After a month of competitive action, the European Championships will be reaching its conclusion when Spain takes on England tonight. Both teams have had contrasting roads to the finals with Spain showing dominance in pretty much every game they played, unlike England that have scrapped and clawed their way through the scruff of their neck.
Both nations are stacked with contingent of amazing talent, but Spain’s wingers, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, have been live wires in the tournament, showing their attacking prowess, a couple of goals and loads of creativity. With the midfield supporting cast of Rodrigo, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo, Spain has a plethora of talent that have enough in the tank to see out their opposition in a variety of ways. Hell, all three players have contributed with a goal or two in this tournament. Spain’s weakest point, in my honest opinion, has been their center forward position. Alvaro Morata hasn’t lit up any fireworks, and his substitute replacement, Mikel Oyarzabal, hasn’t been any better.
England, on the other hand, has their own contingent of amazing talent at their disposal, but many of them have not come to the party in this tournament. England skipper, Harry Kane, is a far cry from the dominant forward we’ve always known him to be, and coming into the tournament with 44 goals for Bayern Munich, a lot was expected from him, and in all honesty, he has not delivered. He has scored two goals so far, but more has been expected.
England has had to rely on some individual feats of brilliance to get them across the line in different games. Jude Bellingham scored the solitary goal against Serbia with a thumping header and unleashed an amazing overhead kick to send the game against Slovakia into extra time. When the chips were down against Switzerland, Bukayo Saka stepped up with a picture perfect drive to Yann Sommer’s bottom corner. In the semifinals, we looked like we set for more extra time, Ollie Watkins scored a low drive to break Dutch hearts.
The teams pretty much pick themselves, and luckily, both sides have been quite fortunate with injuries. Unai Simon will retain his place in goal, while the backline should consist of Dani Carvajal, returning from suspension, Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte and Nacho Fernandez. Rodri, Olmo and Ruiz will be the midfield triumvirate, while Yamal and Williams will flank Morata. England will field their back three formation that they reverted to and maintained, with Jordon Pickford in goal, while the likes of Marc Guehi, John Stones and Kyle Walker will be the defensive rearguard. Saka and Luke Shaw will serve as wing backs, Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo will have their work cut out in midfield, while Phil Foden and Bellingham will play behind Kane.
As a neutral, I’m looking forward to the action and I’m sure we are set for an enjoyable match.
Sayonara.
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