Euro 2024: Home or Casa: Where is the cup coming?

This Euro 2024, has been a fantastic treat for the fans — 114 goals have been scored so far with underdogs Slovenia reaching the round of 16 for the first time. The tournament saw many great matches like Germany’s 5-1 thumping victory over Scotland and also a few upsets as Georgian youngsters defeated heavyweight Portugal in the group stage.

CR7 alias Cristiano Ronaldo featured in his sixth Euro edition while Spain’s Lamine Yamal became the youngest scorer at just 16 years of age.

Like every edition, Euro 2024 too gave us many moments of joy and spirit to take in and remember. Now as we roll on to the final game of the tournament, let us analyse both teams and figure out where the World Cup is finally going.

Spain: Favourites as always

Most experts and fans are rooting for Spain and one wouldn’t argue with them either. Spain has been the best-performing side in the tournament. Arriving with six straight wins to the final, their statistics are incredible too.

La Roja (Spanish national team) finished the group stage without conceding a single goal. Such is the incredible form of their goalkeeper Unai Simon, who has conceded just three goals so far.

And when it comes to ball possession, no one comes even close. Spain’s outfield players have a superb work rate with Espana’s tally of 255 ball recoveries being the highest in the tournament.

Defenders Dani Carvajal and Nacho are no strangers to the pressure of a final, having played several on the big stage with Real Madrid. Marc Cucurella had a tough game against France but his performance so far has galvanized him into a big-match player as well.

Rodri and Fabian Ruiz need no introduction. The midfield maestros will look to rotate the ball and choke England into frustration after an early lead.

And when it comes to attack, there is no better team than Spain. The Reds have scored in every game they have played so far. Big score lines against Croatia and Georgia, followed by crucial goals against Germany and France demonstrate their attacking sharpness.

Yamal and Nico Williams, not feeling the immensity of the pressure thanks to their teenage spirit, look forward to a dream season ending with the Henry Delaunay Cup (the official name of the Euro Cup) in their hands. 

But Olmo and especially captain Alvaro Morata will have to outplay themselves as seniors. While Olmo is having the form of his life this Euros, Morata must look up to find the net as he did against Croatia in Spain’s opening game.

Three Lions will go for the grand upset

England on the other hand have for the first time reached the final of a tournament where they are not the hosts. While the Three Lions have not displayed the best of forms in the group stage, they have won after trailing behind in their past three knockout games.

The Reds certainly have a better team but let us not forget that Gareth Southgate loves to upset the favourites.

Remember how England stunned everyone at the Euro 2020 final against Italy? Luke Shaw scored within 2 minutes of the final as the Whites combined in such a smooth transition, that the famous Italian defence was left wondering on what struck them.

Goalkeeper Jordon Pickford is one of the key performers behind this English resurgence. Penalties and England were quite a toxic couple before. Even their golden generation consisting of the likes of a prime Beckham, Lampard, Owen and Gerrard faltered at Euro 2004 to make it past the quarters. But it is thanks to Pickford’s superb performance in the shootout against Switzerland that England could finally break free of their quarter-final shootout jinx.

Kyle Walker’s performance at ‘Man City’ makes him the strong backbone of the team in defence. Walker will surely hold the key to containing his clubmate Rodri in the final. Trippier will have to play deep to block Olmo from bursting in through the gaps and Gomez and Stones must quicken their pace to contain youngsters Yamal and Nico Williams from doing the dangers through the wings.

Declan Rice has had a good tournament overall and Kobbie Mainoo was fabulous against the Dutch in the semis. This midfield duo will be critical in deciding whether the cup will come home finally. It will be their passes that must catch the Spanish on the counter and pick up English attackers on the move.

Captain Harry Kane is a real threat in front of the goal, against any opponent. Be it his scoring ability or penalty track record, the captain is leading by example. Jude Bellingham saved England’s campaign once with a last moment stunner against Slovakia. His nation needs him the more than ever in the final. The Real Madrid star is well aware of the Spanish style of play and has the potential to take England all the way. The final will be his big stage, will the world see a Bellingham special?

Electric Phil Foden, who is quicker than the Spanish wingers, must go for goal himself as Kane and Bellingham will be marked heavily throughout the ninety. Like his effortless dribble, dancing seamlessly past Van Dijk in the semis, Foden will have to repeat the feat against Carvajal and company at Berlin.

Spain might boast of having Yamal but coach Gareth Southgate too has a few trump cards up his sleeve. Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, who has matured tremendously since the Euro 2020 final penalty miss, has been lethal for his nation throughout the past three years. Saka will look to link up with Kane and Foden to win a final against popular opinion and earn his yester redemption.

And finally, second-half substitutes Palmer and Watkins, and if needed Luke Shaw will be eager to go for the kill this Sunday.

The match is still open! And the final will give both the teams enough chances to move ahead. Casa or Home, the Euro Cup will come to our hearts with much joy. Ciao and good luck!

Catch the final match: Spain vs England on 15 July 12:30 am IST