Euro 2024 final: Three keys as England face Spain as Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham take center stage

The UEFA 2024 Euro Final takes place this Sunday in Berlin, where Spain will take on England in one of the most exciting matches in recent years. The side, coached by Luis de la Fuente, won all six matches of the tournament and are the main candidates for the final victory, but England are one of the strongest teams after Gareth Southgate’s team lost UEFA Euro 2020 to Italy. The Three Lions are in with a chance of winning their first European tournament, with Spain having won the trophy three times in 1968, 2008 and most recently in 2012. Let’s look at three keys to watching Sunday’s final:

How to watch and odds

• Date: Sunday July 14 | Time: 3:00 PM ET
• Place: Olympiastadion — Berlin, Germany
• TV: Fox | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
• Chances: Spain +150; Sign +180; England +250

Lamine Yamal vs. Jude Bellingham

The two stars to watch on Sunday, and it’s been their tournament so far. Spanish star Lamine Yamal and England midfielder Jude Bellingham were the players who impressed most this summer. Yamal, after making his professional debut at FC Barcelona under More than the records and age, Yamal was impressed by the quality of football, and how he is already becoming an important player for the team, scoring stunning goals such as the one against France in the semi-final . On the other hand, Bellingham has become a superstar after joining Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for 103 million euros in the summer of 2023, winning the Champions League and La Liga in his first season under Carlo Ancelotti. Both Yamal and Bellingham are now vying for the UEFA Euro 2024 MVP award, with Sunday’s match likely to decide the winner as well.

Southgate can handle the pressure

While Spain was just beginning a new cycle under de la Fuente after being promoted to Spain manager in 2022 after coaching the U23 team, England head coach Gareth Southgate became the national team manager in 2016 and since then England embarked on a cycle that still failed to produce any trophies, including the disappointment of 2021, when the Three Lions lost to Italy on penalties in the final at Wembley. After the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the 2020 final and the quarter-finals of the last World Cup, this is probably the last chance for him to win a trophy with the national team. After some criticism and public doubt, it is not impossible to think that he would somehow leave his job. However, we thought the same could happen to France manager Didier Deschamps, but it looks like he will remain in charge for the 2026 World Cup. Southgate must continue like him in the semi-finals by pressing the right buttons against the troublesome Spaniards.

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Some similarities, but who stands out?

Spain and England have a number of things in common when looking at the squad. Overall, they both have a balance of some experienced players and talents who have already shown their potential for the future. Yamal, Bellingham, but also Nico Williams, Phil Foden, Pedri, Kobbie Mainoo, for example, play alongside the experienced Alvaro Morata and Harry Kane. While Spain are currently building a team after Luis Enrique left his role in 2022, Southgate is looking for his trophy after taking charge in 2016 and missing out on potential European Championship victory in 2021. Both national teams certainly have a lot to achieve in the competition. coming years and a defeat on Sunday will not change what their ambitions will look like in the coming years from the 2026 World Cup. But because of their similarities and potential for the future, this game will be about limiting mistakes and possibly an individual moment of brilliance.