Football

England's quest for their first major international trophy in 58 years reaches its climax on Sunday as they face Spain in the UEFA European Championship final. The Three Lions have endured a long and frustrating wait since their solitary World Cup triumph in 1966, and the Euros have proven to be an elusive prize.Despite boasting a wealth of talent and one of the most competitive domestic leagues in the world, England have consistently fallen short on the international stage. Their last-minute victory over the Netherlands in the semifinals has reignited hopes of ending their trophy drought, but they face a formidable opponent in Spain.Spain have been the standout team of the tournament, winning all six of their matches with an air of dominance. Their ability to control possession, create chances, and respond to different scenarios has made them the favorites to lift the trophy.England's path to the final has been less convincing. They drew twice in the group stage and needed penalties to overcome Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Last-minute goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane rescued them against Slovakia, while Bukayo Saka's late strike against Switzerland and Ollie Watkins' 90th-minute winner against the Netherlands kept their hopes alive.Despite their struggles, England have shown resilience and a knack for finding a way to win. They will need to summon all their determination and skill to overcome Spain's formidable challenge.The match will be a clash of styles, with England's direct approach and reliance on set pieces contrasting with Spain's possession-based, intricate play. The outcome is far from certain, but England fans will be desperate for their team to end their long wait for glory.

Spain's dazzling run to the Euro 2024 final has been marked by the prolificacy of their wingers, but the absence of goals from captain Alvaro Morata has raised concerns. Despite his team's impressive performance, Morata has only managed one goal in 13 matches, becoming a lightning rod for criticism.In contrast, England, despite facing weaker opposition, believe they can upset Spain on Sunday if Morata's drought continues. The Atletico Madrid forward's poor finishing has been scrutinized in Spain, where he has scored just four times in 30 games for club and country. His attitude has also been questioned.While wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have excelled in Germany, Morata has underperformed despite a strong start against Croatia. His high work-rate and movement have been praised, but his lack of goals remains a concern.If Spain triumph in Berlin, Morata can claim a role in their success, but his goal drought will be a major talking point if England prevail. Morata has expressed frustration with the criticism he has faced, claiming that there is "no respect" in Spain.Some media outlets have criticized Morata's comments, while others have defended him. Coach Luis de la Fuente has backed his captain, calling him an "atypical leader" who is unfairly criticized.Morata has played for several top clubs, including Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Juventus, but has never found a permanent home. He may leave Atletico this summer, having previously struggled in the Premier League.Despite the criticism, Morata's teammates remain supportive. Dani Olmo believes he could still finish as the tournament's top scorer. Morata himself is determined to silence his critics and win his first major international trophy.

Spain's dominance throughout Euro 2024 has solidified their position as the clear favorites for Sunday's final against England. Despite England's dramatic victory over the Netherlands in the semi-finals, bookmakers remain confident in Spain's ability to secure a record fourth European crown.David Stevens, head of public relations at Coral, expressed his belief that Spain's exceptional performance throughout the tournament justifies their favoritism. However, he acknowledged the patriotic fervor among English punters, stating that even if England were to pull off an upset, the financial loss would be insignificant compared to the joy of a victory.William Woodhams, CEO of Fitzdares, echoed Stevens' sentiments, emphasizing that the emotional connection to England's success outweighs any potential financial setbacks. Woodhams also revealed a personal stake in England's triumph, as his son's nursery school sweepstake has him rooting for the Three Lions.Despite the tournament's impact on other betting markets, both Stevens and Woodhams acknowledged the growth in football betting. Stevens attributed this to the favorable timing of the matches for UK audiences, while Woodhams noted the tournament's overall slow pace and high number of draws, which have left many punters with depleted funds.Stevens expressed optimism that England's lackluster performances would be forgotten in the event of a victory. However, many punters remain skeptical, as evidenced by the shortening odds on England winning on penalties. Woodhams shared an anecdote about a client who had placed a substantial bet on England not to win, suggesting that some fans are bracing themselves for another nail-biting finish.Despite the potential for disappointment, both Stevens and Woodhams expressed their patriotic support for England. Stevens acknowledged that England's World Cup drought has spanned his entire lifetime, making a two-year wait for another title seem like a reasonable compromise.

Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has predicted a Spanish victory in the Euro Cup final against England on Sunday. Bhutia believes that Spain's balanced team and the brilliance of young stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will prove too much for England."Spain definitely has the upper hand in the final," Bhutia said. "They've been playing exceptionally well, with six wins out of six. They're technically sound and in great form."Bhutia singled out Yamal, a 17-year-old winger, as a player to watch. "He's a superstar in the making," Bhutia said. "He's got assists, he's got goals, and he knows when to release the ball and when to dribble past defenders. He's a player who makes the right decisions, and that's a rare quality for someone so young."Bhutia also praised Williams, another young Spanish winger. "He's got pace and can be a major factor in game-changing moments," Bhutia said. "If he can get his judgment right, he's going to be a huge problem for England."While Bhutia acknowledges England's quality, he believes their defensive formation under manager Gareth Southgate will hinder their chances. "I've never been a fan of Southgate's defensive approach," Bhutia said. "They have quality players who should be playing free-flowing, attacking football like Spain."However, Bhutia still believes England captain Harry Kane is a threat. "He's a natural goal scorer," Bhutia said. "He's scored goals in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and for Bayern Munich. He's one of the best goal scorers in this generation. If you have to bet on anyone to score goals, it's Harry Kane."

England's remarkable journey to the Euro 2024 final is a testament to a decade-long player development program that has transformed the team from perennial underachievers to serial contenders. The Three Lions are now on the cusp of ending a 58-year wait for a major trophy at the senior men's international level.The foundation for England's success was laid in 2014, when Gareth Southgate and Dan Ashworth unveiled the "England DNA" plan. This blueprint aimed to blend the passion and fighting spirit of English football with improved technique and a stronger mentality.The results have been evident at every level. Many of Southgate's current squad have experienced tournament success at youth level. Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Ezri Konsa, Phil Foden, Marc Guehi, and Conor Gallagher have all won major trophies with England's youth teams.The women's team has also enjoyed unprecedented success, winning the Euros in 2022 and reaching the World Cup final in 2023."We have long been characterized by our passion, fighting spirit, and effort," said Ashworth. "But we do not wish to be solely defined by them."England's blend of traditional grit and modern technical ability has carried them to the Euro 2024 final. Despite a shaky start to the tournament, they have shown resilience and individual brilliance to overcome Slovakia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands."It shows the more modern England way," said Southgate after the semi-final win over the Dutch.The ultimate test awaits against a dominant Spain side. England has suffered near misses under Southgate before, but the experience gained in previous tournaments has them better prepared than ever."We're more calm going into the knockout games," said Southgate. "We've managed a lot of those games now."England's decade-long journey has led them to the brink of history. A victory over Spain would not only end a long trophy drought but also cement their status as one of the world's leading football nations.

England's resilience and clinical finishing have propelled them to the Euro 2024 final, despite not being the most aesthetically pleasing team. In the knockout stages, they have consistently found ways to win, even when trailing.Against the Netherlands in the semi-final, England faced an early setback with Xavi Simons' stunning goal. However, they remained composed and equalized through a controversial penalty converted by Harry Kane. The game remained tense until substitute Ollie Watkins' last-minute strike sealed the victory.England's success is not based on overwhelming opponents but on their ability to defend resolutely and capitalize on their chances. Despite averaging only 9.1 shots per game in the past two Euro tournaments, they have proven that clinical finishing is crucial in knockout scenarios.Watkins' late winner against the Netherlands was the latest winning goal in a European Championship or World Cup semi-final (excluding extra time). It also highlighted England's ability to create space and take advantage of opportunities.Phil Foden's improved performance in the semi-final was also a key factor. His movement and creativity created chances for his teammates.However, the final against Spain will present a different challenge. Spain is a mobile and persistent team that will test England's defense. England may need to adjust their tactics and rely on counterattacks to exploit Spain's attacking tendencies.Regardless of their approach, England has earned the right to dream of their second major tournament victory. Their resilience, clinical finishing, and unwavering determination have carried them to the brink of glory.

The UEFA Euro 2024 final will witness a thrilling clash between Spain and England in Berlin on Monday. This highly anticipated encounter marks the third meeting between the two sides at the Euros, with England holding a 2-1 victory in the 1980 group stage and a penalty shootout win in the 1996 quarter-final.Spain's path to the final included a hard-fought 2-1 victory over France in the semi-finals, while England overcame the Netherlands by the same scoreline. England manager Gareth Southgate expressed his delight after his team's semi-final triumph, stating, "We deserved to win. We were very fluid in our formation, and the players made so many good decisions. This has to be the best [achievement]. It's another landmark, but the way we played, we played so well throughout the game."The final will feature several key battles that could determine the outcome:* Unai Simon vs Harry Kane: Kane, the joint Euro 2024 top-scorer with four goals, will face off against Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon, who has been impressive in Germany.* Lamine Yamal vs Kieran Trippier: Barcelona's 16-year-old sensation Yamal will be tasked with testing England's Kieran Trippier, who has been solid at left-back.* Dani Olmo vs Declan Rice: Olmo, who has also scored four goals, will look to overtake Kane in the Golden Boot race. England's defensive midfielder Declan Rice will have the responsibility of marking Olmo, who will play in midfield in place of the injured Pedri.With both teams boasting talented players and a rich history in the Euros, the final promises to be a captivating spectacle. Spain will aim to avenge their previous defeats to England, while the Three Lions will seek to add another major trophy to their collection.

French referee François Letexier, a rising star in the officiating world, has been entrusted with the prestigious task of handling the highly anticipated European Championship final between Spain and England. At just 35 years of age, Letexier is one of the youngest referees to take charge of a major final.Letexier's appointment is a testament to his impressive track record. In the three Euro 2024 games he has officiated, including Spain's 4-1 victory over Georgia in the round of 16, he has maintained a clean sheet without awarding a penalty or sending off any players. His judicious use of yellow cards, with only 10 issued, demonstrates his ability to control the game without resorting to excessive discipline.Notably, Letexier's games have been free of video review controversies, including the tense 2-2 draw between Albania and Croatia. This suggests his ability to make accurate decisions in real-time, a crucial skill for a referee at the highest level.Assisting Letexier in the final will be fellow Frenchman Jérôme Brisard as the VAR specialist. Letexier's calm and composed demeanor, coupled with his consistent performances, has earned him the respect of players and coaches alike.In the past season, Letexier has officiated high-profile matches in the Champions League and Europa League, including the thrilling 3-3 draw between Real Madrid and Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinals. His ability to handle intense matches with composure and fairness has made him a trusted choice for UEFA.Letexier's appointment as the referee for the Euro 2024 final is a significant milestone in his career. It is a testament to his talent, dedication, and the confidence that UEFA has in his abilities. As the two top teams in Europe clash for the coveted trophy, Letexier will have the opportunity to showcase his skills on the grandest stage.

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has expressed his disappointment over the controversial penalty decision that went against his team in their Euro 2024 semi-final loss to England. The Dutch side fell to a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat after Ollie Watkins scored a late winner, but the match was marred by a contentious penalty call that leveled the game for England.In the 14th minute, Harry Kane and Denzel Dumfries collided inside the Netherlands box. Referee Felix Zwayer initially awarded a goal kick but reversed his decision to a penalty after a VAR review. Van Dijk was adamant that the call was incorrect, stating that "certain moments were obvious that they should have gone our way, but they didn't."The penalty decision sparked outrage among fans and former players, with Gary Neville calling it "a disgraceful decision" and Jamie Carragher stating that it was "never a penalty." Van Dijk echoed these sentiments, expressing his frustration that the referee did not come forward to explain his decision."They keep changing certain things, small changes that could have a big impact," Van Dijk said. "Maybe it's a good thing that they could be held accountable as well. They didn't come here and speak to you and explain themselves like we have to when we do something wrong."Despite the controversial penalty, England ultimately emerged victorious and will now face Spain in the Euro 2024 final. The Netherlands, meanwhile, will be left to rue what could have been, with Van Dijk lamenting the missed opportunities that cost his team a place in the final.