Euro 2024: Fabian Ruiz & Spain face defiant England for European crown
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The 17th edition of the European Championships will draw to a close with a battle in Berlin between two powerhouse finalists, England and Spain on Sunday evening (21:00 CET). La Roja are hoping to live up to their favourites label to be crowned kings of the continent, but a resolute and defiant England side stands in their way. It will be the third meeting between the two sides at a European Championship, with England winning in the 1980 group stage (2-1) before progressing on penalties in the 1996 quarter-final (4-2).
The Three Lions were the favourites at the beginning of the tournament, but after a somewhat low-key group stage England would have to scrape past Slovakia (2-1) in extra time and then need to be taken to penalties (3-5) against Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Gareth Southgate's side would however emerge with their best performance of the tournament against the Netherlands, recovering from a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1 in the 90th minute thanks to an outstanding finish from Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
Southgate will be leading England into a second-straight Euro final following the Three Lions' heartbreaking defeat on penalties to Italy at Wembley back in 2021. It will, however, be the first time England face the prospect of a major tournament final on foreign soil - with their last major international trophy win coming in 1966 at Wembley against West Germany.
Spain have arguably played the best football, and are the best attacking side coming into the tournament with 13 goals in six games in 2024. The Iberian side have won in their last three major tournament finals, winning the Euros in 2008 and 2012, as well as the FIFA World Cup in 2010. No other side has been successful in four consecutive World Cup / Euro final matches before.
The inexorable rise of Lamine Yamal is now proving fruitful on the major international stage, with the 16-year-old beginning Spain's fightback against France in the semi-final with a magnificently curled effort for his third-ever Spain goal. Dani Olmo's equally fantastic second goal against Les Bleus would see La Roja reach their first major tournament final since 2012.
They added France as a major scalp along with Germany, after knocking out the tournament hosts in style in extra time in the quarter-final (2-1) down to 10-men. This came following a convincing win against an underdog Georgia side (4-1) in the last 16 after topping Group B.
Paris Saint-Germain's Fabian Ruiz looks set to feature in Spain's midfield, who have been lauded so far this tournament as one of the most dominant in Europe with Rodri, and potential tournament top scorer Dani Olmo. Harry Kane will also be hoping to tie up the top scorer award if he scores on Sunday…
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