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Spain and England Set for Euro 2024 Final Showdown |
England are eager to end their long wait for a major men's international tournament victory as they face a formidable Spain team in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
The match will take place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, kicking off at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT), concluding a month of football where Spain — featuring teenage sensation Lamine Yamal — have been the standout team.
Spain have already defeated several of Europe's top teams, winning all six matches on their way to the final. They aim to become European champions for a record fourth time, following their victories in 1964, 2008, and 2012.
England, on the other hand, have had a mixed tournament but delivered their best performance in the semi-finals, defeating the Netherlands 2-1 with Ollie Watkins scoring the decisive goal.
This marks England's second consecutive European Championship final, as they seek to overcome the disappointment of their penalty shoot-out loss to Italy in the 2020 final at Wembley.
If Gareth Southgate's team triumphs, it will be England's first major title in 58 years, since their 1966 World Cup victory on home soil.
"We know we have to win this one to earn the respect of the football world," Southgate said on Saturday, reflecting on the team's recent near misses.
England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, lost the Euro 2020 final, and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup by France.
Led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, England arrived in Germany as strong contenders but struggled in the group stage, winning only once against Serbia and scoring just two goals.
They needed Bellingham's heroics to overcome Slovakia in the last 16, eventually winning in extra time, before defeating Switzerland on penalties and edging out the Netherlands.
Spain will be their toughest challenge yet, as the teams meet in a major tournament for the first time since Euro 96, when England, featuring Southgate as a player, won on penalties in the quarter-finals.
"The belief has grown as we've progressed through the tournament," Kane said. "What we've experienced with late goals and penalty shoot-outs has built resilience and confidence. The team is obviously confident."
### Spain, England Euro Final: Will Yamal Shine Again?
Spain's exciting new generation, under coach Luis de la Fuente, has led the nation to their first men's major tournament final since their remarkable victories at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012.
With Rodri Hernandez commanding the midfield and dynamic wingers Nico Williams and Yamal — who turned 17 on Saturday — Spain have been a bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming tournament.
Spain won all their group games without conceding a goal, notably defeating 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia and reigning European champions Italy.
They overcame hosts Germany in extra time in the quarter-finals in Stuttgart, before a stunning goal from Yamal helped them come from behind to beat Kylian Mbappe's France in the semi-finals.
"Tomorrow, I will ask the least of my team. They have given everything. Tomorrow is simply about enjoying it," said the 63-year-old De la Fuente.
"We are two great sides, the best two teams. It will be a very even game.
"It really is just the little details that decide matches like these. The team that makes the fewest mistakes has the best chance of winning."
