Spain vs. England: A Thrilling Euro 2024 Final Awaits
After two dramatic semi-final victories, England and Spain have qualified for the final of the European Football Championship, set to take place next Sunday evening at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Spain, considered the most prominent team in the tournament, overcame a deficit to eliminate Kylian Mbappé and France. Meanwhile, England secured their spot in the final with a remarkable winning goal from substitute Ollie Watkins.
At the beginning of the 2024 European Championship, England was favored to win the title by 19.9%, according to Opta. Despite a lackluster start, Gareth Southgate's side proved their mettle in the semi-final. Spain, initially given a 15.41% chance, has seen their odds improve significantly. As it stands, Opta's supercomputer now predicts a 60.38% chance for Spain to clinch the title.
Road to the Final: Spain's Dominance and England's Struggles
Spain's journey to the final has been nothing short of impressive. They maintained clean sheets in the group stage against Croatia, Italy, and Albania, and went on to defeat Georgia 4-1 in the quarter-finals. Their victories over heavyweight teams Germany and France in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively, have solidified their status as favorites.
On the other hand, England's path to the final has been fraught with challenges. They began with a modest 1-0 win over Serbia and faced heavy criticism following draws with Denmark and Slovenia. Their narrow escape against Slovakia, thanks to goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, and a penalty shootout win against Switzerland, have highlighted their struggles. Despite these hurdles, their resilience could be the key to a potential upset in the final.
- French referee François Letexier has been appointed to officiate the final match between Spain and England. This marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the first Frenchman to referee a Euro final since Michel Vautrot in 1988. Letexier has previously officiated several important matches, including the UEFA Super Cup between Manchester City and Sevilla in 2023.
- Letexier will be supported by French assistant referees Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni. Additionally, Szymon Marciniak from Poland, who was the main referee for the 2022 World Cup final, will serve as the fourth official. Jérôme Brisard and Willy Delajod will act as video assistant referees.
