England face Spain in the Olympiastadion in Berlin in the final match of Euro 2024, looking to finally win a first major honour since 1966 – but the tournament’s best side stand in their way
Euros: Fans gather outside of Olympiastadion
Here we go!
England face Spain in the final of Euro 2024, looking to go one step further than three years ago and finally claim a major trophy for the first time since that triumphant day in 1966.
Gareth Southgate and his side have been heavily criticised for their performances, but the last minute winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final has seen all that drown into the background as Harry Kane and co. seek glory in Berlin. Standing in their way are Spain, led by the teenage sensation Lamine Yamal – who will be playing no matter whether he’s breaking German law or not – the competition’s best side.
Southgate has made some very bold decisions with his teams of late and has produced another tonight.
So, will it be coming home? Mirror Football keep you up to date with all the latest news, views and more right here…
CONFIRMED ENGLAND XI (3-4-2-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Rice, Mainoo, Shaw; Bellingham, Foden, Kane.
CONFIRMED SPAIN XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata.
Updates Available
21:321 min agoSamuel Meade
England comeback – again!
Just what the doctor ordered. Saka is positive outside, finding Bellingham who lays it off for Palmer.
The Chelsea man, 20 odd yards out, guides it into the bottom corner with a lovely left-foot strike.
We’re level in Berlin.
21:312 mins agoKey Event
PALMER LEVELS FOR ENGLAND!
THAT BOY! IS THERE ANYTHING HE CAN’T DO?!?!
70 mins5 mins agoSamuel Meade
England 0-1 Spain
Spain still pressing well and winning the ball high up, which means they remain a huge threat.
A long range effort from Ruiz goes well over as Palmer comes on for England, replacing Mainoo.
More attacking and progressive moves from Southgate here.
21:276 mins agoSamuel Meade
That feeling
If only it were the England bench doing that..
The Spanish celebrate taking the lead
67 mins8 mins agoSamuel Meade
England 0-1 Spain
Pickford comes up with a big save to deny Yamal and keep England in the game.
The Barcelona man had to step back inside but his curled effort wasn’t enough to beat the Everton No 1.
The resulting corner comes to nothing with Spain making changes as Oyarzabal coming on for Morata.
65 mins10 mins agoSamuel Meade
England 0-1 Spain
A beautiful turn from Bellingham allows him to shoot from 20 yards but his effort is always going wide – its a great show of intent from England though.
Foden’s hard work made the chance happen with the Three Lions looking ingreasingly threatening.
Watkins now running in behind – something Kane wasn’t offering – and this could give England another dynamic.
61 mins13 mins agoSamuel Meade
England 0-1 Spain
Kane is off, Watkins is on after an hour. Southgate clearly knows his time is up – and fair play for making the change.
England starting to look a bit better here, camping themselves in the Spanish half. Let’s be honest they know how to recover from going 1-0 down in a knockout game.
21:1617 mins agoAndy Dunn
Painful watching Kane
Watching Harry Kane is painful right now. His booking was the result of pure frustration, frustration at not being able to have any impact on the game.
Time will tell if it is a physical issue but the skipper is unable to cause the Spanish any sort of problem.
Now that Spain have gone ahead, Gareth Southgate has to be bold and has to bring on the threat of Ollie Watkins.
57 mins18 mins agoSamuel Meade
England 0-1 Spain
England try and play out but Rice gives it away and Williams finds it 20 odd yards out.
He lets rip and his drive skims past the post with the Three Lions on the ropes here.
Dare we ask for changes?
55 mins20 mins agoSamuel Meade
England 0-1 Spain
If England were planning a response to going behind it is yet to come.
Spain have gone ahead and stepped back into their usual rhythm of keeping the ball. All the talk was of Yamal pre-match but it is Williams who has really got a spark at the moment.
Stones needed to cop a yellow to stop Zubimendi stridding forward on goal.
Spain well on top here.
21:1123 mins agoSamuel Meade
Williams ignites the final
The Spanish winger finished smartly to score the opener
49 mins25 mins agoSamuel Meade
England 0-1 Spain
Wow – Olmo had a chance to possibly kill this final. What a chance.
Spain break and eventually the Leipzig man is 12 yards out and strikes the ball on the turn, but drags his shot wide. Huge let off for England, who haven’t got going again yet.
21:0628 mins agoKey Event
WILLIAMS PUTS SPAIN AHEAD!
A minute in to the second-half and Yamal combines with Williams.
The Barcelona man picks it up on the right and cuts in, eventually finding his colleague, who slots it across Pickford to ignite this final
21:0429 mins agoSamuel Meade
Second-half underway
Morata with the first pass of the second period.
Strap in once more!
21:0331 mins agoKey Event
Wow – Rodri forced off
The Man City man has been forced off with what must be an injury as Real Sociedad’s Zubimendi comes on to replace him.
It means two of the three midfielders who began in the Spanish midfield when the Euros began – Pedri and Rodri – are absent.
A big blow for Spain.
20:5835 mins agoSamuel Meade
What’s the plan Gareth?
Well, despite all the criticism, he’s had all the answers thus far at the Euros.
Some big decisions to make for Southgate on what is a legacy-defining night.
England and Spain are goalless at half-time
20:5737 mins agoJohn Cross
ANALYSIS – England’s first-half
It was too cagey and nervous to be a classic. But England looked solid tactically, keeping Spain at bay.
I think Luke Shaw has been fantastic, really limiting Lamine Yamal. He’s been the standout player for England, in my opinion.
I don’t think Gareth Southgate will be disappointed at half time. England have kept it tight, look strong in defence and have had the odd opening or breakaway. England are very much in this game at half time.
20:4747 mins agoKey Event
Half-time – England and Spain still goalless
Wow – the first proper save of the match as Foden gets onto a flick at the back post. He stretches to hit a volley but Simon is able to save it at his near post.
That was your lot for the opening 45. Two big team talks to come as we’re no closer to a winner in this Euros final.
20:4548 mins agoSamuel Meade
Two minutes added on..
England with a free-kick in the Spanish third.
Over to you…
43 mins50 mins agoSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
Not Yamal’s night so far, nothing he’s tried has come off as he’s halted by experience.
Morata runs in nicely behind but can’t get past Guehi as England continue to stand firm.
39 mins54 mins agoSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
Williams looks to have gone over to the right to aid Yamal’s battle with Shaw.
Spain enjoying some time and territory in the England half but still can’t muster a proper chance.
Ruiz sends in a cross looking for Morata but it floats out of play.
Just over five minutes until the interval.
36 mins57 mins agoSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
This contest becoming slightly cagey – in need of a spark from somewhere.
Spain fans are limited in this stadium but they’re making plenty of noise as Olmo, who receives in on the outside of the box from a corner, can’t connect properly with his shot from distance.
The Spanish the more likely here, but neither goalkeeper has had any meaningful work to do yet.
20:3559 mins agoSamuel Meade
Real team-mates go at it
Bellingham and Carvajal are opponents in tonight’s Euro final
31 minsSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
Olmo joins Kane in the book as he picks up Spain’s first yellow.
Morata might be kicking himself as he failed to execute a through ball, which could put his team through on goal.
Rice currently receiving some treatment after being on the wrong end of Olmo’s challenge.
28 minsSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
Spain begin mounting an attack with Ruiz central to everything. He manages to find some space and fires a shot, but its blocked. flies safely into Pickford’s hands.
Iniesta watching on, the man who won the Euros in 2008 and 2012. How he’d love to see his nation get the job done again.
25 minsSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
Kane gets the first yellow of the night as a reckless lunge lands him in the book.
Before that Carvajal was lucky to avoid one as he pushed Saka down as England looked to break.
A sloppy pass from Foden also allowed Yamal to get onto the ball in the box but his cross was blocked.
22 minsSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
A period of play with the ball staying largely in the middle third of the pitch.
An early word for Shaw, yes there were concerns over him starting but, given the hype around Yamal, the Man Utd left-back has been excellent.
He’s by far had the best of his personal battle and currently has Bellingham for company on the left flank with the pair yet to combine in an attacking sense.
18 minsSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
A bit of front foot stuff here from England as they mount a wave of attacks.
That came after Stones launched a pass back to his goalkeeper from 40 odd yards – one Pickford won’t have appreciated.
England meanwhile use their width well and put some dangerous balls in, albeit Spain are able to clear without to much fuss.
20:15Samuel Meade
Wingers looking to make their mark
Williams is another of the main Spanish treats, but Saka too could be a handfull
14 minsSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
Spain send the corner deep and a header back across allows Le Normand to get an acrobatic in on goal, albeit its well wide.
Walker could only hobble back to the defensive line as Trippier is sent out to warm-up. An unwanted injury scare here for Southgate.
12 minsSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
A long ball from Pickford gets England up the pitch and Bellingham is first to a second ball, leading to a foul from Rodri.
They can’t make anything of the free-kick though, handing Spain back the ball, which is something they could do without this evening.
Williams manages to get himself 1-1 with Stones and, with the Spaniard looking to get a shot off, Stones comes up with a huge block.
Not ideal though as Walker is down and looking for some treatment.
8 minsSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
Some neat play for Spain who retain the ball well before they up the tempo. Williams goes for a give and go in and around the edge of the box but can’t keep hold of it.
Rice then does some nice mopping up to stop Ruiz from getting on the ball.
Spain certainly asserting themselves in the opening stages here.
20:06Samuel Meade
Shaw having an early edge
Shaw vs Yamal will be one of the major contests of the evening
5 minsSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
England look to have lined-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Foden occupying the 10 role and Bellingham going out to the left.
Another big win for Shaw who gets a foot in to disposses Yamal. Williams gets a chance to show what he can do as Stones is forced to put his delivery behind for a corner.
3 minsSamuel Meade
England 0-0 Spain
A first big win for Shaw over Yamal as the Spain youngster tries to come inside, only to get nudged off the ball.
The Spanish, as expected, have dominated possession early on, but are happy to keep it in and around their backline for now.
Interesting to note England are pressing much higher than expected.
20:00Samuel Meade
We’re underway!
England kick things off with the ball going long straight away, but Spain now get their first taste of posession
19:57Samuel Meade
Anthems done
We’ve had both sets of anthems and now the players are shaking hands before they go to battle.
Kick-off moments away – how’s your nerves?
19:54Samuel Meade
It’s waiting for the winner
We’ve been close, but not close enough, in the past.
So many of the elite European nations have lifted it, England haven’t. Could that change come 10pm tonight?
The Henri Delaunay trophy will go to tonight’s winner
19:52Samuel Meade
Not everyone’s happy with the stadium music
Ex-Liverpool man Luis Garcia doesn’t think the Olympiastadion is being very fair with the tunes!
19:50Samuel Meade
Still issues for some England fans trying to get access
19:46Alex Richards
Prince William in attendance as he treats son
Prince William is in attendance in Berlin tonight – and he’s taken Prince George along for his first Three Lions match abroad.
Wills has been in attendance for two matches already so far at this tournament, but this is the first time he’s brought his eldest son along on an away day outside the UK for the football.
19:44Samuel Meade
Boy wonder
The man everyone is wanting to see. The Spanish wonderkid has broken numerous records over the past four weeks and could cap an incredible Euros with another elite showing tonight.
One things for sure, Yamal is a name we’ll be saying for a long, long time.
Lamine Yamal has just celebrated his 17th birthday
19:41Felix Keith
Wimbledon champion racing the clock to watch his beloved Spain
Carlos Alcaraz wrapped up the Wimbledon title in quick time, beating Novak Djokovic in two hours and 27 minutes, yet he still might miss watching his beloved Spain play tonight.
Alcaraz is currently rattling through his many media commitments at the All England Club – and then will have to attend the Champions’ Ball this evening.
“Well, I have the dinner that all the winners have, after all,” he said when asked in his press conference how he’d watch the match.
“Yeah, I will watch it for sure at the phone the first half. The second half I will watch on the TV over there. I can’t miss it. So it’s going to be a really big moment for the Spanish people. I have to just stay there. As they were watching my final, I have to watch their final and support them.”
19:37Samuel Meade
There’s issues getting in for some England fans ahead of kick-off
19:36Samuel Meade
Ruiz aiming to extend unbeaten run
The PSG star has played 28 times for Spain and is yet to experience the feeling of losing.
His country have won all six games so far at the Euros and he may have forgotten what it feels like to be on the wrong end of the result.
Fabian Ruiz has been a standout at the Euros(
19:32Samuel Meade
Final preparations
Around half an hour to go until kick-off in the German capital.
England are currently going through their paces with Kane and co certainly doing their bit to get eachother primed.
Togetherness has been a huge part of Southgate’s England and that’s not going to change.
The Three Lions are relishing another final at a major tournament
19:27Samuel Meade
The thoughts of our own John Cross in Berlin
19:22Samuel Meade
Some words from the England boss
He’s made a big decision by picking Shaw ahead of Trippier and said: “He’s an experienced player and we feel his return to play we’ve managed pretty well. He’s ready to play. Obviously he gives us balance.
“Kieran’s done a brilliant job for the team and the way he’s handled everything in the last few weeks has been top class.”
Southgate added on tonight’s challenge: “We’ve got to use the ball well. The press really well. We’ve got to move the ball quickly through or around them. Then you’ve got to be disciplined in how you defend. You can’t just go tearing around the pitch. But we believe we’ve got everything in the squad to go and get the win.”
19:19Samuel Meade
Another great omen
No team that have reached consecutive Euro finals have lost them both.
It wasn’t to be in 2021, but this time England are determined to put that hurt behind them.
The stats suggest they will. Let’s not tempt fate but… please!
19:16Andy Lines
Scots in the crowd staying neutral
There were even three Scottish fans in the crowd loving the atmosphere.
Celtic fan Gerry Kelly, 53, from Cambuslang is with his two mates from Glasgow.
“Were just looking toward to a good game and loving the atmosphere. The history of the stadium is amazing – especially the Jesse Owens entrance. It’s been a very special day.”
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