CAUGHT BY ARABNEWS.COM

BERLIN: Spain and England will clash in the European Championship final on Sunday. Spain is aiming for a record fourth Euros title, breaking a tie with Germany/West Germany, while England is looking for its first major prize in men’s soccer since the 1966 World Cup. The game begins at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) in Berlin.

Important facts about the Match Spain

Winning the title would add to the Spanish national teams’ recent success, with the men winning the UEFA Nations League in June last year and the women winning the World Cup two months later. Lamine Yamal is Spain’s new star, having set up three goals before the semifinals, including a magnificent long-range effort in the triumph over France, all at the age of sixteen. Spain last reached a major tournament final in 2012, when it defeated Italy 4-0 to win its third European Championship championship. England lost a penalty shootout in the final of Euro 2020, which was contested in 2021 due to the coronavirus epidemic 

Jude Bellingham equalized with an overhead kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the extra-time win over Slovakia in the last 16, Bukayo Saka equalized in the 80th minute against Switzerland in the quarterfinals before England won a penalty shootout, and substitute Ollie Watkins scored the winner almost exactly 90 minutes later against the Netherlands in the semifinals. Southgate’s tenure, which began in 2016, has seen England reach the World Cup quarterfinals in 2018 and now back-to-back European Championship finals.

Team news

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente announced on Saturday that the injured Pedri and Ayoze Pérez are the only players out, which means captain Alvaro Morata can play. Morata was hobbling following the semifinal victory over France when he was knocked to the ground during the post-match celebrations by a steward attempting to stop a pitch invasion. Dani Carvajal returns from suspension, leaving de la Fuente with only one selection dilemma at center back, with Nacho or Robin Le Normand vying for the spot alongside Aymeric Laporte. Dani Olmo will likely replace Pedri as Spain’s attacking central midfielder. Spain has won the European Championship three times before: in 1964, 2008, and 2012. There are 6 players with a tournament-high three goals at Euro 2024, and two are playing in the final: England captain Harry Kane and Spain playmaker Dani Olmo. The others are Georges Mikautadze of Georgia, Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands, Ivan Schranz of Slovakia, and Jamal Musiala of Germany.

What they’re saying

“I wouldn’t say it’s become routine, but it is a little more typical for us. Given our past, the remark is most likely ludicrous. ― Gareth Southgate, England’s coach, on his team’s second consecutive Euro final appearance.

“I’d like him to work with the same humility, keep his feet on the ground to keep progressing, and learn with the same attitude, professionalism, and maturity that he demonstrates on the field. “He appears to be a much more experienced player, to be honest.” – Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente on Lamine Yamal.