England will need to be “tactically perfect” to secure victory against Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, according to manager Gareth Southgate.
The English men’s team secured their first major final appearance on foreign soil with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the semi-final on Wednesday.
This marks the third time in the last four major tournaments that Southgate has led England to the semi-final stage, either in the Euros or the World Cup.
Southgate acknowledged that Spain, who have won the Euros three times, are the “favourites” for the final, as England aims for their first Euros title.
“They would be rightly favourites for what they have done this tournament. They have been the best team,” Southgate stated.
“They have got a day longer and in the past three finals, maybe more, it has been quite significant, so we have got to get our recovery spot on.
“Tactically we will have to be perfect as they are such a good side. But, you know, we are here.”
England Have ‘Unfinished Business’
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice mentioned that the defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final will serve as motivation for Sunday’s match.
Italy triumphed over England 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes at Wembley.
“Seeing Italy lift that trophy will haunt me forever,” said Rice.
“We are now presented with another opportunity where we can write our own history but we are up against another top side who we have to massively respect.
“Hopefully now we can do it. Not only for each other but also for the manager. I think he deserves it.”
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer emphasized the potential impact of winning in Berlin, expressing the team’s determination to “finish the job.”
Palmer, who assisted Ollie Watkins’ last-minute winner in the semi-final, described the team’s current morale.
“Everyone’s buzzing,” Palmer shared on the England YouTube channel.
“Last night on the bus, tunes were on, [in the] changing room, everyone was just enjoying it.
“But obviously it’s a short turnaround and it’s a massive, massive game to change our lives, our family’s lives, and to make everyone proud. That’s what we’re trying to do.
“I think if you’ve got to this final then you have to hopefully finish the job. It’s all good getting to the final, and you’ve got to enjoy it because you don’t get many moments to enjoy. But, no, everyone just wants to win so bad.”
Southgate’s squad has progressed to their second consecutive Euros final after a slow start to the tournament.
Palmer, who was part of the England Under-21 team that won the European Championship in 2023, noted the team’s improved performance.
“In the first few games, we didn’t play the best that we could and everyone knew that,” Palmer added.
“But now I think as the tournament’s gone on, especially yesterday, I think we had our best game in the tournament, and that’s what you want going into the later stages.
“It’s huge. We played them last year in the Under-21s final, England versus Spain. Even that was a massive game, so I can’t imagine this one.”
