SPAIN VS ENGLAND FORM GUIDE: Which Spaniard has their bounce back? Whose selflessness opens things up for his team-mates? And who is in SENSATIONAL form for England?
Spain enters the 2024 Euro 2024 final as favourites against England, having won all six of their matches so far.
England should not be underestimated though, they are also unbeaten and have the quality to cause problems on their day.
With one or two minor changes, both managers have left the teams largely unchanged throughout the tournament and that is expected to continue on Sunday evening.
The competition will feature stars such as Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Nico Williams and Bukayo Saka, to name a few.
But how have the stars who have played for their teams so far fared? Mail Sport’s Matt Barlow and Craig Hope rank the players’ form ahead of the match in Berlin.
Spain are in excellent form heading into the Euro 2024 finals, having won all six matches so far
England have meanwhile won just two of their six matches at the tournament inside 90 minutes
Gareth Southgate’s team go into Sunday’s final as underdogs but remain hopeful
SPAIN
Goalkeeper
A SIMON – 7
Steady, calming presence in goal. Straightforward style from the prolific Bilbao school of goalkeepers. Conceded three goals in five games. Great penalty shootout. Saved one in the opening game against Croatia.
DEFENDERS
DANI CARVAJAL – 6.5
Experienced Real Madrid full-back is a solid partner for Lamine Yamal on the right flank. Strong in defence and picks moments to join the attack. Scored against Croatia. Red card against Germany in the quarter-finals, which kept him out of the semi-final against France.
ROBIN DE NORMAND – 6.5
Forged a solid defensive partnership in France with Laporte. Real Sociedad’s centre-back is good in the air, reliable and uncomplicated. Also missed the semi-final against France through suspension. Expected return.
AYMERIC LAPORTE – 7
Quickly up to speed after being left out of the opener due to concerns over his fitness levels following the season in Saudi Arabia. Experienced, reads the game and is a threat to set pieces.
MARC CUCURELLA – 7.5
Revived and absolutely radiant after two difficult years at Chelsea. Quick on the ground and tenacious in the tackle. A balanced full-back. Sometimes gets forward to support Nico Williams. The bounce is back.
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has been in impressive form for Spain at Euro 2024
MIDFIELDERS
RODRI-9
Imperious at the heart of this team. Breaks up the game expertly and rarely gives the ball away. Great vision and range of the pass. Covered almost 63 km in just under eight hours of football. Scored against Georgia.
FABIAN RUIZ-8
Shined against Croatia, creating the first and scoring the second. PSG midfielder combines impressive work ethic with poise and vision on the ball. Box to box and always looking for a pass forward. Threatens a goal from the edge of the box. Two goals in tournament.
LAMINE YAMAL – 8.5
Boy wonder. The rising star of world football has taken this tournament in his elegant stride. Unfazed by the occasion. Speed and sublime talent on the right wing with a staff of a left foot and temperament beyond his 17 years. Three assists and scored a worldie against France.
Manchester City star Rodri is the heart of the Spanish team and is in excellent form
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal (left) and Nico Williams (right) shone on the wings for Spain
DANI OLMO – 7.5
Fears that Spain would lose rhythm and pace when Pedri was injured have been dispelled by Olmo. He may not have the same effortless technique, but he has a knack for influencing games and scoring goals. Three in 341 minutes so far, including the winner in the semi-final.
NICO WILLIAMS – 7.5
Electric pass on the left with a top speed of 35.8 km/h at these ECs. Stood on the podium against Italy. Sometimes overshadowed by Yamal, but no less dangerous when Spain broke out. Scored against Georgia.
ATTACKER
ALVARO MORATA – 6.5
Captain divides fans but is adored by De la Fuente for selfless running that creates space for others, strong holding play and off-field leadership. Aerial power brings another dimension. Scored against Croatia.
TOTAL: 81.5/110
Alvaro Morata divides opinion, but runs selflessly and shows leadership off the pitch
ENGLAND
GOALKEEPER
JORDAN PICKFORD – 7
He is consistent, reliable and England’s most successful keeper since Gordon Banks. A win tonight would see him equal the England legend, especially if he were to repeat his penalty shootout exploits from the quarter-final.
DEFENDERS
KYLE WALKER – 5.5
Remains a concern at centre-back, where he doesn’t sense the danger that a natural in that position might, as evidenced by Breel Embolo’s goal when he stole Walker’s shoulder in the quarter-final. Far from his best here.
JOHN STONES – 6.5
Improved as the tournament progressed, understandably given his shorter playing time at Manchester City last season. Semi-final was his best yet, when he stepped into midfield and got the ball.
MARC GUEHI-7
Seized his chance. One or two tricky moments, but has generally recovered. Partnership with Stones was at its best in the semi-final, and will need to be again here, especially if the Spanish wingers cut inside as they like to do.
Jordan Pickford has been consistent and reliable for England and could level the playing field with Gordon Banks
Bukayo Saka started the tournament slowly but was sensational in the last two games
WINGS
BUKAYO SAKA – 8
Started the tournament slowly but was sensational in the last two games. Saved England in the quarter finals and set the tone in the semi finals by daring to dribble and make things happen. In this form England’s biggest attacking threat.
KIERAN TRIPPIER – 6.5
Has let the team down by playing on the left despite having one of the best right boots in the Premier League. Deserves sympathy and praise for the role he has played. Has let no one down.
MIDFIELDERS
KOBBIE MAINOO – 8
With Saka, England’s most in-form player. His fearless sense of adventure in the semi-final was a joy to watch and inspired others. At 19, that’s remarkable. England’s passage to the final might have been smoother if he had played from the start.
DECLAN RICE – 6.5
Best game was in the semi-final, when he recovered from an early mistake that led to the Dutch goal and showed a performance of power and authority. Against Rodri he will have to be better again tonight, but he has a huge game in him, you can feel it.
PHIL FODEN – 6.5
Frustrated and subdued, stuck on the left in the early games and, even when moved centrally against Switzerland, he failed to take his chance. But for an hour or so against the Netherlands he was the Foden we know, twisting and turning and coming close to scoring three times.
Harry Kane not at his best in Germany, but can still win the Golden Boot
JUDE BELLINGHAM – 6.5
Two brilliant goals and England wouldn’t be here without him, but his general play remains below his best. Sometimes feels out of the team, does his own thing. But don’t bet on him being the match winner here.
ATTACKER
HARRY KANE-6
Played well his whole career and won nothing, so how about not playing so well and winning the Euro and the Golden Boot? A metre off the pace, if not more, the whole tournament. Still has three goals and you wouldn’t be surprised if he comes out a hero in this final.
TOTAL: 74/110