After overcoming a deficit to defeat the Netherlands by a score of 2-1 on Wednesday night, England will go to Spain to compete in the final of the European Championship in 2024.
The Three Lions hope to advance further than they did at Euro 2020, where they were defeated by Italy in the championship match on penalties.
However, Spain, which has won the European Championship three times, is the team that stands in their way in Euro 2024.
What is England’s record when it comes to Spain?
The Three Lions have won both of their previous matches against Spain at the European Championships, and this will be the third time that England has faced Spain in a title match.
In the group stages of the 1980 tournament, England defeated Spain by a score of 2-1 in Naples despite both teams being eliminated.
In 1996, the two teams faced each other in the round of sixteen at Wembley Stadium, with England emerging victorious on penalties after a scoreless draw.
Spain defeated Brazil 1-0 in a group match at the 1950 World Cup, the only time they faced each other at a significant event. The game took place in Rio de Janeiro.
It is true that England prevailed in their most recent match, a 3-2 triumph in Seville during the 2018 Nations League. However, before that, they had only won two of their ten matches without resorting to penalties.
Spain’s challenge, and they are doing it in style
England was widely believed to be placed in the “easy half” of the Euro 2024 tournament draw. However, Spain’s path to the championship match was extremely challenging.
Croatia, the semi-finalists at the 2018 World Cup, and Italy, the defending European champions, were defeated by them in the group stage.
After that, they defeated the hosts Germany in the quarterfinals, considered to be the second-best team at the European Championships, and then eliminated France in the semifinals, who were the 2018 world champions.
In addition, they have won all six of their games without resorting to penalties. No team has ever accomplished this feat in the history of the European Championship.
Additionally, they have scored 13 goals, making them the highest scorers in the competition.
In addition, Spain has a rich history in the Euros, having won the tournament in 1964, 2008, and 2012. They are attempting to achieve this goal to become the first nation to win it four times.
Spain was the star of the competition.
If Spain emerges victorious, this tournament has the potential to be remembered as the one that marked the entrance of Yamal Lamine, similar to how Pele dominated the World Cup in 1958.
When Barcelona’s youngest player, who was only 16 years old at the time, started their opening game against Croatia, he became the youngest player in the history of the European Championship.
As a result of his incredible goal in the semifinal, he became the youngest player to score a goal in either the European Championship or the World Cup, surpassing Pele’s previous youth record. In addition to this, he broke Pele’s record for being the youngest player to compete in a semi-final in either contest.
Not only has he been participating in the tournament, where he has scored one of the goals, but statistically speaking, he has also been one of the finest players overall, with three assists and thirteen opportunities created.
Yamal plays on the right flank, and Nico Williams, who came from Athletic Bilbao and is only 21 years old, has been one of the other stars of the competition. Williams has played on the left side.
In the two days before the championship game, the two individuals, who have developed a strong friendship, celebrate birthdays together.
Another member of Luis de la Fuente’s team is Dani Olmo, a Leipzig midfielder currently in first place in the race for the Golden Boot. Even though he has only started two games, he has scored three goals, tied with four other players. However, the two assists that he has received are the deciding factor.
Rodri, a defensive midfielder for Manchester City and a Spanish player, is another candidate for the Player of the Tournament award.
Born when England eliminated Spain from the European Championship in 1996, the 28-year-old player has only lost one of his previous 79 matches for his club and his country.