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BERLIN — After a long month of continental competition stretching from one end of Germany to the other, Euro 2024 is set to conclude today in Berlin, where Spain will take on England at the Olympiastadion.
The paths these two teams have taken to the German capital are starkly different.
Spain have been the darlings of the tournament, the only heavyweights to consistently turn in eye-catching performances that convey a coherence and clearly defined identity.
England, meanwhile, have largely looked like less than the sum of their parts, but their collection of stars have managed to dig deep and grind out the results required to reach a second consecutive European Championship final.
Why could England win?
England produced their best performance of the tournament by some distance in the semi finals. There is a sense of momentum behind them right now and a surging belief that comes from pulling out results late on.
Jude Bellingham’s 95th-minute equaliser against Slovakia, the penalty shootout win over Switzerland and Ollie Watkins’ 90th-minute winner against Netherlands have created a feeling England could somehow be destined to lift their first major trophy in 58 years.
There were signs against the Dutch that England’s individual attacking talents were starting to develop an understanding and some of the combinations involving Kobbie Mainoo, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in particular were exciting.
Jordan Pickford is having another tournament in which he takes his game to another level, while Marc Guéhi has been a major find at centre-back.
Luke Shaw’s likely return in time for his first start of the tournament will give better balance to the team given he is a natural left-footer, as opposed to Kieran Trippier, who has been filling in at left-back or left wing-back.
Why could Spain win?
No one is arguing that Spain have been the best team at Euro 2024. They have won all six matches and have already beaten hosts Germany and pre-tournament favourites France in the knockout rounds.
They have done so, scoring the most goals (13), creating the most chances (96) and by playing front-foot, attacking football.
A lot of the focus has been on the verticality added to a previously possession-heavy side by wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
Thanks to them, they can now go direct and cause problems in transition, although they also still manage the ball very well.
They press diligently, have a nice balance to the side, a clear idea of how they want to play and in Rodri, they might have the Player of the Tournament and if he is on song, Spain will win.
What weaknesses could each team exploit in their opponent?
Spain might be the first side England play that are willing to allow them space on the break. If England can play through the press when they win the ball, they could create chances, although they will need to be more willing to run in behind than they have been so far — Spain play with the highest defensive line at the tournament.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón has also had a couple of shaky moments. His mistake led to a Croatia penalty in the opener — which was missed — and he almost gifted Germany a goal last week, although Kai Havertz could only loft the ball onto the roof of the net.
Spain will focus on their strengths more than England’s weaknesses. They will look to Rodri and Fabián Ruiz to run the game and rely on Williams and Yamal to win their battles against the England full-backs.
England’s inability to keep possession has been a habitual tournament failing. Although Spain are more direct under De la Fuente, they remain excellent in that regard, with Rodri the absolute master of dictating play, and so the midfield battle will be vital.
If England can get a foothold in the game, their rich array of attacking talent could exploit a vulnerable-looking Spain defence, particularly at centre-back.
Spain player to watch
Dani Olmo: Obviously Rodri, Yamal and, to a lesser extent, Williams, are the key men for Spain, but England will also need to be on top of Olmo.
The RB Leipzig forward started the tournament on the bench, but Pedri’s injury handed him his chance against Germany, when he scored one and assisted on the winner.
He then came into the side against France, scoring the winner himself. Prior to that, he was already having an impact as a substitute.
He has tournament-high five goal contributions — three goals and two assists — and is given freedom to roam between the lines in front of Rodri and Ruiz.
England player to watch
Bukayo Saka: The Arsenal winger’s consistency and application is so unswerving that it is easy to take him for granted. Saka was a menace against Switzerland — scoring a brilliant equaliser in that quarter-final — and particularly in the first half against the Netherlands.
But his tactical intelligence is also particularly important to England when they adopt a hybrid system. — ESPN
Online Reporter