Euro 2024 Final: Heart chooses Spain, reason gives England a chance

On different paths, but when reaching the Euro 2024 final, both Spain and England showed that they deserve to be the two strongest football teams in Europe at the moment.

Spain (left) vs England - Photo: Reuters

The Euro 2024 final between Spain and England will take place at 2:00 a.m. on July 15 (Vietnam time) at the Olympiastadion stadium (Berlin). The main referee will be Francois Letexier (French).

Love chooses Spain

In Sportsmole's pre-match poll, 65% of fans believe Spain will win. That result reflects the emotional quality of watching football. England have more stars, more media appeal and a larger population than Spain. But at Euro 2024, Spain is the most spectacular team. With 13 goals in 6 matches, Spain and Germany are the two rare teams to maintain a performance of 2 goals/match throughout the Euro. Spain is more impressive because they fell into a very difficult group with Italy and Croatia, and also faced a solid defense of France in the semi-finals. 4/6 matches of coach De La Fuente's team were against European giants. However, Spain always played offensively, always dominated the opponent. When it comes to the concept of "dominating the game", fans immediately think of the way Spain controls the ball with sideways and back passes - a boring style of football that they have maintained for the past decade. But at Euro 2024, Mr. De La Fuente has created a revolution. In the two wins over Croatia (3-0) and Germany (2-1), Spain was the team that had less possession of the ball. Except for the big win over Georgia, Spain did not have possession of the ball up to 60% in the remaining matches. The way Spain imposes at Euro 2024 is the way they deploy comprehensive attacks. It is the way they create breakthroughs from every position, as well as look for goals from every individual. If not counting own goals, there have been 9 Spanish players who have scored at Euro 2024. In addition, Pedri and Oyarzabal - who have not scored but have created goals. Spain has a total of 11 players directly participating in goals, a complete squad. The corresponding figure for England is only 8. Under De La Fuente, Spain can create goals from anywhere, anytime and with any player. Even in their golden years (2008-2012), Spain did not create so many emotions.

Reason gives England a chance

Praising Spain but don't forget England. If De La Fuente created innovation from the tactical side, coach Southgate showed courage in choosing players. Specifically, he gave the starting position to 19-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo from the round of 16 and gradually reaped sweet rewards from this young player. In the match against the Netherlands, the decision to replace Watkins - Palmer with superstar duo Kane - Folden created an eye-catching victory. Southgate may have been lucky from the draw, the opponent to the spectacular escapes. But the explosion from England's superstars is an undeniable factor. In all 3 knockout matches, England overcame thanks to such superstar moments. That was Bellingham's beautiful overhead kick against Slovakia. It was Saka's dangerous long-range solo shot against Switzerland. It was Watkins' surprising twist and finish against the Netherlands. In all three of those matches, England won in a comeback. If Spain created beauty in their absolute attacking ability, England's beauty came from their never-give-up spirit. And both teams had stars who knew how to explode and score great goals.

Expected lineup of 2 teams - Graphics: AN BINH

Fight of wits, fight of every moment

One important thing De La Fuente and Gareth Southgate have in common is that they have both been national youth coaches for quite a long time. With De La Fuente, he was in charge of Spain's youth teams from U17 to U23 from 2013 to 2021. Southgate was less, but also in charge of England's U21 from 2013 to 2016. And young players are the most powerful weapons that these two coaches bring to the final. Fuente has in his hands the "angel wings" Nico Williams - Lamine Yamal. As for Southgate, he has been saved three times by U23 players like Bellingham, Saka and Palmer. In a final, tight play often prevails, especially when each side is a squad of stars who have known each other at big clubs. All the Spaniards are familiar with Bellingham, while Rodri, Foden, Walker, Stones are teammates at Man City... Spain played offensively throughout the tournament. There is no reason for coach De La Fuente to change their style in the final against an England team that is not very defensively solid. The "Bulls" promise to enter the game with a controlled and fast-paced style of play. Williams and Yamal have not shown any signs of being caught. In particular, their conductor is now Dani Olmo - who tends to break through more than Pedri. What coach De La Fuente worries about most is probably not penetrating the opponent's defense, but quality "counterattacks" from the England team. The more he plays, coach Southgate shows that he has many unpredictable explosives. Even when he is behind and enters the 80th minute, England's chance of turning the game around is still very high. The last time Spain and England met in a major tournament was at Euro 1996. And now, two teams that do not have much fate will enter a final that promises to be attractive because of the quality of the stars.

England will win in extra time

This is the commentator Ngo Quang Tung's opinion with Tuoi Tre before the Euro 2024 final. In my opinion, the championship opportunity is equally divided between the two teams. Spain (Spain) has a very high level of game control. When needed, Spain can push the game's speed very high. They have many options for attacking and circulating the ball very quickly. With a pair of dangerous central midfielders, Spain's two wingers have the advantage in occupying space and deploying attacking intentions. Spain's ability to stretch the opponent's defense and occupy space is very good. The stars of the England team will be a challenge for Spain. In the three matches in the knockout round, England lost first and had to come back. Although the comeback methods were very different, they both showed their qualities. England's operating system has also improved a lot. Especially the impact of coach Southgate in adjusting personnel and tactics. Such as putting Phil Foden on the right, tending to play behind striker Harry Kane, pushing Bellingham to the left. This is what makes England's play smoother. But England's big problem is the position of defender Kieran Trippier. It will be a concern when Lamine Yamal (Spain) is playing impressively. England's defense also needs to be calculated and arranged reasonably. It is important that England's midfield trio Declan Rice - Foden - Bellingham must control the midfield area when facing Spain's Rodri - Fabian Ruiz - Olmo. England's midfielders must play low and tight to force Spain to play more high balls, which will bring out the interception ability of England's central defenders. England will try to bring the match into a stalemate, possibly extending to extra time. I have a feeling that England can change the losing streak in the final by winning in extra time. I want a title for England - something that has eluded them for 58 years since the 1966 World Cup.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chung-ket-euro-2024-trai-tim-chon-tay-ban-nha-ly-tri-cho-anh-co-hoi-20240714075749426.htm