History beckons on Sunday for England and Spain when they meet in the final of UEFA Euro 2024. It could be a first men's European Championships for the Three Lions, following on from a historic win for the women's side. or a record-breaking fourth for La Furia Roja, the team that has been by far and away the best performing team in the tournament so far. England arguably have the most talent on paper though, but it took until their triumph over the Dutch in the semifinals for those qualities to begin to shine through. Let's take a look at what could be the decisive trends in the game and what could a win for either side mean in the aftermath.
Golazo Starting XI Newsletter
Your ultimate guide to the Beautiful Game as our experts take you beyond the pitch and around the globe with news that matters.
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What changes will be made to the starting XIs?
To what extent did the impressive performances of those who entered the defensive fray against France influence Luis de la Fuente for the biggest game of his managerial career? At right back, one would assume the answer is not at all. Jesus Navas performed well in spite of the circumstances the 37-year-old found himself in when he was booked early on while having the task of defending the most dangerous forward in football, but he was aided no end by his opposition's curious reluctance to circulate the ball to Kylian Mbappe on the left flank. In spite of that, it is hard to see how Dani Carvajal, so reliable in the biggest games, does not come in.
Aymeric Laporte's partner might be a little more up for debate. Robin Le Normand had looked solid enough without ever quite excelling before a yellow card ruled him out of the semifinal, one where Nacho entered the fray impressively. The former Real Madrid captain has seen it all when it comes to big finals -- and done it when occasionally called for -- and such big game experience cannot be discounted.
England, on the other hand, is likely to roll out at least 10 of the players who Southgate has entrusted to get them to another final. There are question marks over the availability of Kieran Trippier, substituted off at half time as a precaution in the semifinal win over the Netherlands. It would hardly be the end of the world for the Three Lions, who spent so much much of the tournament without a functioning left side, if Luke Shaw entered the fray.
For all the question marks over Southgate's tactical acumen, it should be noted that even while deploying an infrequently changing starting lineup -- Declan Rice's midfield partner the only unsettled slot during this tournament -- he has been able to give different looks to his England side. Against Switzerland came the much vaunted pivot to a 3-4-2-1, Bukayo Saka functioning as a true right-sided attacker in possession, while Trippier's role was more hybrid.
export-2024-07-12t123426-697.png
England's pass network in the first half of their 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinal TruMedia
In the first half against the Dutch, however, England were even more front-footed. You could be forgiven for confusing the pass map above with something from a progressive, ball-dominant club side. It is not a million miles away from the sort of 2-3-5 in possession that Arsenal and Manchester City exploit, perhaps more 2-4-4, Walker and Trippier less inverting and more looking to stretch the width of the pitch with overlapping runs.
Will England feel like they can get away with such aggressive possession play from their full backs (especially the one who is supposed to be a hybrid wing back) when Dani Olmo and Rodri are waiting to spri
Spain vs England Ｌｉｖｅ Ｓｔｒｅａｍｓ ＦｒＥＥ 14 July ２０２４
History beckons on Sunday for England and Spain when they meet in the final of UEFA Euro 2024. It could be a first men's European Championships for the Three Lions, following on from a historic win for the women's side. or a record-breaking fourth for La Furia Roja, the team that has been by far and away the best performing team in the tournament so far. England arguably have the most talent on paper though, but it took until their triumph over the Dutch in the semifinals for those qualities to begin to shine through. Let's take a look at what could be the decisive trends in the game and what could a win for either side mean in the aftermath.
Golazo Starting XI Newsletter
Your ultimate guide to the Beautiful Game as our experts take you beyond the pitch and around the globe with news that matters.
I agree to receive the "Golazo Starting XI Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies.
By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge Paramount's Privacy Policy.
What changes will be made to the starting XIs?
To what extent did the impressive performances of those who entered the defensive fray against France influence Luis de la Fuente for the biggest game of his managerial career? At right back, one would assume the answer is not at all. Jesus Navas performed well in spite of the circumstances the 37-year-old found himself in when he was booked early on while having the task of defending the most dangerous forward in football, but he was aided no end by his opposition's curious reluctance to circulate the ball to Kylian Mbappe on the left flank. In spite of that, it is hard to see how Dani Carvajal, so reliable in the biggest games, does not come in.
Aymeric Laporte's partner might be a little more up for debate. Robin Le Normand had looked solid enough without ever quite excelling before a yellow card ruled him out of the semifinal, one where Nacho entered the fray impressively. The former Real Madrid captain has seen it all when it comes to big finals -- and done it when occasionally called for -- and such big game experience cannot be discounted.
England, on the other hand, is likely to roll out at least 10 of the players who Southgate has entrusted to get them to another final. There are question marks over the availability of Kieran Trippier, substituted off at half time as a precaution in the semifinal win over the Netherlands. It would hardly be the end of the world for the Three Lions, who spent so much much of the tournament without a functioning left side, if Luke Shaw entered the fray.
For all the question marks over Southgate's tactical acumen, it should be noted that even while deploying an infrequently changing starting lineup -- Declan Rice's midfield partner the only unsettled slot during this tournament -- he has been able to give different looks to his England side. Against Switzerland came the much vaunted pivot to a 3-4-2-1, Bukayo Saka functioning as a true right-sided attacker in possession, while Trippier's role was more hybrid.
export-2024-07-12t123426-697.png
England's pass network in the first half of their 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinal TruMedia
In the first half against the Dutch, however, England were even more front-footed. You could be forgiven for confusing the pass map above with something from a progressive, ball-dominant club side. It is not a million miles away from the sort of 2-3-5 in possession that Arsenal and Manchester City exploit, perhaps more 2-4-4, Walker and Trippier less inverting and more looking to stretch the width of the pitch with overlapping runs.
Will England feel like they can get away with such aggressive possession play from their full backs (especially the one who is supposed to be a hybrid wing back) when Dani Olmo and Rodri are waiting to spri