Spain made history by winning six consecutive games in the Euros, defeating Germany in extra time to secure a spot in the final against England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday, July 14.
Harry Kane’s equaliser helped the Three Lions beat the Netherlands 2-1, with Olie Watkins scoring a superb goal just after coming off the bench, leaving the Dutch team in tears minutes before the final whistle.
Opta currently predicts that Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish team will defeat England in Berlin and gives them a 60.40% chance of winning the Henri Delaunay Trophy.
Lamine Yamal, the youngest player ever to participate in the Euros and a major tournament, has achieved the highest number of assists (3) and continues to break records. His outstanding equalizer against Germany demonstrated that he is a player to watch and a potential future great.
Spain remains undefeated, having won all their matches at Euro 2024 without conceding any in the group stage.
England will be the underdog against Spain with a 39.60% winning chance. Spain are favourites from both a numbers point of view and a style perspective. Despite this, Southgate’s men have, against all odds, emerged resilient and unpredictable.
England and Spain boast talented young footballers who demonstrate exceptional skills and potential, proving that proper nurturing and development leads to a superior next generation.
England’s Kobbie Maino, at only 19 years old, a name only known within Manchester United circles last year, has dominated the midfield alongside Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka et al., providing England with that extra edge that has made them unpredictably good and a dominant force to reckon with.
Gareth Southgate has proven to many why international football differs greatly from domestic football. After former Gor Mahia coach John Mckinstry, fresh from winning the 23/24 Kenyan Premier League title, left to coach the Gambia national men’s team, he explained that when it came to internationals, coaches had more time to understand their team and study their opponents during league seasons, so the tactics and data were more in-depth and impactful.
Southgate and the England technical team have been crucial to the team’s success in the tournament, proving their worth despite facing criticism for concerning his squad selection. England’s main challenge was choosing from an abundance of emerging talent, with Southgate justifying his decisions effectively.
The English steward’s strategic prowess was evident in his decision to substitute Kane with Olie Watkins instead of Ivan Toney, ultimately securing a last-minute victory over the Flying Dutchmen.
