Football

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.

After a decade of disappointment, Spain has triumphantly returned to the pinnacle of football by reaching the Euro 2024 final in Berlin. Having won two European Championships in 2008 and 2012, and the 2010 World Cup, La Roja seemed destined for continued dominance. However, their fall from grace was swift and unexpected.The players expected to replace the golden generation failed to live up to expectations. Spain's 2014 World Cup defense ended in humiliation, with a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the group stage. They were eliminated by Italy in the Euro 2016 last-16, and by Russia on penalties in the 2018 World Cup.Despite a better showing at Euro 2020, where they reached the semi-finals, Spain's 2022 World Cup exit to Morocco was another painful blow. However, the Spanish football federation believed the team was close to their potential. They replaced coach Luis Enrique with Luis de la Fuente, who had a successful track record with national youth sides.Despite initial setbacks, including a 2-0 defeat to Scotland, Spain stuck with their relatively unknown coach. De la Fuente's first silverware came in the form of the Nations League last summer, and he has continued to impress with La Roja's performances at Euro 2024.Spain has dominated the tournament, topping a tough group featuring Italy, Germany, and France. Their success is remarkable considering their lack of recognizable stars beyond Manchester City midfielder Rodri. Young talents like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have emerged, but the team also features players who have struggled at their clubs, such as Marc Cucurella and Aymeric Laporte.However, their lack of superstars has not hindered them. "I have 26 great players and I'm just lucky that they are Spanish," said De la Fuente. Unlike opponents England, who have struggled to replace aging icons, or France, who have built around a sub-par Kylian Mbappe, Spain has embraced a team-first mentality."The big difference to all the (other) countries is that we are a team and there is no one leader above the rest," explained Barcelona's Pedri before the tournament. De la Fuente has also shown a willingness to try different approaches, balancing possession with attacking flair.While Luis Enrique's Spain relied heavily on possession, De la Fuente's team has shown more flexibility. They have released Yamal and Williams to exploit their pace, and have taken risks to beat their markers.De la Fuente's knowledge of his players has also been a key factor. He has coached the majority of the starting lineup over the past few years, winning the U19 Euros in 2013, the U21 Euros in 2019, and silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021."I know the players very well, what we had available to us and we needed time to do what we are seeing now," said the coach. "I am not surprised by it. Cooking this up... is a long process but we knew the decisions and the path we had to take."That continuity has proven vital in the international game, where coaches typically have limited time with their players. It has taken Spain to the verge of glory once more, and they will be confident of lifting the trophy on Sunday.

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.

Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old Barcelona prodigy, has taken the European Championships by storm, becoming one of Spain's most influential players. His exceptional performances have drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi, his predecessor at La Masia.Yamal's rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric. He made his Euros debut against Croatia, becoming the youngest player to register an assist in the tournament. In the round of 16 against Georgia, he became the youngest player to feature in the knockout phase and provided another assist.His impressive run continued in the quarter-final against Germany, where he tied a Spanish record for three assists in a single Euros edition. In the semi-final against France, Yamal etched his name in history by scoring Spain's first goal, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the tournament's history.Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, has added a touch of intrigue to his son's success. He claims that a viral image from 2007, showing a baby Yamal meeting Messi, may have been a blessing from the Argentine legend. However, Nasraoui jokingly suggests that it could have been the other way around.Yamal's exceptional talent has been nurtured at La Masia, Barcelona's renowned youth academy. His maturity and composure on the field have impressed coaches and pundits alike. He has become a key component of Spain's attack, providing creativity, pace, and a clinical finishing touch.As Spain prepares for the Euro 2024 final against England, all eyes will be on Yamal. His ability to create and score goals has made him a vital cog in the Spanish machine. If he continues to perform at this level, he could lead Spain to their first Euros title since 2012.

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.

The Durand Cup 2024, Asia's oldest football tournament, is set to kick off on July 27th, with defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and archrivals East Bengal FC drawn together in the same group. The tournament will feature 24 teams from the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, international teams, and the Armed Forces.This year, Jamshedpur and Shillong join Kokrajhar and Kolkata as host cities, with each hosting group stage fixtures. Kolkata, the main venue, will host three groups, while Jamshedpur, Shillong, and Kokrajhar will each host one group.The tournament will follow a round-robin league format with knockout stages, culminating in the final at Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. In total, 43 matches will be played, and the top teams from each group, along with the two best second-placed teams, will advance to the knockout phase.Group A, hosted in Kolkata, features Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal FC, Indian Air Force FT, and Downtown Heroes FC. Group B, also in Kolkata, includes Bengaluru FC, Inter Kashi FC, Indian Navy FT, and Mohammedan SC. Group C, the third Kolkata-based group, consists of Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC, Punjab FC, and CISF Protectors FT.Group D, hosted in Jamshedpur, features Jamshedpur FC, Chennaiyin FC, Indian Army FT, and Bangladesh Army FT. Group E, in Kokrajhar, includes Odisha FC, NorthEast United FC, Bodoland FC, and BSF FT. Group F, hosted in Shillong, consists of FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Shillong Lajong FC, and Tribhuvan Army FC.International teams Tribhuvan Army FC from Nepal and Bangladesh Army Football Team will return to the tournament after participating in the previous edition. The tournament promises exciting matches and intense rivalries, with the top teams in India vying for the coveted Durand Cup trophy.

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.

England's dramatic victory over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final was a testament to the team's resilience and the emergence of young stars. Ollie Watkins' last-minute goal sent the Dutch packing and kept England's dream of winning the tournament alive.However, amidst the celebrations, it was the performance of 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo that stole the headlines. The Manchester United midfielder has been a revelation at the base of England's midfield, continuing his impressive form from the club season.Mainoo's impact on the team cannot be overstated. He has completed over 95% of his passes with an astonishing dribble percentage of 98%. His composure on the ball, ability to play line-breaking passes, and dribble out of trouble have added a new dimension to England's midfield.In the semi-final, Mainoo played a more reserved role, winning 100% of his duels and tackles. This allowed Declan Rice to be more expansive with his game, bombing forward at every opportunity.England will face Spain in the final on Sunday. Both teams boast a wealth of experience and quality, but the biggest talking points have been their teenage superstars.Spain's Lamine Yamal, who will turn 17 during the tournament, has been a revelation. The Barcelona winger has scored four goals and provided two assists, making a strong case for being named Player of the Tournament if Spain wins.The battle between Mainoo and Yamal in the final will be one to watch. Both players have shown exceptional talent and maturity beyond their years. They will be vying to win their respective nations the big prize and cement their status as the next generation of footballing stars.