Spain, unbeaten since the start of the competition, face runners-up England in the Euro 2024 final this Sunday, July 14 in Berlin. The Spanish want to end a ten-year slump by winning their first major trophy since 2012, while the English have a new opportunity to make history for their country by winning their first title since 1966.
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Will we witness the return of the king or the long-awaited coronation of a new dynasty? In any case, it is an opposition of style and career that will be played out between the Spanish and the English in the final of Euro 2024, this July 14 in Berlin. Nothing or almost nothing is similar between the Roja and the Three Lions, both in terms of their history in the national team and their diametrically opposed careers during this German edition.
Spain dominated the competition from start to finish, establishing themselves as the most attractive team in the tournament in terms of play and the most convincing in terms of results with a perfect record of six wins in as many games played, and this without ever having been taken to extra time since the round of 16. Their record is clear: Croatia, Italy, Germany and France have all fallen victim to the Spanish fury.
England’s path to the final stage of the competition has been much more tortuous. England have had a very sluggish tournament so far, drawing two games against Denmark and Slovenia in the group stage despite their wealth of talent. But from the start of the decisive matches, the resilience of Southgate’s men has always made the difference at the best of times.
Coming close to an early exit against Slovakia in the last 16, England were saved by their gem Bellingham with an acrobatic overhead kick in the very last minute, before Kane came on to snatch victory. Bis repetita in the quarter-finals against Switzerland, who were eliminated after an uninspired 120 minutes and a penalty shootout. In the finals, their only win outside extra time was against the Netherlands in the semi-finals thanks to a gong-winning effort by Watkins. We didn’t play our best football, you don’t have to be a genius to realize that. “, he also acknowledged.
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The power of heritage in the quest for consecration
Has the time for consecration finally arrived for the English selection? Already finalists of Euro 2021 but defeated by Italy on penalties at Wembley, the English have a new opportunity to win their first major title since the 1966 World Cup. A wait that has become interminable in England after the recurring failures of several golden generations. In Berlin, the Lions will also play the very first final in their history abroad.
But facing them, Luis de la Fuente’s players are determined to reconnect with their European heritage, which makes them the most successful nation in the European Championship with three titles won (1964, 2008 and 2012) equal with Germany. Above all, Spain finally seems able to regain its place at the top of European football after a ten-year drought without any national title since its historic treble that has never been equalled (Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012).
De la Fuente, who has restored the shine to La Roja, has not changed the typical DNA of the Spanish selection but has managed to revive a team at rock bottom after its failure in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup and rebuild a team that was difficult to contain on the pitch, with new impetuous talents such as Lamine Yamal, the youngest player in history to play and score in a Euro, and Nico Williams. These nuggets are perfectly supported by the experienced Morata, Carvajal and Rodri, who is as essential in the heart of La Roja’s game as he is in that of Manchester City.
The Spanish midfielder, who has become a key pillar of the Manchester club over the last five seasons, will have a real opponent in front of him in the person of Jude Bellingham, author of an exceptional season at Real Madrid and decisive for England during this Euro despite more subdued performances. The duel that the two midfielders will engage in in the final should also decide the winner of the next Ballon d’Or.
On the attack front, the Three Lions are not left behind either with their offensive armada composed notably of Mainoo, Foden, Saka and their captain Harry Kane, the best English scorer in history but still looking for a first trophy in his career at almost 31 years old. I will have the opportunity to win one of the biggest trophies you can win and make history for my country. So yes, without a doubt, I would trade everything in my career to experience a special night and win on Sunday night. ” said the English striker. The Berlin final will in any case crown a new era, whether for the English or Spanish selection.
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