Both teams have found the net in all six knockout matches featuring either side. Spain has been more prolific, scoring 12 goals in their six Euro 2024 matches, while England has netted six. La Roja have been in formidable form, winning seven of their last eight games, drawing the other.
Euro 2024 Final Showdown: Spain vs England
After a month of thrilling action, Euro 2024 has come down to a final clash between Spain and England in Berlin on Sunday. The Three Lions are seeking redemption after their defeat to Italy in the 2020 final at Wembley. Spain, on the other hand, are eyeing a record fourth European Championship title.
England made history by reaching back-to-back finals for the first time and securing their first major final on foreign soil with a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands. Spain’s journey to the final has been more arduous. They edged out host nation Germany with a dramatic extra-time winner in the quarter-finals and then dispatched France in the semi-finals, thanks in part to a brilliant performance by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. As a result, Spain enters the final as the deserved favourites.
While a Spanish victory seems the more likely outcome, a compelling bet is on both teams to score, given the attacking prowess of both sides, with odds of 21/20.
Both Teams Capable of Scoring
Spain cruised through the group stages with three clean sheet victories but conceded exactly one goal in all of their knockout matches against Georgia, Germany, and France. England’s path has been similar; after conceding just one goal in the group stages, they drew 1-1 with Slovakia and Switzerland, winning in extra time and on penalties, respectively, before a late Ollie Watkins goal secured their 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands.
Spain’s attacking threats are hard to overlook, with 13 goals in six games in Germany (12 in normal time) and nine different scorers. England has been less prolific, scoring seven goals in total (six in normal time) from four different players. While Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have underwhelmed at times, they still managed five goals between them.
Spain’s Form is Hard to Ignore
England has undeniably improved as the tournament progressed. After lacklustre performances in the group stages and a tepid display against Slovakia in the last 16, they found their stride against Switzerland and upped their game further in the semi-finals. However, they will need to reach another level to overcome Spain, who have looked like genuine contenders from the start, defeating Croatia and Italy early on, breaking German hearts in the quarter-finals, and dominating a star-studded French side. Sunday’s final might just be a step too far for England.
Spain has won five of their six games at Euro 2024, avoiding penalties against Germany with a late winner. In contrast, England has only won twice in 90 minutes and drawn four times, with one knockout game going to penalties. Thus, I’m predicting a 2-1 win for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
Golden Boot Battle
The Golden Boot race will be decided after the final, with England’s Kane and Spain’s Dani Olmo among six players tied on three goals each. Olmo is a strong bet to score anytime at current prices, having netted in every knockout round so far. However, given Kane’s penalty duties for Gareth Southgate’s side, it wouldn’t be surprising to see both players on target in Berlin.
