Spain vs England Preview

The biggest football match of the year takes place between Spain and England, and the winner will have European bragging rights for the next four years. The Three Lions will be looking to exorcise the ghosts of 2021 when they failed to beat Italy on penalties in the final of Euro 2020. Meanwhile Spain will see this as an opportunity to reclaim their place at the top of international football, a seat which they haven’t held since they last won the Euros in 2012.

Spain’s Euro 2024 has definitely been one to remember. They started off their campaign with an excellent win over Croatia and haven’t looked back since. Subsequent victories over Italy, Germany and France has made them the favourites going into the final.

Throughout the tournament, it seems as if there has been a different Spanish player to rave about each week. Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and most recently Dani Olmo have all been on fire since Euro 2024 kicked off and look like they could give England a real go.

Two beautiful goals from Yamal and Olmo secured Spain’s place in the final as they beat France. They actually fell behind after Randal Kolo Muani headed a Kylian Mbappe cross past Unai Simon in the first half of the Semi-Final, but two quick strikes from the Spaniards turned the game around.

It is in defence where Spain are at their weakest, having not kept a clean sheet since the Group Stage, however it is the same story for England too.

The Three Lions have grown into the tournament slowly, and now look like a team ready to win the tournament. Their group games were poor, but Jude Bellingham’s incredible overhead kick in the final minutes against Slovakia ignited a spark in the England team.

Since then they have won on penalties against Switzerland and beaten the Netherlands in a close Semi-Final match. Ollie Watkins was the hero on that occasion, coming off the bench to score a 90th minute winner.

Gareth Southgate has received a lot of criticism this tournament, but he got the game plan against the Netherlands spot on, even down to the substitutions, who came in clutch once again.

The Euro Final takes place between Spain and England at 8pm on 8th July at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. UK coverage is available on both BBC and ITV.

Spain vs England Team News

Spain Team News

Luis de la Fuente’s men will be close to full strength after being forced to play two second choice defenders in the Semi-Final. Both Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal are expected to come back into the squad following their suspensions, replacing Nacho and Jesus Navas respectively.

Pedri will still be unavailable, having picked up a tournament ending injury against Germany and Ayoze Perez will also miss the final with a quadriceps tear. Olmo is expected to keep his place, despite Mikel Merino’s excellent form off the bench in the last two matches.

There was some concern at full-time against France, that captain Alvaro Morata may have picked up an injury after he was on the receiving end of a two footed challenge from a steward. Somehow the Atletico Madrid forward escaped injury, and the steward escaped a straight red.

England Team News

The only team news coming out of the England camp this week is the revelation that Luke Shaw might be ready for his first start of the tournament. The Manchester United full-back made a brief appearance against Switzerland before coming on at half-time against the Netherlands, and so a start seems like the next logical step. Shaw scored an early opener last time England were at a European final.

Two relative newcomers to the England starting XI, Marc Guehi and Kobbie Mainoo, are expected to start once again, having impressed in the latter stages of the tournament. Watkins, despite his late goal against the Netherlands, will not replace captain Harry Kane up top.

Spain vs England Predicted Lineups

Spain

England

Spain vs England Score Prediction

Spain 2-1 England

Despite the recent performances being a stark improvement on the opening games, I don’t think England will have enough to take down Spain. The Spanish team have been excellent since day one and don’t look like faltering any time soon. It will take a below par performance from them for England to have a chance here.