Sporting arguably the best player in the world and the best young player in the world right now, Spain will look to make good on their wealth of talent with a European Championship when they contest the Euro 2024 final against England on Sunday in Berlin.
La Roja midfielder Rodri has catapulted himself into the Ballon d’Or conversation with a glittering performance across the entire 2024 competition. Meanwhile, teenage teammate Lamine Yamal is quickly becoming the newest household name, as he turns 17 years old.
Lamine Yamal turns 17 a day to the Euro final match
England, meanwhile, came into Euro 2024 as pre-tournament betting favorites, but are clear underdogs in this match as they have been poor throughout much of the competition. The Three Lions have managed to turn on the jets when required, though, and thus have themselves in the final with a chance at lifting their first major men’s trophy since 1966.
Bukayo Saka celebrates goal against Switzerland. // Squawka
England have never won a European Championship trophy, reaching the final three years ago but falling to eventual winners Italy in a penalty shootout. Despite plenty of criticism, Gareth Southgate has the side back within 90 minutes of a first-ever title, and supporters will feel football may finally be “coming home”.
England vs. Spain prediction
Spain have been by far the most impressive side at Euro 2024, and are coming off a win against a team that has a similar approach to England.
Dani Olmo has three goals and two assists at the Euros
La Roja punished France for their lack of attacking intent following an early goal, pouring on the pressure and turning the match around within the opening half-hour. Spain have been so incredibly efficient this entire competition, it’s hard to look past them.
England vs. Spain odds
Pre-tournament favorites England have accomplished the incredibly difficult task of reaching the final but finding themselves as strong underdogs. The betting market has been forced to value the Three Lions on performances over results, and the narrative around Gareth Southgate’s side has focused largely on their poor eye test.
This tournament has also seen a slight uptick in goals after a group stage and Round of 16 that were bereft of finishing quality, as eight of the last 12 Euro 2024 matches have gone over the 2.5 goal threshold. The final now features a clash of styles from that perspective. On the one hand, Spain have gone over the total in four of their six Euro 2024 games, including each of their three knockout matches — putting four past Georgia and two each against Germany and France.
England, meanwhile, seem largely averse to this — only one of their six Euro games have finished the 90 minutes of regulation over the total, and that was their 2-1 semifinal win over the Netherlands, which required a 91s- minute winner from Ollie Watkins and included a dubious penalty by Harry Kane.
England vs. Spain match facts
Date:Â Sunday, July 14, 2024
Kickoff Time:Â 9 p.m. local (8 p.m. UK / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
Location:Â Olympiastadion (Berlin, Germany)
Referee:Â Francois Letexier (FRA)
Last meeting:Â Spain 2-3 England (Oct. 15, 2018Â | UEFA Nations League)
Spain star Lamine Yamal, whose 17th birthday is the day before the final, became the youngest-ever goal scorer at the European Championship with his glittering strike against France in the semifinal. The Barcelona youngster is also the joint-leader for assists at the competition with three creative contributions, and is tied for the lead with 16 chances created as well.
The two players who have won possession back for their team the most often at Euro 2024 are both midfield partners for Spain — Fabian Ruiz leads the field having won possession 40 times, including 12 in the final third (twice as much as any other player at Euro 2024), while Rodri has snatched possession back 38 times (six in the final third, joint-second).
Prior to Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England head coach, the Three Lions made the semifinals of five major tournaments, and none since Euro 1996. Under Southgate, they have made the semifinals in three straight major international competitions, including two finals.
England vs. Spain team news
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will almost surely be without midfielder Pedri, who was injured in the quarterfinal and is likely unavailable for this match after missing the semifinal win over France. Dani Olmo has impressed in his place, and should continue to start. Dani Carvajal will return from his one-game red card suspension, taking over for Jesus Navas who struggled to deal with Kylian Mbappe in the semifinal.
Alvaro Morato is expected to play despite his worry after being wiped out in the celebrations after the semifinal.
England should have their full compliment of players available for selection. Luke Shaw has recovered from his injury, and while Gareth Southgate didn’t quite see fit to start him in the semifinal amidst fears he couldn’t complete 90 minutes, he came on at halftime against the Netherlands and hasn’t seen any recurrence.Â
Jude Bellingham has reportedly been playing with a shoulder injury but he apparently will not have surgery after the Euros, as it would see him sidelined for two months.
England vs. Spain best bet
Pick:Â Spain to score first
When evaluating the competition each of these two teams have faced to this stage of Euro 2024, England’s list of opponents pales in comparison to that of Spain.
England have barely slid by the likes of Serbia, Slovakia and the Netherlands, plus draws against Denmark, Slovenia, and Switzerland. La Roja, however, downed Croatia and Italy in the group stage, pummeled the tournament’s Cinderella story Georgia in the Round of 16, topped hosts Germany in extra time, and then beat France in a nervy but also emphatic result.
In those matches, Spain scored first in four of them. While they conceded fluky openers to Georgia and France early, they were largely the better side in both first halves as well, and have scored seven first-half goals of their own at Euro 2024.
England, meanwhile, were hit for an early goal by the Netherlands in the semifinals, and have largely only opened themselves up in the attack this summer after falling behind, comfortable to plod along while level.
England vs. Spain flier bet
Pick:Â Spain to score 2+ goals and register 6+ corners
England have conceded the fewest corners of any team at Euro 2024, an impressive feat given they’ve played enough games to reach the final, but they’ve also not played an opponent remotely like Spain. They conceded four to Denmark, who had 51% possession, and they conceded three to a high-energy but possessionally lacking Netherlands side.
Spain will be both high energy and possessionally strong, and that will give La Roja, who have collected the third-most corners of anyone at this competition, a good chance to get vertical. Against France, a similarly negative side like England, they still managed to put up four corners despite holding a lead for much of the game. They registered five against Italy in what will be a more representative predictor of this final.
There’s good value in this longshot special. Always remember to bet responsibly nonethless.
