It all comes down to this.
Following a month of breathtaking, drama-filled action in Germany, we will finally crown a new European champion after this Sunday’s Euro 2024 Final in Berlin. And I, for one, am salivating at this terrific championship matchup on paper.
The Spanish bring copious amounts of pedigree and electric young talent like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to the table. They are firmly a true international power to be reckoned with regardless of what happens in Berlin. This will not be the last we hear of them.
Far from it.
Meanwhile, the star-crossed English men bring a history of anguish to a second consecutive Euro Final. They are the Chicago Cubs or Toronto Maple Leafs of their sport. It would be one of the greatest stories in modern soccer for them to finally capture a major international title. Given the transcendent abilities of guys like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, it’s not hard to envision.
Unfortunately, someone’s gotta lose. Someone’s gotta live with so much heartbreak. Let’s break down the Euro 2024 Final and pick a winner.
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There’s a lot of star power in this Euro Final, but the contrast in play style couldn’t be more stark.
Despite having one of the finer attacking cores in the tournament, England is usually content to play Gareth Southgate’s brand of “parking the bus.” The English will often grind out a single goal before aimlessly maintaining possession just so they can’t lose by taking any risks. For any bog-standard soccer fan, it’s infuriating to watch this sort of passive cowardice, especially knowing that England can play so much better.
If there’s any consolation, England’s offense has kinda come alive in the knockout stages. It scored five goals en route to the Final and has started to show more of a championship-worthy punch. I have significant questions about a shaky back-line anchored by John Stones and Kyle Walker — a strong midfield can victimize them — but perhaps that’s why England plays Southgate Ball in the first place.
As for Spain, I … have no tangible concerns. This team is without weakness.
This is a balanced and impeccably deep group full of firecrackers. Rodri is the current best midfielder in the world, Dani Olmo is no slouch, and teenage sensation Yamal might become the best player in the world in the near future. With a confident defense buoyed by Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella, the Spanish control play with a stunning ruthlessness.
They do not let up, and they do not care if you ask for mercy.
I’m tempted to give England some benefit of the doubt. I can foresee a scenario where the Three Lions take advantage of an early lapse by Spain only to sit on the ball for the rest of the game. It’s not impossible, and it happens in major soccer tournaments all the time. The structure of potential extra time almost incentivizes not losing instead of trying to win.
Unfortunately for England, this is the only way I can see it winning.
Spain has been the clear best team in Euro 2024 from start to finish. Where every other team has shown cracks in the armor now and then, Spain has kept the pedal to the metal. It looks like a nation ready to begin another run of international dominance not so dissimilar from the two European championships and World Cup it won from 2008 to 2012.
England is but another roadblock in Spain’s path to exceptional history.
Prediction: Spain 2, England 1
