England to face Spain in Euro 2024 final live on BBC
Get ready for a thrilling football showdown as England takes on Spain in the Euro 2024 final! This highly anticipated match, set to take place on Sunday in Berlin, promises to be a captivating affair with both teams aiming for European glory. The game kicks off at 20:00 BST and will be broadcast live on BBC One and the iPlayer, ensuring that football fans across the nation won’t miss a single moment of the action. BBC Radio 5 Live will also provide commentary, while the BBC Sport website and app offer live text commentary for those who prefer a digital experience. ITV will also be showing the final, giving viewers multiple options to tune in.
England, having overcome the Netherlands 2-1 in a hard-fought semi-final, are eager to go one step further than their Euro 2020 performance, where they fell short in the final against Italy. However, their path to victory is far from easy. Standing in their way is Spain, the tournament’s dominant force, and a team known for their tactical prowess and stylish football. This clash promises to be a battle of styles, with England’s attacking flair meeting Spain’s intricate passing game.
The Three Lions will be looking to their star players, such as the dynamic duo of Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, to provide the spark that could ignite their attack. Their defense, led by the experienced John Stones and the emerging talent of Kyle Walker, will need to be at their best to contain the Spanish threat. Gareth Southgate’s England has shown resilience and determination throughout the tournament, and they will need every ounce of those qualities to overcome the formidable challenge posed by Spain.
Spain, on the other hand, has been in a class of its own at Euro 2024. Their journey to the final has been a testament to their strength and depth. They have conquered formidable opponents along the way, including Croatia, Italy, Germany, and France, with a display of masterful football. Their ability to adapt to different styles and outmaneuver their opponents has made them a formidable force. Led by the experienced captain Jordi Alba and the rising star Lamine Yamal, Spain’s attack has been a force to be reckoned with, scoring a tournament-leading 13 goals.
As the stage is set for this momentous clash, both England and Spain will be drawing on their history and seeking inspiration from their past successes. England, with a rich footballing heritage, will be looking to emulate the triumphs of their predecessors, while Spain, with three European Championship titles under their belt, will be aiming to become the first nation to win the tournament four times.
What is England’s record against Spain?
This highly anticipated final marks the third time England and Spain will clash at a European Championship. Interestingly, the Three Lions have emerged victorious in both previous encounters. In the 1980 group stages, England secured a 2-1 victory over Spain in Naples, although both teams ultimately exited the tournament. Their next encounter came in 1996, during the last 16 stage at Wembley. England emerged victorious after a goalless draw, winning the penalty shootout.
These two nations have also crossed paths twice at the World Cup. In 1950, Spain triumphed 1-0 in a group stage match held in Rio de Janeiro. Four years later, in 1982, they played out a goalless draw at the Bernabeu during the second group stage. Their most recent meeting took place in the 2018 Nations League, where England secured a 3-2 victory in Seville. However, before that encounter, they had only won two out of their ten meetings (excluding penalty shootouts). This statistic underscores the close rivalry between these two historic footballing nations.
While England has a positive record against Spain in European Championship matches, the history of international and club finals paints a different picture. Spanish teams have enjoyed an impressive run of success in major finals, winning a remarkable 22 consecutive titles since 2001. This dominance is evident at both the national and club level. The Spanish national team has triumphed in their last three major tournament finals, while Spanish clubs have dominated the Champions League and Europa League finals, securing nine and ten consecutive victories respectively since 2001. This impressive record underscores the strength and experience of Spanish football on the grandest stage.
Spain’s tough run, doing it in style
While England was perceived to be in the easier half of the Euro 2024 draw, Spain’s journey to the final was far from a stroll in the park. They faced a gauntlet of formidable opponents, each presenting a unique challenge. In the group stage, they overcame both Croatia, the 2018 World Cup semi-finalists, and Italy, the reigning European champions. Their quarter-final clash saw them defeat the hosts, Germany, who were arguably the second-best team in the tournament. And to reach the final, they had to overcome the 2018 world champions, France, in a thrilling semi-final encounter.
What makes Spain’s run even more impressive is that they have achieved this feat without resorting to penalty shootouts. They have won all six of their matches in regulation time, a feat unmatched in European Championship history. This remarkable consistency reflects their depth of talent, tactical flexibility, and unwavering confidence. And to further highlight their dominance, they are the tournament’s top scorers, having netted an impressive 13 goals. This offensive firepower, coupled with their rock-solid defense, makes them a formidable force.
Spain’s rich history in the Euros adds another layer to their story. They have previously lifted the trophy in 1964, 2008, and 2012. Now, they are on the cusp of making history by becoming the first nation to win the European Championship four times. Their ambition and pedigree make them a true threat to England’s hopes for glory.
Spain have the tournament’s star
If Spain emerges victorious, this tournament will likely be remembered as the coming-out party for Lamine Yamal. His emergence has been likened to the meteoric rise of Pele at the 1958 World Cup. This 16-year-old Barcelona prodigy became the youngest-ever player to feature in a European Championship when he started their opening game against Croatia. His impact was immediate and impactful. In the semi-final, his stunning goal, which made him the youngest goalscorer at a Euros or World Cup, breaking Pele’s record. He also surpassed Pele’s record for being the youngest player to score in a semi-final of either tournament.
Yamal’s contribution goes beyond goals. He has been a consistent performer, showcasing his talent with three assists and 13 chances created. He has been a revelation on the right wing, while on the left, he has been joined by another star in the making: Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, who is also just 21 years old. These two young talents, who have become close friends, celebrate their birthdays in the two days leading up to the final. Their emergence symbolises the exciting future of Spanish football.
Luis de la Fuente’s squad also boasts Dani Olmo, the current leader in the Golden Boot race. Despite only starting two games, he has scored three goals, equalling four other players. However, his two assists give him the edge in the race for the prestigious award. Another contender for the player of the tournament is Rodri, Spain’s Manchester City defensive midfielder. This 28-year-old, who was born on the day England eliminated Spain from Euro ’96, has enjoyed an exceptional run of form, losing only one of his past 79 games for club and country. His consistency and leadership have been crucial to Spain’s success.
What do the BBC pundits say about Spain?
The BBC’s expert pundits have been full of praise for Spain’s performance at Euro 2024. Alan Shearer, the former England striker, commented, “They’ve got everything you need to be successful, and that’s the reason they’ve won every single game at this tournament.” Chris Sutton, another respected commentator, echoed Shearer’s sentiment, stating, “It is hard to see anybody touching them. They seem to be on a different level to anybody else in this tournament.” Micah Richards, a former England defender, added his voice to the chorus of praise, acknowledging, “The worries I had about this Spanish team, they answered them against France – how they can adapt to situations and when you have pace on the wings you always have a chance. They look really balanced, and I think they are favourites.” These observations highlight the widespread belief among experts that Spain is the team to beat.
- England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final, promising a thrilling football showdown.
- The final will be broadcast live on BBC One, iPlayer, and ITV, providing multiple viewing options for fans.
- England aims to go one step further than their Euro 2020 performance by overcoming Spain in the final.
- Spain, the dominant force in the tournament, boasts tactical prowess and stylish football.
- The match will feature a clash of styles with England’s attacking flair against Spain’s intricate passing game.
- Key players to watch include Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka for England, and Jordi Alba and Lamine Yamal for Spain.
- Both teams will need to showcase resilience and determination to emerge victorious in this highly anticipated final.
