From stopping Spain’s Rolls Royce to being brave on the ball – DANNY MURPHY’s six-point plan for England to win the Euro 2024 final

England and Spain will battle it out for the outcome of Euro 2024 as all eyes of the football world turn to Berlin on Sunday evening.

It took a while for the Three Lions to get going in Germany, but they eventually managed to remain unbeaten and move into contention for silverware.

Meanwhile, Spain are the best team at Euro 2024, having won six out of six and are standing in the way of England as the men’s team battles for their first major trophy since 1966.

Gareth Southgate gave his final press conference on Saturday ahead of what could be his final match as the country’s manager as he awaits a decision on his future.

DANNY MURPHY, who was in Dortmund to see Ollie Watkins score the winning goal in the closing stages to beat the Netherlands, believes our boys can end the long wait for glory…

Spain are the best team at Euro 2024, having won six of their six matches in impressive fashion.

Wingbacks must be brave

Having impressed in the last two games with wingbacks, I would be surprised if Gareth Southgate changes formation. If so, it is important that the wingbacks are brave enough to get high up the pitch to cause problems for the fullbacks.

It would also pose a dilemma for Spanish wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, who will have to decide whether to follow Bukayo Saka on the right and Luke Shaw or Kieran Trippier on the left.

Without our wingbacks being tall, the Spanish speed demons can focus entirely on attack. Germany provided an example when they went in search of an equaliser in their quarter-final.

They pushed their full-backs high and Spain eventually replaced Yamal and Williams. Saka likes to push and Trippier did that well in the first half against the Netherlands, contributing to England’s best 45 minutes of the tournament.

England’s wingbacks like Bukayo Saka and Luke Shaw need to be brave and get on the pitch

If our wingbacks are not high, the Spanish speed demons can fully focus on progress

Stop Rolls-Royce Rodri

Rodri is probably the best holding midfielder I have ever seen – and there have been some great ones. His work without the ball is phenomenal, but the way he can dictate games with the ball doesn’t get enough credit.

He’s a great footballer and if we’re choosing between Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, or Harry Kane if he comes deep, we have to put pressure on Rodri and prevent him from running the show.

Spain have other good players, notably Fabian Ruiz, but they are still better off having the ball than Rodri, so when Rodri is about to receive, make a conscious effort to disempower him.

The Spaniards want Dani Olmo and Ruiz higher, almost like two 10s, and give Rodri the option to choose which one he has to find. England need to take those options away.

Rodri is probably the best holding midfielder I’ve ever seen – and there have been some great ones

England need to put pressure on Rodri and prevent him from running things like he did with France.

Declan’s big responsibility

The Spanish wingers are top class. If they can cut inside for a shot — as Yamal did spectacularly against France — one of our midfielders, Declan Rice or Kobbie Mainoo, should be close enough to cover.

“We need to fill the space that Williams and Yamal take up quickly, so that they get into traffic. It’s about our guys being disciplined and having a good starting position.

Rice is a brilliant exponent and at the other end Mainoo gave a great defensive performance against the Dutch – and he used the ball well.

England want to avoid getting into transition where Spain are so dangerous and I am sure Southgate will impress the importance of that on our midfielders.

Declan Rice must be constantly alert to smell danger from Spain’s energetic attack

17-year-old Lamine Yamal was a constant threat on the Spanish right flank in the semi-final win over France

Have confidence in the ball

The improvement in England’s performance against the Dutch came from our confidence in receiving and passing the ball in tight spaces. It gave us control of the game.

It started with John Stones stepping forward from the back and Rice and Mainoo in midfield and spreading throughout the team. Foden ran a lot to get the ball and used it wisely.

Now that England have shown that we can really play, we need to keep that courage, get the ball and do the half turn. The temperature will be high, so the side that has the ball will have an advantage.

Phil Foden must advance with the ball in the final of Euro 2024, as he did in the semi-final

Do not switch off at fixed times

Our biggest concern against the Netherlands was defending corners and free kicks, we won very few first balls and that caused us all sorts of problems.

The Dutch are a big team, but Spain are not bad in set pieces either. Alvaro Morata, Rodri and Aymeric Laporte are dangerous. Ruiz is 1.88m and Dani Carvajal scored in the Champions League final with a header.

Players like Aymeric Laporte pose a huge threat in set-piece situations, which England must watch out for

John Stones has a huge task in leading the England defence in a series of set-piece situations

We are tall and experienced enough to handle it, but we need a more aggressive mindset than we showed against the Netherlands, who hit the woodwork and forced Jordan Pickford into a great save. Denzel Dumfries got first touch twice for Bellingham. We can’t afford a repeat against Spain.

Southgate will remind his players of this: it’s all about staying fully focused.

Forward runs without the ball

Spain will play a high line and try to push the game forward. We need to try things that will take them out of their comfort zone, even though it will be hard work, especially on a warm night.

The Spanish defence is not blessed with great pace, so there will be space behind them that Jude Bellingham will need to exploit

The Spanish defence is not blessed with great pace, so there is space behind them to make life uncomfortable. But Saka and Bellingham also need a lot of selfless runs, knowing that you don’t always receive the ball, but that you stretch the field too far and Spain don’t want that.

We are a talented team but we must not forget that the long ball has its advantages and Saka has created goals by making those runs.

When we fell behind the Netherlands, Southgate sent for Ollie Watkins. I am sure the hero of the semi-final will also play a role in the final.

I mentioned Saka and Bellingham because they can do more than Kane and Foden, who offer something different.