Euro 2024 final preview: Spain v England
Two Manchester United players have the opportunity to help end the England men's team's 58-year wait for a major trophy on Sunday evening, when the Three Lions meet Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw both played integral roles as Gareth Southgate's team beat the Netherlands 2-1 in Wednesday's semi-final, thanks to a dramatic late strike from Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins.
Mainoo, Shaw and the rest of the England squad will now travel to Berlin, where the Olympiastadion will host this weekend's final at 20:00 BST.
Five hours later, Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho could play in the Copa America final in Miami Gardens, Florida, where Argentina will battle to overcome Colombia.
Mainoo, Shaw and the rest of the England squad will now travel to Berlin, where the Olympiastadion will host this weekend's final at 20:00 BST.
Five hours later, Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho could play in the Copa America final in Miami Gardens, Florida, where Argentina will battle to overcome Colombia.
But first, all eyes will focus on the German capital, as England chase their first-ever European Championship title.
Southgate's side were finalists in the last edition of the competition, but were beaten on penalties by Italy at Wembley, despite Shaw's memorable second-minute goal.
Sunday's game will be just England's third major final, following that aforementioned Euro 2020 final against Italy and the famous 1966 World Cup final triumph against West Germany.
Sunday's game will be just England's third major final, following that aforementioned Euro 2020 final against Italy and the famous 1966 World Cup final triumph against West Germany.
WILL KOBBIE AND LUKE START?
Kobbie has started each of England's knockout matches at Euro 2024 so far, and delivered arguably his best performance of the tournament against the Netherlands on Wednesday. There was also a historic footnote, as the Academy graduate became the youngest-ever player to represent England in the semi-final of a European Championship or World Cup.
At half-time, BBC pundit and United legend Rio Ferdinand eulogised about the 19-year-old's poise, maturity and personality on the ball.
Kobbie has started each of England's knockout matches at Euro 2024 so far, and delivered arguably his best performance of the tournament against the Netherlands on Wednesday. There was also a historic footnote, as the Academy graduate became the youngest-ever player to represent England in the semi-final of a European Championship or World Cup.
At half-time, BBC pundit and United legend Rio Ferdinand eulogised about the 19-year-old's poise, maturity and personality on the ball.
"He just doesn't look like a teenager," noted our former centre-back. "He almost looks like a prefect with the young kids in a school, and he's just saying: 'This is what you do, this is how you do it. Just give the ball to me.'"
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Kobbie was on the pitch for 90 minutes, before being substituted in injury time, after Watkins' thrilling winner, while Luke Shaw also played his fullest role yet at the tournament.
The United left-back missed the final few months of the season at club level, and the group stages of the Euros, but has played a part in his country's last two fixtures.
After completing 42 minutes against Switzerland in the previous round, he was introduced at half-time in the semi-final, replacing Kieran Trippier and completing the rest of the match.
In a press conference after the final whistle, Southgate confirmed Trippier has been managing a groin injury, which could increase Shaw's chances of earning a role in the starting XI this weekend.
The United left-back missed the final few months of the season at club level, and the group stages of the Euros, but has played a part in his country's last two fixtures.
After completing 42 minutes against Switzerland in the previous round, he was introduced at half-time in the semi-final, replacing Kieran Trippier and completing the rest of the match.
In a press conference after the final whistle, Southgate confirmed Trippier has been managing a groin injury, which could increase Shaw's chances of earning a role in the starting XI this weekend.
HOW ARE SPAIN SHAPING UP?
The three-time winners qualified for Sunday's Berlin final thanks to a 2-1 win over France on Tuesday, in which 16-year-old Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score at a European Championship.
La Roja are widely regarded as the outstanding team of the tournament thus far, and have won all six of their matches up to this point.
Defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand were suspended for the game against the French earlier this week, but will be available to face England. Captain Alvaro Morata, meanwhile, is a slight doubt after a bizarre collision with a security guard during Tuesday's post-match celebrations. Pedri is out with a knee problem.
The three-time winners qualified for Sunday's Berlin final thanks to a 2-1 win over France on Tuesday, in which 16-year-old Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score at a European Championship.
La Roja are widely regarded as the outstanding team of the tournament thus far, and have won all six of their matches up to this point.
Defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand were suspended for the game against the French earlier this week, but will be available to face England. Captain Alvaro Morata, meanwhile, is a slight doubt after a bizarre collision with a security guard during Tuesday's post-match celebrations. Pedri is out with a knee problem.