The Euro 2024 Final is fast approaching with England set to take on Spain from the Olympiastadion Berlin on Sunday, July 14.
Ollie Watkins superb 90th minute strike against the Netherlands propelled the Three Lions to their second straight European Championship Final. Can England dispel the ghosts of tournaments’ past and finally bring the trophy home? Or will the strongest Spanish squad in a decade put the cherry on top of their impressive Euro 2024 showing?
England vs. Spain Euro 2024 Final Odds
Odds as of July 12
Is It Coming Home?
England have struggled for form at Euro 2024. But, you can't argue with the results. Gareth Southgate has been dragged left and right by the English media throughout this tournament, and yet England have reached the final.
That being said, England have now recorded as many victories over top 10 teams in the world rankings in the last eight years under Southgate as they have in the 24 prior years. You can certainly argue with his methods, but the results speak for themselves.
The Three Lions slowly, sometimes agonizingly so, grown into this tournament. The attacking quartet of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden have improved in recent matches, with their second half dispel against the Dutch in the semis being the most fluid period of football England have played.
Even if they go down early, don't count England out. They've now come from behind to win each of their three knockout round matches in spectacular fashion.
Spain are A dangerous Squad
Luis De La Fuente has La Roja on a magical run. Spain are the first team in Euro history to win six matches and have done so in impressive fashion.
Led by the illustrious talents of wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, Spain lead Euro 2024 with 13 goals from nine different goalscorers. Their versatile attacks have left even the most stalwart defenders grasping for air.
Additionally, Spain's Rodri-Fabian Ruiz midfield partnership has been flawless, and allowed the likes of Pedri – and now Dani Olmo to move forward into space and devastate opposing defenses. Olmo has thrived as La Roja's super sub, scoring goals in three straight knockout stage games and providing two key assists. Including the extra-time winner in extra time against Germany.
Spain have led their matches a sparkling 58% of the time at Euro 2024. They have been far and away the best team at the tournament thus far, and will aim to put the bow on their sparkling performance.
England vs Spain Euro 2024 Final Best Bet
Spain have conceded 42% of chances this tournament down their left flank. The one which Chelsea's Marc Cucurella will hope to slow down the exploits of Arsenal star boy Bukayo Saka. We've seen the results of that movie before.
Cucurella will have little hope of containing England's marauding number seven alone. However, if De La Fuente is forced to funnel help his way, the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and suddenly dangerous Phil Foden await.
On top of that, Spain's Rodri enters Sunday's Euro 2024 final on a monumental 472 day unbeaten run with La Roja. He's lost just one of his last 78 starts for club and country, May's FA Cup final. England's Kobbie Mainoo scored, and won man of the match that day to end Rodri's Manchester City unbeaten run. The 18-year-old can become his kryptonite on Sunday. Germany aggressively man-marked both Rodri and Ruiz in the first half of their quarterfinal matchup, and I expect Gareth Southgate to do the same, with Mainoo and perhaps Jude Bellingham or Foden leading the charge.
Ultimately, England arrive in Berlin with a far more experienced national side. Having made back-to-back finals, and appearing in the semifinals in three of the last four major international tournaments. For that reason I'll lean on the Three Lions to come out on top in Berlin on Sunday and bring home their first major tournament trophy since the 1966 World Cup. I also like the odds on Cucurella to be booked, as he somehow looks to balance his attacking role with his defensive responsibilities on Saka.
Euro 2024 Final Pick: England to Win Final (+129), Marc Cucurella to be booked (+220)