DStv UEFA Euro 2024: Final scheduled for July 14
It all comes down to this: 50 matches have been played at UEFA Euro 2024 and all that remains is the final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, where Spain will take on England on the evening of Sunday 14 July.
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Match background
Spain secured their place in the final with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over pre-tournament favourites France in Munich on Tuesday night. La Furia Roja found themselves behind early on when Les Bleus’ Randal Kolo Muani headed home Kylian Mbappe’s cross, but teenage sensation Lamine Yamal soon scored an incredible equaliser. And Spain kept the momentum running with a strike from Dani Olmo just a few minutes later, which ultimately secured their chance to win the Euros for a record fourth time (adding to 1964, 2008 and 2012).
England also came from behind to win their semifinal 2-1 against the Netherlands. The Three Lions found themselves down a Xavi Simons strike just seven minutes in but equalised via a Harry Kane penalty in the 18th minute. The rest of regulation time saw the teams cancel each other out, with an extra half hour looking necessary, but substitute striker Ollie Watkins scored a superb low drive in the first minute of injury time to settle the match. England will play in a second successive European Championship final and aim to win the continental prize for the first time.
What the teams are saying
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente on his team’s achievements:
“I must keep my faith in this group of players. They always work for the common good. They're very generous with their work rate. It's just another sign that this is an insatiable team. I'm proud to be able to direct these players. “I know [my players] can give much more and be even better, and I'm pretty sure we will. Our idea of football is based on our self-assurance. We want to play to our strengths.”
England coach Gareth Southgate on the chance to make history: “That's what we came for. It's an incredibly tough game; we're playing the best team in the tournament so far. But we're here still – we're fighting, on the back of a really good performance. I'm just so pleased for everybody back home.” He added, “[The players have] moulded brilliantly over the last five to six weeks. None of them have dropped their heads, they've all been ready for their moment when it's come.”
Players to watch
• Lamine Yamal – The teenager, who will turn 17 the day before the final, became the youngest ever goal scorer in European Championship history when he netted a sublime strike against France in the semis. Yamal’s skill, directness and unpredictability mark him out as a major threat in the final.
• Phil Foden – The Manchester City star had a quiet tournament up until the semifinal against the Netherlands, but he showed far more penetration and attacking intent, with the Three Lions more coherent and dangerous as a result. Foden will hope to again produce that kind of performance, as England chase a first Euro title.
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Head-to-head
In head-to-head stats, Spain and England have met in 27 matches dating back as far as 1929. The Three Lions have 14 wins compared to 10 for La Furia Roja, while three games have been drawn.
The teams last met in October 2018 in Seville for a group stage match in the UEFA Nations League, with England winning 3-2 thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling (two) and Marcus Rashford. Spain scored via Paco Alcacer and Sergio Ramos.
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