Spain vs England: numbers and curiosities from the Euro 2024 grand final

Two teams with the same objective, but with very different trajectories will be on the field in the final of Euro 2024this Sunday, 14th, in Berlin, in Germany. A England is looking for its first continental trophy. In the only final played in these 64 years of Euro, in the last edition, in 2020, the English saw the trophy slip away at home, on penalties, against Italy. A Spain seeks to isolate itself as the greatest champion of the Euro, with 4 conquests, after the titles in 1964 and the double in 2008 and 2012. The only runner-up of Fury It was in 1984, losing from France in the decision.

This will be the third game between Spain and England in Euros. In the previous two, England prevailed. In Euro 1980, they won 2-1 in the Group Stage. 16 years later, English Team eliminated Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals, after a goalless draw in normal time. Taking into account all the matches, the advantage remains English. There were 27 games, 10 Spanish victories, 4 draws and 13 British triumphs. The last duel was five years ago, in Nations LeagueEngland’s victory by 3 to 2.

Comparing the campaigns of the two finalists of this edition is like comparing the rich Iberian cuisine with fish and chips. Spain has a 100% success rate. It has won all six games, scoring 13 goals and conceding only 3. It is the first team to win six games in a single edition of the European Championship. It went through the first phase of Croatiathird place in the last World Cup, by Italy, current Euro champion and by Germany and France, who have won five continental cups and six world cups together.

England had to overcome the competition to reach the final. They had 3 draws and 3 wins. They scored 7 goals and conceded 3. They were the first team in history to reach the final after losing in the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals. They were seconds away from elimination in the quarter-finals against Slovakiauntil the saving goal of Bellingham take the match to extra time, where they won thanks to a penalty from Harry Kane. He lost out on Switzerlandwhen they managed to tie and advance on penalties, and also had to turn the game around against Netherlands. The Three Lions have already achieved one feat: it will be England’s first final outside their own country.

The commanders

The two finalist coaches know their players well. Louis of the Fountain won the U-19 and U-21 Euros and with the main Spanish team he was champion of the Nations League. In the conquest with the U-21 team of The Redhe commanded the then boys Unai Simon, Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo, Mikel Merino It is Mike Oyarzabalwho are now trying to win the main title. Fuente’s Spain brings elements of the Spanish school, such as intense passing, combined with a more fluid style of play, especially when it comes to creating speed with the wingers. The team oscillates between a 4-2-3-1 and a classic 4-3-3.

Gareth Southgate has been in charge of England for eight years. He has played two world Cups by the inventors of football (4th place in 2018 and 6th in Qatar). They kept the base of the 2020 team, added a good dose of youth and reached the second consecutive Euro final. Since the quarterfinals, against Switzerland, the team changed the scheme, starting to play with three defenders, which also ends up demanding more from the wingers in marking on the sides of the field.

Obsessed with breaking records

The renewal in Spain was more profound. With the passing of the baton from Luis Enrique According to De La Fuente, only 10 players who played in the last Euro are in the current squad. The Catalan coach likes to rotate his squad. He used 25 of the 26 players he took to the competition, including two wingers. In the semi-final against France, the veteran full-back Jesus Navas made history for the Spanish national team by becoming the oldest starting player to take part in a Euro or World Cup semi-final, at the age of 38. The captain of the Seville surpassed the record of Fritz Walterfrom Germany, and from Gunnar Grenfrom Sweden, who were semi-finalists in the 1958 World Cup at the age of 37. Navas had the mission of scoring Kylian Mbappeand despite having some difficulties at the beginning of the game, he gradually gained confidence, contributing in attack and providing the assist for the winning goal, scored by Dani Olmo. On Sunday, he will have the chance to break another historic record, becoming the first player in history to win two Euros, a World Cup and a Nations League. What’s more, he is already the only player in the world to have won all these titles at least once.

If they have one of the “crowns” of the Euro, Spain also has the youngest player in the history of the tournament. A teenager who has already taken on a leading role in the team’s attack. A standout for the Furia, Yamal Laminate turns 17 on Saturday the 13th, one day before the final. The youngster is an example of the technical quality and vision cultivated in youth academies throughout Spain, especially in The Farm of Barcelona. The right winger’s stunning goal against France, aged 16 years and 362 days, made Yamal the youngest player to score in a Euro and also in a major international tournament. He surpassed the record of Skinwhich lasted 66 years. In the 1958 World Cup the King of football scored the winning goal against Wales at the age of 17. Pelé’s official Instagram profile congratulated Lamine Yamal on her achievements.

On the other side of the final is also a youngster who can crown a perfect season. Spanish Champion and Champions League With Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham is trying to win the Euros, and if he succeeds he will also be the main contender for the Ballon d’Or. He has scored two goals in this year’s tournament. Two crucial goals. He scored England’s only goal in the opening match against Serbia with a header, and scored a stunning overhead kick in the round of 16 against Slovakia. A good omen for Jude is that his first goal for Real was against Unai Simon, the goalkeeper for Spain and Athletic Bilbao.