England is set to face Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin tonight, and the nation is hoping for a victory that would end their 58-year title drought. The Three Lions secured their spot in the final with a last-minute goal from Ollie Watkins against the Netherlands. On the other hand, Spain has been dominant throughout the tournament, winning all their matches and knocking out pre-tournament favorites France. The Spanish team boasts exciting new stars like Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, who have played a crucial role in their success.
England’s journey to the final has been marked by late strikes, including a penalty shootout victory against Switzerland. Despite their struggles in the group stage, England’s resilience has been evident in their knockout matches. They were just 90 seconds away from being knocked out by Slovakia before Jude Bellingham’s equalizer saved them. England then went on to win in extra time against Switzerland before defeating the Netherlands in the semi-finals with another late goal from Ollie Watkins.
Both teams are in excellent form, with Spain winning all their matches so far and not conceding a single goal in the group stage. England, on the other hand, has shown determination and grit in their performances. The managers of both teams have praised their opponents’ strengths and acknowledged the challenge that awaits them in the final. Gareth Southgate highlighted Spain’s pressing game and emphasized the need for England to be exceptional both with and without the ball. Luis de la Fuente recognized that Spain has offered a better version of themselves so far but believes that won’t have any influence on a one-off game.
In terms of team news, Gareth Southgate may consider starting Ollie Watkins after his heroics in the semi-final. Luke Shaw is also pushing for a start in place of Kieran Trippier. On the other side, Luis de la Fuente is expected to reintroduce Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand into the team after their suspension, and Alvaro Morata is likely to start despite an incident involving a security guard during the celebrations.
Both teams have star players ready to make an impact in the final. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and England’s Jude Bellingham are expected to take the game by the scruff of the neck. The managers’ predictions reflect the intensity of the match, with both acknowledging the challenge they face. Southgate believes that England has shown a better version of themselves and has a good chance of winning, despite the extra day of rest for Spain. De la Fuente acknowledges England’s quality players and expects a tough match but remains confident in his team’s ability.
In terms of a prediction, this match is seen as one of the most pivotal in England’s history. While Spain has been the tournament’s most impressive side, England has shown resilience and determination in their knockout matches. It is predicted that England will narrowly edge out Spain with a battling performance for the ages.
The final between England and Spain will take place tonight at Olympiastadion in Berlin, with a capacity for approximately 74,475 fans. The match will be broadcast live on BBC One and ITV 1 in the UK, with coverage starting at 7pm BST. Fans can also stream the match through BBC iPlayer or ITV X. It is worth noting that a valid TV license is required to watch the match for free in the UK.
In terms of odds, England is priced at 5/2 to win in 90 minutes, while a draw is at 9/5 and Spain is favored to win at 6/4. When it comes to lifting the trophy, England is priced at 11/10, while Spain is at 8/11.
Overall, this highly anticipated final between England and Spain promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to secure victory and make history. The stage is set for an unforgettable night of football in Berlin.