After an incredible month of football, the Euro 2024 tournament comes to an end this Sunday, with Spain and England battling it out for European glory in Berlin. This Spanish team, which is made up of a mix of experience with the likes of Alvaro Morata and Jesus Navas, and youthful exuberance such as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, have lit up the tournament so far, with a host of incredible attacking performances. On the other hand, this England side started very slowly, and looked down and out at many points throughout the tournament. However, they showed incredible resilience and team-spirit to power on through to the final, growing in confidence, belief and style as the tournament has gone on.
This Sunday’s final is set up to be a wonderful game of football, with incredible talent on both sides desperate to bring European glory home. So let’s reflect on how both sides have made it to this stage. We will discuss key, defining moments in the tournament so far, including the impact that one player’s injury has inadvertently had on his team’s successes; the complete turnaround in atmosphere and belief towards one team’s manager and performances; and the incredible way that the young stars in both teams have stepped up and carried their nations hopes on their backs.
Road to the Final
Spain Quickest Out Of The Blocks
Spain started the tournament extremely strongly, progressing from Group B with three wins out of three, and zero goals conceded from their games against Croatia, Italy and Albania. They were the only side to come away from the group stage with 9 points, propelling them to tournament favourites in many people’s minds. Electric pace and skills from young stars Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, coupled up with silky midfield play and strong defensive work from the likes of Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, and Dani Carvajal was proving to be an exciting formula, and Spain were quickly becoming the neutral’s favourite team to watch.
England’s start on the other hand couldn’t have been any more of a polar opposite. Booed off by fans in two of their three group games, it was a frustrating start for Gareth Southgate’s England side with a scrappy win against Serbia followed up with two disappointing draws against Denmark and Slovenia. Despite the lacklustre performances, lack of creativity, and lack of excitement, England stumbled their way to the top of Group C, with their opening game win against Serbia being the only game to be won out of the entire group. Bellingham and Kane got England’s two goals, but it was Marc Guehi who received the majority of the plaudits for England with some tidy defensive displays.
With both Spain and England topping their group, they were handed favourable Round of 16 ties against Georgia and Slovakia respectively.
Wonderkids Carrying Their Nations On Their Backs
An early Robin Le Normand own goal did not knock Spain off their stride, and they comfortably sailed past Georgia, running out 4-1 winners. Young stars Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal yet again stole the show, with a goal and two assists between them, as well as plenty more chances created. This comfortable victory set up a mouth-watering tie with Germany in the quarter finals – a game which would see two of the tournament’s most exciting sides going head to head.
Yet again, while Spain were tearing things up in the tournament, it was a deflated, uninspiring England performance in their Round of 16 tie against Slovakia. With 94 minutes on the clock, and the score 1-0 to Slovakia, England were set to crash out of the tournament in embarrassing fashion, until up stepped 21 year old Jude Bellingham. An incredible bicycle kick with just seconds left on the clock sent England fans into pandemonium, and sent the game into extra time. From there, England kicked on and a Harry Kane header sent England through to a quarter final matchup with Switzerland, but it was Bellingham’s heroics that stole all the headlines and got England fans believing again, just one day after his 21st birthday.
Pressure? What Pressure?
Into the quarter finals now and the highly anticipated Spain vs Germany match did not disappoint. In a tight, feisty game, veteran Toni Kroos made the first real impact on the game. In what would be his last ever game in professional football, he made sure it was Pedri’s last ever game at Euro 2024 with a poor, late challenge that injured the young Spanish midfielder’s left knee ligament. As gutting as this was for Pedri, this incident led to the introduction of Dani Olmo, and for Spain, this would actually turn out to be a defining moment in their tournament. It was Olmo who opened the scoring in the 51st minute, before a last minute equaliser from Florian Wirtz forced the game into extra time. It would have been easy for this young Spanish team to collapse under the pressure of the lifted home crowd, but they refused to give in. Then, with 119 minutes on the clock, it was that man Olmo again who delivered a beauty of a cross into the box, and Mikel Merino rose highest to power a header past Manuel Neuer in the Germany goal. Spain marched on to the semi finals, and for Germany, and Toni Kroos it was the end of the road.
For England, a much improved performance against Switzerland still saw them fall behind on 75 minutes thanks to a Breel Embolo goal. With little time left, England needed a saviour for the second game running, and Bukayo Saka stepped up to fire this game into extra time yet again. Extra time was a cagey affair and before they knew it, England were faced with a penalty shootout. With the memories of 2021 coming flooding back, the pressure was on. Or was it? Up stepped Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, and Trent Alexander-Arnold with 5 perfect penalties. Accompanied by one huge Jordan Pickford save, England were in the semi finals. As simple as that.
Bouncebackability
Spain would face a star-studded, although somewhat underperforming France side in the first semi final. Spearheaded by a maskless Mbappe, it was the French who took an early lead thanks to a Kolo Muani header. That did not last long though. 16 year old sensation Lamine Yamal took matters into his own hands and fired Spain level with a wonderful goal from long range, before that man again, Dani Olmo quickly completed the turnaround and Spain led 2-1. That goal fired Olmo to the top of the golden boot chart, and would eventually fire Spain to the final after a second half of wasted French chances. The Spanish showed great character to come back from behind and they are now just one game away from glory.
Once again in this tournament England fell behind, this time to a Xavi Simons wonder goal early on. Having come from behind in each of their knockout games so far, England knew they had the ability to come back and win, and that’s what they did. A Harry Kane penalty levelled things in the first half, before a dramatic 90th minute winner from Ollie Watkins catapulted England into the European Championship final for the second consecutive tournament.
The Final
So that is where we are up to. Both sides fought back strongly to set up a mouthwatering clash in Berlin this Sunday night. Both sides know they are just 90 minutes away from European glory, so will England bury the demons of three years ago, or will Spain get their hands back on this trophy for the first time since 2012.
Both teams are expected to have a fully fit squad to choose from, with no suspensions on either side either. A freak injury to Alvaro Morata in the celebrations against France threatened to rule him out of the final, but thankfully for de la Fuente, his captain has been given the all clear. In the incident, a photographer slipped on the grass and collided with Morata. This initially looked like a twisted knee, but thankfully for Spain this has turned out to be nothing serious, and he will be fit to lead the line on Sunday.
For England, the biggest debate will yet again be surrounding Luke Shaw. In our Euro 2024 Quarter Final preview we discussed the importance of Luke Shaw in this England team, and the balance he brings to it. However, Southgate’s switch to a back 3 with Saka and Trippier at wingback has worked well for him so far, so it remains to be seen whether he tinkers with the lineup that has successfully got him to another European Championship final. We all know what Luke Shaw can bring to this England side, especially in a Euros final, but Trippier has performed well in that left wingback role, so we will have to wait to see what lineup Southgate goes with.
Each Team’s Tournament Defining Moment
Pedri’s Knee Ligament Injury Opening The Door For Dani
Sometimes in football, the worst moments for one player end up being a blessing in disguise for another. Pedri’s heart breaking knee ligament injury in the quarter final against Germany was a massive blow for him, and for Spain. With a lateral knee sprain recovery time usually around 4 weeks, it was clear that Pedri’s tournament was over. All of us here at PhysioRoom wish him a full, speedy recovery.
Heartbreak for him, and leaving a gaping hole in the middle of Spain’s midfield, things were not looking great for Spain. Needing a solution, and fast, de la Fuente turned to Dani Olmo, and it’s fair to say he hasn’t looked back since. With 3 goals and 2 assists, including goals against Germany and France, he is the tournaments current top goalscorer, and has been Spain’s main man in their run to the final.
The introduction of Olmo into the starting XI has been very successful for Spain in this tournament, and has been a defining moment in their journey to the final. However, the way it came about is incredibly unfortunate. So while it is important to highlight and celebrate the successes of Olmo, it is equally as important to think of Pedri, and send our best wishes to him. We hope his recovery goes well, and he is able to return to playing football very soon. At PhysioRoom, our biggest priority is helping people through the recovery period following an injury, so if you, or anyone you know, is also suffering from knee ligament damage, or any other injury, be safe in the knowledge that we are here to help and support you.
Southgate’s Substitutes Stepping Up
Throughout this tournament, England fans have bemoaned Gareth Southgate for the time it has taken him to make changes when his side are not playing well. As the tournament has progressed however, it is these substitutes, and Southgate’s utilisation of the full 26-Man squad that has propelled his side into their second consecutive European Championship final. Hugely decisive goals and assists from the likes of Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer, and Ivan Toney have propelled England into the final, while squad members such as Aaron Ramsdale have played their part in the dressing room and on the sidelines, always being the first to celebrate goals, or lift the spirits when the team has needed it most.
This team spirit has been so important for England in this tournament. Not once have any of the substitutes moaned about lack of game time, and instead, when given the opportunity to shine they have taken it. While it is unlikely that the starting XI will change too much for the final, the story for England in this tournament so far has been fighting to the end, and heroes rising up when their country has needed them most. If England go on to claim European glory on Sunday, each player in the squad will know that they have played a defining role in creating history for their country, whether that has been on the pitch or not.
Final Thoughts
So here we are. 24 teams arrived in Germany one month ago full of confidence and belief that this would be their year, but now only 2 remain. Just one more game separates either England or Spain from European glory. Will it be Harry Kane or Alvaro Morata lifting the trophy on Sunday?
Whatever happens, both sides can be incredibly proud of what they have achieved in this tournament. The mix of experience and youth in these squads has been a major success, and both sides will be hoping that one of their stars has one last bit of magic in them to bring that trophy home.
Check Us Out
It has been a joy covering this European Championships, providing the latest sports injury news and updates. If you haven’t had a chance to read any of our previous blogs, you can check them out here, for example: Injury Heartbreak: Which Players Will Miss EURO 2024
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Our final comments are that we hope England can do the business and bring the trophy home on Sunday, however, our main concern is that all players compete and perform to their full ability, and complete the game safely with no injuries. Remember for all the latest sports injury news and updates, and injury support and advice choose PhysioRoom.