout against Italy in the Euro final in 2021. Despite this, he could only watch as the shooters let him down.
The Manager: Gareth Southgate
Over the past month, no man has received more criticism in England than Gareth Southgate. This is the same country in which Rishi Sunak was Prime Minister for the majority of the past month.
Southgate has kept the focus on him and not his players when it comes to the criticism faced. The players have never seemed to stop playing for him. However at times in this tournament, it just seems they don’t know what they are supposed to be doing. Southgate, whether by luck or design, has fallen into the right formation at the right time. With the three at the back system, he’s unlocked more space for his playmakers to thrive.
This final will likely be Southgate’s last game as England boss. He’s got them to two major finals and a semifinal since 2016. That’s one more final than England reached in its history before Southgate took charge. Any club or country should count their blessings if he takes charge of their team next.
Final Prediction
In Berlin on Sunday, 22 men will take the field. When the game ends, one country will idolize their team forever. The final will most likely be an ugly game, as most finals are. Spain will need to get the ball to their wingers early and often to set the tone. England will have to be perfect at defending to have a chance in this. I think the midfield and wingers for Spain will be too much for England.
Prediction: Spain 3-1 England
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Featured image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
