Spain vs England EURO 2024 final preview: Everything you need to know

What do you need to know?

So here we are.

After four weeks of thrilling action featuring 24 teams, we are down to the final two in what looks set to be a classic EURO final.

For many, Spain have been the best side throughout the tournament, setting it alight with an exciting attacking brand of football which blends the experience of veterans like Rodri and Álvaro Morata with the unpredictability and talent of upcomers such as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

The likes of EURO holders Italy, hosts Germany and the ever-dangerous France had no answer to La Roja, and Luis de la Fuente’s men will be confident of finishing the job and becoming the first nation to ever win four EURO titles.

Standing in their way, though, are England who have really grown into the tournament after a slow start.

Ollie Watkins’ last-gasp winner off the bench in the semi-final against the Netherlands demonstrates the strength-in-depth at Gareth Southgate’s disposal, and it feels like things are starting to click at the perfect time.

After agonisingly losing the EURO 2020 final on home soil to Italy, the Three Lions will be mentally prepared for what is to come in Berlin; plus, they shouldn’t be daunted by Spain after beating them 3-2 in the Nations League in Seville in the teams’ most recent meeting. Strap yourselves in: this could be an epic encounter.

Possible line-ups

Spain: Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Olmo; Yamal, Morata, Williams

England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guéhi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Bellingham, Foden; Kane

Route to the final

Spain
Group B
3-0 vs Croatia (Morata 29, Fabián Ruiz 32, Carvajal 45+2)
1-0 vs Italy (Calafiori og 55)
1-0 vs Albania (Ferran Torres 13)

Round of 16
4-1 vs Georgia (Rodri 39, Fabián Ruiz 51, Williams 75, Olmo 83; Le Normand og 18)

Quarter-finals
2-1 vs Germany aet (Olmo 51, Merino 119; Wirtz 89)

Semi-finals
2-1 vs France (Yamal 21, Olmo 25; Kolo Muani 9)

England

Group C
1-0 vs Serbia (Bellingham 13)
1-1 vs Denmark (Kane 18; Hjulmand 34)
0-0 vs Slovenia

Round of 16
2-1 aet vs Slovakia (Bellingham 90+5, Kane 91; Schranz 25)

Quarter-finals
1-1 aet 5-3p vs Switzerland (Saka 80; Embolo 75)

Semi-finals
2-1 Netherlands (Kane 18p, Watkins 90+1; Simons 7)

Expert predictions

Graham Hunter, Spain reporter

Given how well Spain played in the EURO 2020 semi-final against Italy, this match-up with England could very easily have been the last EURO final at Wembley.

Several Spain starters have either played with, or suffered at the hands of, Jude Bellingham so it will be interesting to see how they try to minimise his influence. La Roja have been relentless in Germany: they came here to do this job, and there was only contained excitement after beating France in the semis.

Frankly, I think they still have a little bit more left to give.

Joseph Terry, England reporter

England’s passage through the knockout rounds has been far from easy, with a last-gasp equaliser to force extra time, a penalty shoot-out and Ollie Watkins’ superb 90th-minute winner against the Netherlands.

Undoubtedly, this is firming up the resolve and self-belief in the squad, who have developed an enviable ‘we cannot lose’ mentality.

After the heartbreak of the penalty defeat in the EURO 2020 final, this band of brothers has another chance to finally win some silverware for a country so desperate for success in its national sport.

Views from the camps

Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach: “I’m happy. I don’t have time to accumulate negative things in my life, only the good things. To be in a European final is one of the biggest achievements you can have in football. We are very calm and eager to play tomorrow.

“It’s a final so it’ll be a very equal game, very competitive. People need to understand that these games are always down to the smallest details. The team that make fewer mistakes will win the game. The team is approaching this game in its best moment.”

Jesús Navas, Spain defender: “England are a huge team with world-class players. It’s going to be really difficult, but we are very excited and very eager to play because we’ve been having a really good tournament.

“The relationship between the whole squad is fantastic. I hope we can make it happen for the squad and the country. I really hope we can win that trophy.”

Gareth Southgate, England manager: “Players don’t need motivating for matches like this; we’ve got to make sure we’re on the right side of the fine margins that decide these games. We know what it would mean to everyone at home and us as a squad – not just this group but all of the players who’ve been involved and all of the staff. They’ve all contributed to the culture of this group. We’d love to give everyone a special night tomorrow.

“[Spain] have a very clear way of playing; they have a settled team who press very well with real intensity. They keep possession very well so you have to be very organised. But we’ve also kept the ball very well in the last few games in particular.”

Harry Kane, England captain: “A lot of us were heartbroken after that result [in the EURO 2020 final]. It’s always a long journey to get back to where we are now. Full credit to the resilience shown by the boys, and it says everything about the mentality of this group that we’re back in another European final.

“Belief has grown as we’ve gone through the tournament. Our experiences build resilience and confidence. We know we have great players and great togetherness; we’re going to need all that and more. I’m sure there’ll be a few nerves, but when you go out on the pitch, it’s about doing your job.”

uefa.com