Tonight, England aim to claim their first ever European championship with Spain looking to claim their first since 2012 and reinstate their footballing heritage and take their place on the top step once again.
England, the cradle of modern football, has a rich history in the sport, highlighted by their iconic 1966 World Cup triumph. However, their journey in European Championships has been a rollercoaster, with near misses and heartaches. The Three Lions are now on the brink of ending a 58-year major tournament drought.
Spain, on the other hand, has been the epitome of footballing excellence in the 21st century. Spain's golden era saw them clinch two consecutive Euro titles in 2008 and 2012, along with the 2010 World Cup. Their fluid, possession-based style has set benchmarks in international football, and they have been the standout team of this tournament.
England have struggled to play as a unit this summer, with individual brilliance helping the Three Lions through the tournament ladder. Jude Bellingham's injury time bicycle kick pushed them over the line against Slovakia, with Bakayo Saka's international redemption coming to a beautiful fruition as he scored to take England to penalties, and after the tragic events of Euro 2020 stood strong and slotted his penalty away to help England reach the semi-finals. It was then left to substitute Ollie Watkins who's shot sweetly found the bottom corner from a tight angle in the 90th minute to help England get over the line again. However, for those who believe in fate, this tournament which has been full of late thrills could just be the luck we have been missing over the years.
England's talismanic striker, Harry Kane, has faced an arduous journey throughout Euro 2024. The Tottenham forward, who has shouldered the weight of England’s attacking hopes, struggled to find his form. Kane's struggles come from his lack of pace, he drops deep and plays balls of such elegance out to the wide areas of the pitch but due to his lack of raw speed he struggles to get into the box when the service arrives. This begs the question on whether the England Skipper should start and for most, to drop our captain in one of the most important games in Englands history, dropping Kane would be a ludicrous decision. But it is a plausible avenue that Southgate may opt for tonight.
One of the defining features of England's campaign has been their resilience and knack for scoring late goals. This never-say-die attitude was exemplified in their dramatic quarter-final and semi-final victories, where last-minute heroics turned the tide in their favor. This trait will be essential against a technically proficient Spanish side that rarely gives away leads.
In contrast, Spain's journey to the final has been illuminated by the prodigious talent of 16-year-old sensation, Lamine Yamal. The youngster has been a revelation. Yamal's performances have not only captured the imagination of fans but also provided Spain with a creative edge that has been instrumental in their success. His ability to unlock defenses could be a key factor in tonight’s encounter, Yamal will most likely be up against Kieran Trippier, who like Kane has struggled to perform and has had a rough tournament on that flank due to his inability to utilise his left foot. If Luke Shaw is fit tonight it could be a very different story for Yamal, but Englands defence has to be switched on until the final whistle to keep the youth prodigy silent.
Spain has been the best team of Euro 2024, a testament to their cohesive unit and tactical brilliance. Under the astute guidance of their manager who has blended experience with emerging talents seamlessly. Their journey to the final has been marked by commanding victories, tactical masterclasses, and a brand of football that is both aesthetically pleasing and ruthlessly efficient. Spains ability to capture the ball and frustrate teams trying to press will clash with Englands high press we have seen when they play in the back three system which will also be an interesting battle to watch unfold this evening.
As England seeks to end their long wait for silverware, Spain aims to reaffirm their supremacy in European football. Berlin is set for a night of high drama, and football fans around the world are in for a treat as these two footballing giants clash to be named champions of Europe, England for the first time and Spain for their first championship in over a decade.
