As Spain prepares to face off against England in the European Championship final in Berlin, coach Luis de la Fuente is not taking their opponents lightly. Despite acknowledging that Spain has performed better in the tournament so far, De la Fuente warns of the threat that England poses. England’s late comeback against the Netherlands, with Ollie Watkins scoring the winning goal, proves that they are a formidable opponent.
Spain and England have had vastly different runs to the final. Spain has won all six of their matches, including victories against strong teams like Croatia, Italy, and France. On the other hand, England has been criticized for their performances in the group stage, with their victory against the Netherlands only their second inside 90 minutes at the finals. Despite this, Spain recognizes that England has quality players who can make an impact at any moment.
De la Fuente acknowledges that England is a powerful side with experienced players both at the national team and club level. The upcoming final will be a tough challenge for Spain, but they are looking forward to the opportunity to continue growing as a team. While Spain may have offered a better version of themselves in the tournament so far, De la Fuente understands that in a one-off game, anything can happen.
Despite the doubts surrounding England’s performances, players like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka have made key contributions. Kane is currently tied for the Golden Boot race with three goals. It will be the first time since Euro 1996 that Spain and England face off in a major tournament, with the last meeting in 2018 resulting in a 3-2 victory for England in the UEFA Nations League.
As Spain prepares for the final, they have no new fitness issues to worry about. Captain Álvaro Morata is expected to be fit to lead the line despite a scare during the celebrations after the France win. Defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand will return from suspension for the final, but Pedri and Ayoze Pérez remain sidelined with injuries.
While Spain may have had a stronger showing in the tournament so far, they are well aware of the threat that England poses in the final. Both teams have quality players and the outcome of the match is unpredictable. Spain is eager to continue their growth as a team and will be looking to put on a strong performance in the final showdown against England.