Euro 2024 will conclude with Spain facing off against England in Berlin in the most anticipated football match of the year. Spain is aiming to secure a record fourth European title, while England is hoping to end a 58-year-long title drought. This will mark England’s first away-from-home final, providing them with the opportunity to secure their first Euro trophy. Despite the Three Lions’ previous loss to Italy in the 2021 final, a win over Spain would mean a historic victory for England. On the other hand, Spain has a chance to clinch their fourth title, solidifying their stature as one of the top European football teams.
Spain enters the final as the favourites after an impressive run in the tournament. La Roja won all six of their matches, defeating top-tier opponents like Germany and France with dominant performances. In contrast, England struggled throughout the tournament, conceding first in all knockout rounds. However, they showcased a more aggressive and solid display in the semi-final against the Netherlands. The head-to-head record between Spain and England shows England with five wins, compared to Spain’s four wins in official games. The last encounter was in 2018, resulting in a 2-3 victory for England in the Nations League.
Bookies and algorithms heavily favor Spain to win the final, with a 40% chance in the ninety minutes according to Google. The OptaAnalyst algorithm also predicts a high likelihood of Spain lifting the trophy at 60.38%. Although England has a valuable squad worth €1.52 billion, compared to Spain’s €966 million, Spain remains the top pick for the bookies with an 8/11 chance to win over England’s 13/10. The young Spanish player Lamine Yamal, who recently scored in the semi-final against France, has created a significant impact and will play a crucial role in the final.
England’s star striker Harry Kane, who leads the Golden Boot race, has been instrumental in the team’s journey to the final. Kane, along with other key players like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka, have contributed to England’s firepower in the tournament. Despite entering the final as the underdogs, England’s manager Gareth Southgate remains optimistic about their chances. The match is set to be officiated by Frenchman François Letexier, who will become the youngest-ever referee in a Euro cup final at 35 years old. The UK Prime Minister has hinted at the possibility of granting an extra day off if England emerges victorious in the final.
The venue for the final, Berlin’s Olympiastadion, is an iconic football venue with a capacity of over 74,000 seats. Designed by the March brothers and built by Nazi Germany in 1936 for the Berlin Olympics, the stadium has a rich history in sports. It hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup final and serves as the home ground for German second-division club Hertha Berlin. Both teams are gearing up for an intense showdown in the final, with Spain aiming to maintain their dominance in European football, while England looks to end their long-awaited title drought.
