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Spain national football team
European Championship | Final
Jul 14, 2024 at 8pm UK
Olympiastadion Berlin
England national football team

Spain
2 - 1
England

Williams (47'), Oyarzabal (86')
Olmo (31')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Palmer (73')
Kane (25'), Stones (53'), Watkins (90+1')

Spain vs. England: Three key battles that could decide Euro 2024 final

With Euro 2024's grand finale nearing, Sports Mole takes a close look at three key battles that could decide whether England or Spain come out on top.

While reaching the Euro 2024 final has been a collective endeavour for the star-studded squads of both England and Spain, its outcome could come down to who wins their individual battles on Sunday evening.

Precocious teenagers Lamine Yamal and Kobbie Mainoo have impressed this summer, Dani Olmo and Harry Kane have both scored three times, while proven performers Dani Carvajal, John Stones and Rodri are also bound to play a big part in Berlin - but which head-to-heads might ultimately be decisive?

Here, Sports Mole picks three key duels that will be worth watching throughout 90 minutes or beyond at the iconic Olympiastadion.



Nico Williams vs. Kyle Walker

Spain's Nico Williams on June 28, 2024© Reuters

Spain's speedy wingers have brought much-needed dynamism to perhaps Europe's best passing side, and Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have lit up Euro 2024 with a series of thrilling performances so far.

Athletic Club star Williams - aged 21, the senior man in the pair's friendship - flies up and down La Roja's left flank, with his direct dribbling putting opponents on the back foot and forcing defences to drop deep.

Linking up cleverly with overlapping full-back Marc Cucurella has helped Spain dominate that side this summer, so coming up against makeshift wing-back Bukayo Saka could offer an opportunity to open up England's generally steadfast defence.

It is expected that Williams will soon leave Bilbao and join one of Europe's top clubs, and another stellar showing this weekend would see his price tag rise even higher - more importantly, it could also help secure a first Spanish success since 2012.

England's Kyle Walker in action on June 16, 2024© Reuters

Assuming England keep faith in their new three-man back line, it will be a team effort to stop Williams in his tracks, and as Saka is naturally attack-minded, the vastly experienced Kyle Walker will be called upon to double up when required.

Walker has a long track record of shackling pacy forwards for club and country alike, and despite being more than a decade older than Williams his own speed has not diminished with time.

Having pocketed both Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior in the past, it will perhaps take a similar performance to keep Spain's rising star at bay.

The Manchester City stalwart has played every minute of England's Euro 2024 campaign so far - initially at right-back, then on the right of a back three - and will surely be up for the challenge.



Marc Cucurella vs. Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring for England on July 6, 2024© Reuters

While Saka may find himself occupied by the threat of Williams, he will still expect to raid forward when possible and contribute to England's improving attack.

Having missed a crucial penalty in the Three Lions' Euro 2020 final defeat, the 22-year-old has bounced back superbly with Arsenal, and his cathartic goal against Switzerland in this year's quarter-finals - plus a subsequent spot-kick conversion - was well deserved.

Drifting in from the right and unleashing a perfectly-placed shot is Saka's stock-in-trade, so Spain's defence must stay on their toes and be quick to shut him down.

As he loves to arrive in space when opponents are caught upfield, taking any chance to provide crosses or tee up teammates could see Saka play a big part in securing his country's first European Championship trophy.

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella on May 11, 2024© Reuters

Not expected to make the Spain squad, let alone play an integral role in their starting XI, Marc Cucurella has been one of the surprise stars of these Euros.

The Chelsea full-back was berated by his own fans last season, having failed to justify a £63m outlay by the big-spending London club in 2022, but when Luis de la Fuente was left without Jose Gaya due to a pre-tournament injury, he was called up to replace the Valencia defender.

Holding off strong competition from Bayer Leverkusen assist-machine Alex Grimaldo to feature at left-back, the 25-year-old has started five of Spain's six matches thus far, only missing out when all 10 outfield players were rested for their final group game.

Cucurella had just four senior caps to his name before departing for Germany, but his understanding with Williams has turned out to be one of La Roja's best weapons - keeping Saka quiet, though, will prove a particularly tough task.



Rodri vs. Jude Bellingham

Spain's Rodri scores their first goal from the penalty spot on March 26, 2024© Reuters

Bestriding midfield with calm and confidence, Rodri is as much of a key cog in Spain's well-oiled machine as at Manchester City, where he has experienced almost unbroken success since arriving in England.

Now coming up against some familiar faces, he will start Sunday's game having lost just once in his last 79 matches for club or country - and his partnership with the elegant Fabian Ruiz has helped La Roja to within a whisker of glory.

Operating together behind the Spanish front three and either Pedri or, latterly, Dani Olmo, they have dictated tempo and starved opponents of possession.

At his peak aged 28, Rodri has not only created a handful of chances and provided an assist en route to the final, but he also regularly recovers the ball on those rare occasions Spain lose it.

England's Jude Bellingham celebrates on June 30, 2024© Reuters

Winning the midfield battle could push England into submission, so Gareth Southgate's side will surely be planning to restrict Rodri's movement and keep him pinned back inside his own half.

Their stumbled-upon 3-4-2-1 formation should see Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham come face to face with Spain's engine room duo, which promises an absorbing scrap for supremacy in the central third.

Bellingham beat Rodri's Manchester City in last season's Champions League, going on to win Europe's top club prize after finishing first in La Liga, and he now has designs on capping a golden year with victory at Euro 2024.

His stunning stoppage-time equaliser against Slovakia may have kept England in contention, but having talked of tiredness and often been below his imperious best, the Stourbridge-born star must wring out every remaining drop of energy in order to get the better of Rodri again.


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Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring for England on July 6, 2024
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Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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