Declan Rice vows to drink his first proper pint if England win Euro 2024, as tee-total midfielder calls for the Three Lions to ‘write our own history’ after devastating defeat in the final three years ago

Declan Rice has vowed to drink his first real pint of beer if England win the European Championship on Sunday.

The midfielder made the same promise ahead of the final three years ago, but Gareth Southgate’s side lost on penalties to Italy.

But with Spain awaiting England in Berlin on Sunday, Rice said: ‘I remember saying that (before the last final). I’ve had a beer since then, but I had it with a bit of lemonade! If we win, I’ll have a real beer. I’ll probably have to hold my nose because I hate the smell!’

Rice, like the team, delivered its best performance of the tournament in Wednesday night’s 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands in Dortmund.

England have faced a wave of criticism after previous performances but the 25-year-old had expected that, especially after a pep talk from a member of the royal family.

Rice has started every match of England’s run to the final and probably produced his best performance of the tournament in the semi-final

England suffered a crushing defeat in the final three years ago, but Rice has urged his team-mates to avoid a repeat on Sunday

“When Prince William came to St George’s Park he said it was going to be a rollercoaster and this tournament is brutal,” Rice said. “It’s been that way from the first minute. It started with Jude’s (Bellingham) bicycle kick and then the penalties (against Switzerland) and Holland was a completely different challenge.

“Now we’re back in the final. We’re so together. What a night (Wednesday). It was so emotional and meant everything. I’ve been in this position before and it feels just as good.”

England took an early lead in the final against Italy but sat back and surrendered their advantage before the shootout heartbreak. Rice says a sense of unfinished business is a motivating factor for Sunday.

‘Seeing Italy lift that trophy will stay with me forever,’ he added. ‘We now have another chance to write our own history. We just want to do it so badly. Not just for each other, but for the manager. I think he deserves it.

‘We know what we have to do now, compared to last time in terms of how to control the game, not sit back like we did when Italy got the better of us. We know how to win this final, which I think is positive.

‘With the last five we played the last two games, we kept the ball so well. When we were back we felt solid. We feel together and strong. We have players at club level who are used to taking the ball under pressure and playing in pockets. The improvement compared to the last Euros in the last five is that we keep the ball much better.’

England’s improvement has been due to the development of the midfield duo of Rice and Kobbie Mainoo.

The 19-year-old was man-of-the-match against the Netherlands and Rice said: “You can just see it. You speak to him and you just feel the calm presence that he has. What I like about him is that he’s not afraid to say it like it is.

“There was something towards the end when he gave me a pass between the lines and I was shortchanged for it. We had to sprint back and we had a bit of a run-in, but that’s good because you need that relationship. At 19, I can’t imagine many people would say that to older players, and that’s what I like about him.

Prince William (second left) warned England it would be a rollercoaster tournament, and the Three Lions have come in for a lot of criticism

England are starting to take shape, with Rice flourishing in midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo

Rice has praised Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest ever European Championship goalscorer in his team’s victory over France

“That’s also what the boys like about him. He gets that respect. He has that leadership. The conversations we have with each other every day, and on the training field, have brought us together. We have become a beautiful partnership.”

Spain, however, has its own teenage star. Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal turns 17 on Saturday.

And after watching him score from 25 yards in the semi-final against France, Rice admitted: ‘I tried to get a scholarship when I was 16 and Yamal put one in the top bins! At 16, what he’s doing is a whole other level. I definitely wasn’t ready for it at 16.

“They have so many experienced heads and some fantastic midfielders. It’s a game we believe we can win, so it’s set to be a great final. There’s someone else in our midst to do absolutely everything – for the lads, for the fans and for this manager. We’re so desperate to do this and bring some happiness to the country.”