The Euro 2024 final is now set with Spain facing England in Berlin on Sunday night after two thrilling final-four encounters.
La Roja, who have been most watchers’ standout team in Germany so far this summer, came from behind to dump Kylian Mbappe and France out of the tournament, while the Three Lions made their second Euros final in succession thanks to an instantly iconic winner from substitute Ollie Watkins.
24 teams dreamt of glory when proceedings first got underway in mid June but now only two nations remain for the showdown at the Olympiastadion. But who will come out on top?
At the start of Euro 2024, England were picked out as the favourites to win the tournament, being given a 19.9% chance by statisticians Opta. Their performances in Germany have been pretty stodgy but Gareth Southgate’s side have vindicated the pre-competition suggestion that they have what it takes to go all the way.
That percentage shrunk by a smidge to 19.12% after the group stage, which was still the highest of any nation that qualified for the knockout stage.
Spain were behind on 15.41%, with defeated quarter-finalists Germany rated as the second favourites on 16.09%, but things have changed ahead of the final on Sunday.
Opta are now backing Luis de la Fuente’s Spaniards to beat England in Berlin, handing La Roja a 60.38% chance of lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy. They have won every game at Euro 2024 so far, keeping clean sheets in all three of their group stage matches against Croatia, Italy and Albania.
Spain then overwhelmed Georgia 4-1 in the last 16 despite falling a goal behind and further established their credentials with victories over continental giants Germany and France in the quarter and semi-finals respectively.
England, meanwhile, are still arguably yet to hit top gear despite reaching the tournament showpiece. A scrappy 1-0 win over Serbia kick-started their campaign but draws with Denmark and Slovenia saw the Three Lions attract significant criticism, despite that being enough to top Group C.
Southgate’s squad were on the brink of elimination to lowly Slovakia before Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick and Harry Kane’s extra-time header salvaged a 2-1 victory. Switzerland took them to penalties but England went five from five as Cole Palmer, Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all converted from the spot, meaning Jordan Pickford’s save from Manuel Akanji was enough…
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