Euro 2024

JESUS NAVAS helped end Gareth Southgate’s playing career — and is now part of the squad aiming to call time on his tenure as England manager.A staggering 18 YEARS after Southgate and the La Roja right-back faced off in the Uefa Cup final, they meet in Berlin for a far bigger prize.Gareth Southgate could potentially leave the England job after the Euro 2024 finalCredit: GettySpanish star Jesus Navas played for Sevilla against Southgate’s Boro in the 2006 Uefa Cup FinalCredit: EPAThis time it is for Spain versus England in the Euro 2024 final.As we revealed with some brilliant throwback photos yesterday, back in 2006 Navas’ Sevilla side battered Middlesbrough 4-0 in Eindhoven.And after spells with Crystal Palace and Aston Villa beforehand, that ended up being the final game of Southgate’s playing career.The FA still hope that Southgate will stay in post beyond Euro 2024.READ MORE EURO 2024 NEWSHowever, there is every chance the former Boro boss, 53, could step down and seek a return to club football.Southgate is under contract until December and his future has been the topic of much speculation.But he insisted last night that he is only focussed on ending England’s 58-year wait for silverware.He said: “Emotionally, it would be impossible for me to make a logical decision at the moment on any of that because my sole focus for two years has been winning this tournament.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“The last five or six weeks have been an absolute rollercoaster, so I don’t actually know where I am with anything other than being very focused on preparing the team for this game.“I’m determined to keep leading them in the way I have over the last month.England stars celebrate reaching Euro 2024 final with Wags as Ollie Watkins kisses girlfriend after late winner“I definitely took the job to try and help English football improve.“I know what it would mean, not only to the general public in England, but particularly people involved in English football, from those that develop young players to those that run clubs; every level of the game, really.“We’ve improved the credibility of English football in how it’s perceived around the world but, ultimately, until you win that trophy then there will always be those questions both abroad and at home about what we’ve done.”Navas, still representing his country at 38 in his final tournament, was 20 at the time with Southgate 15 years his senior at 35.You can say it hasn’t been pretty, but England are in the final… and we’re peaking at just the right time, says Jack WilshereAFTER what has been a tough tournament of times, what an opportunity Gareth Southgate and his team will have to end in the best possible way, writes Jack Wilshere.We might like a team that played better football. But it’s a results business.Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and of course Holland would love to be where we are.People will say we’re lucky because we’re on this side of the draw.But we won the group. France didn’t and then ran into Spain.You can say it wasn’t that pretty, but we’re there.Gareth and his coaches won’t have been happy with some of the performances.But I did like the way Gareth and his team have dealt with it.There was no panic coming out of the camp.Everyone gave the same message: ‘We know we can better, but we’re here still.’And on Sunday they will be in Berlin to play Spain.They will probably have to produce two halves of football as good as the first against Holland to beat them.We have improved as the tournament has gone on and that is how you win things.You want to peak in the final.If Gareth can lead England to that major trophy we’ve all been waiting for, it will be the perfect answer to the critics and a brilliant day for us all.Read Jack Wilshere’s England vs Holland verdict in full.Or check out all of SunSport columnist Jack’s Euros 2024 opinions…Navas is not expected to start the final.That is despite him being parachuted in to face Kylian Mbappe in the semi-final following Dani Carvajal’s suspension.And it will not only be Southgate looking for revenge this weekend.His Three Lions assistant Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is also out for redemption.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe was also a started for Boro against Sevilla back in the final.New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca grabbed a brace, with Freddie Kanoute and Luis Fabiano also scoring in the Spanish side’s drubbing.Boro’s 4-0 defeat to Navas’ Sevilla was Southgate’s final game as a playerCredit: GettyEngland vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain. 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LAMINE YAMAL bought homes for his parents and grandmother by the age of 16.The humble Spain star has been a standout performer during their run to the final.Lamine Yamal bought houses for his parents and grandmother by the age of 16Credit: GettyThe Spain winger spends as much time with his grandmother as he can when not playingCredit: facebook / @LamineYamalTeamHis stunning strike against France on Tuesday sparked Spain’s amazing comeback.Yamal is now set to take on England in the final in Berlin on Sunday night.Away from football, the teenager remains humble and has a strong connection with his family.According to Sport, he has bought houses for his mum, dad and grandmother.READ MORE ON EURO 2024The property he purchased for his grandmother is located near where he used to live in the Rocafonda area of Mataro, a town in Catalonia.Yamal spends time with her whenever football allows, with the town just 35 kilometres from Barcelona.He also bought his mum a home nearby, having grown up in the area.Meanwhile, the house he bought his dad is located in Barcelona, where he plays his club football.Most read in Euro 2024Yamal also bought his mum a home in the area he grew up inCredit: GettyThe 16-year-old pays homage to his upbringing with his ‘304’ goal celebrationCredit: .As well as buying his family houses, Yamal also pays homage to his upbringing with his goal celebration.The 16-year-old displays ‘304’ with his hands in a nod to the neighbourhood he is from, which shares the same postal code.Lamine Yamal explains cheeky message he did in Spain v France Euro 2024 match Yamal has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom since making his Barcelona debut aged 15.He has gone on to score seven goals in 51 appearances for the Spanish club and a signed a new deal through to 2026 in September.However, the youngster only started playing 11-a-side football four years ago, but has been in fine form at Euro 2024.Yamal, who was pictured being cradled by Lionel Messi as a baby, has featured in all six of Spain’s matches so far at the tournament.Along with his goal against France, the forward has also provided three assists for his team-mates.Yamal has been supported by his family throughout Euro 2024Credit: GettyHis goal against France booked Spain’s place in the final against EnglandCredit: Getty More

GUILLERMO AMOR says Spain are out for revenge for their Euro 96 exit at the hands of England.At Wembley 28 years ago, the Spanish had two goals wrongly disallowed for offside through Julio Salinas and Kiko.Steve McManaman and Guillermo Amor during the Euro 96 gameCredit: AP:Associated PressAnd they were also left fuming when referee Marc Batta refused to award a clear penalty after Three Lions legend Paul Gascoigne had brought down Alfonso Perez in the box.The hosts weathered the storm and won a penalty shootout to book a semi-final clash against Germany.As fate would have it, current Spain and Manchester City superstar Rodri was born that day — June 22, 1996 — and Barcelona legend Amor feels it may be a good omen for his country tomorrow.The former midfielder, 56, said: “England v Spain at Euro 96 was a great game.READ MORE IN football “We had a great opportunity, played a brilliant game and deserved more! As a team, we all pulled in the same direction.“That defeat against England rankles with us because we could have done something important had we gone through. And I think we could have gone all the way.“Both countries respect each other and I won’t be drawn into saying whether it was an injustice or not, only that what happened can be used as a fuel. And in a final, motivation will come on its own.“Rodri was born that day, which shows life is full of coincidences!Most read in Euro 2024England vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMeet Spain’s Euro 2024 WagsSpain Wags range from teenager sweethearts to recently blossoming love stories.Alice Campello (Alvaro Morata’s wife)Alice Campello is an Italian model and fashion designer and has been married to Alvaro Morata since 2017. The pair has four children together.Sara Botello (Aymeric Laporte’s wife)Sara Botello is a trained dancer, having performed ballet and contemporary dance in shows around Spain. She married Aymeric Laporte in 2023 and the pair have two children together.Tatiana Trouboul (David Raya’s girlfriend)Tatiana Trouboul is the girlfriend of David Raya. Before moving to London with him, she worked in a nightclub. Now she is working as a model.Claudia Rodriguez (Marc Cucurella’s girlfriend)Claudia and Marc met in Barcelona after he messaged her on Instagram. The pair has third children together and have been together since six years.Lola Liberal ( Mikel Merino’s wife)Lola Liberal is a blogger and loves to share loving moments with ex-Newcastle star Mikel Merino. The pair married in January 2024.Laura Cascante (Rodrigo Hernández’s girlfriend)Laura Iglesias is a medical student and is training to become a surgeon. The pair met during university.Laura Abla Schmitt (Dani Olmo’s girlfriend)Laura Abla Schmitt and Dani Olmo made their relationship public on New Year’s Day in 2024. Read more about the Wags supporting Spain at Euro 2024 here“He’s a magnificent footballer who has proven it game after game for Spain and at Manchester City.“He’s always in the right position to receive the ball and always looks to have the best passing option, making the squad tick.Historic Euro 2024 final stadium is home to England’s darkest day“He works so hard, excels at winning the ball back and always puts his body on the line for the team.”Amor was a key player in Johan Cruyff’s famous Barcelona team including Romario, Hristo Stoichkov and Pep Guardiola in the 1990s.The 37-cap Spain star also won the European Cup at Wembley in 1992, and five LaLiga titles. England have progressively got stronger throughout Euro 2024 but Amor is sure that Spain’s name should end up on the trophy tomorrow due to their exciting brand of football.He said: “England have a good team with great players who will give everything to win the title. And they will certainly shoot for the stars.That defeat against England rankles with us because we could have done something important had we gone through. And I think we could have gone all the way.Guillermo Amor“But the way Spain have been playing — they deserve to win the championship. “They have played better throughout the Euros and have tasted only victory so far.“As a team they have also been the most consistent but anything can happen as both sides have what it takes to be champions.”Asked if Spain have more to lose than England, Amor said: “Both teams have pressure because there is something very important at stake.”And he praised Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, who ditched what had become inefficient sideways tiki-taka football in favour of a more direct style of play.He added: “The coach has done a terrific job. READ MORE SUN STORIES”He’s very serious and professional and has created a good atmosphere with his man-management skills.“He always defends his players and you can see in the way they work that they are dedicated.”Amor Guillermo pictured in April 2017Credit: Getty More

ENGLAND’S dramatic semi-final win over the Netherlands was the first time the nation’s long-suffering supporters saw why the Three Lions were one of the favourites for the competition.Now, England face an impressive Spain side who have looked strong throughout the tournament. Gareth Southgate has been left with a fresh tactical conundrum for the final against SpainCredit: AlamyOllie Watkins sent England through with his last gasp winner against the NetherlandsCredit: RexBut now Southgate must decide whether to drop skipper Harry Kane after a largely anonymous performanceCredit: GettyIn their semi-final against France the Spanish fell behind to an early header from Randal Kolo-Muani before their quality started shining through as they comfortably won to secure their place in Berlin. There will, of course, be question marks for Southgate and his coaching staff coming into this match.Despite Southgate being relatively consistent to this stage in terms of his team selection, we may well be reaching the point now where he will make one of two important changes to the team.There are three important tactical questions coming into the final this coming weekend.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIs it time for Ollie Watkins to start in attack?Watkins was the semi-final hero, but could he be given the nod to start v Spain?Credit: RexFrom the run, the touch, and then the shot that nestled just inside the corner of the Dutch goal, the winning goal that Ollie Watkins scored to send England to the final of the tournament was a masterclass in forward play. Crucially, for England, the goal came from an incisive run from the Aston Villa player to give his team-mate an option to pass to. The touch and the finish was simply the icing on the cake. So far in this tournament Harry Kane has struggled to create the same kind of impact and his movement, or relative lack of movement, when leading the line has been problematic for the English.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat is not to say, of course, that Kane has become a bad player overnight.The Bayern Munich striker has led the line effectively for England for years. Meet Euro 2024 final ref who SLAPPED HaalandHowever his tendency to come back towards the ball as opposed to making runs behind that can stretch the opposition have slowed the English attack down so far in this tournament.Often it is players making runs from the midfield who attack the space, rather than England’s main marksman Kane.Bellingham is pushing high in possession but it is Foden who makes the most aggressive forward run as Kane holds his deeper position and does not move to attack the spaceAgainst Spain, who are the most technically gifted and possession-dominant team in the competition, it will be extremely important for England to be effective when it comes to stretching the play.In particular they must not allow the Spanish to push up and operate as a compact block in possession. This means that they need their striker to push on to the last defender for the Spanish and to threaten the space behind the defensive line with movement and work rate.This could mean that Southgate would be better to go with Watkins as the option to lead the line. The Villa striker is more athletic and mobile than Kane at this stage of his career.Watkins has the capacity to really make consistent runs behind that will force the Spanish to defend deeper than they will want to.The Villa striker makes just the type of runs and movement that could be the key to unlocking the Spanish defence.There is no doubt that dropping Kane, as the captain of the team, would be a huge decision from Southgate. Here, Watkins’ positioning makes him ready to make a run to go beyond the defensive line and to attack space behindHe is England’s all-time record goalscorer – with 66 goals in 97 appearances for his country.Yet I believe that dropping Kane would give England the best chance to win the tournament.Benching Kane and opting for match-winner Watkins would give England a new line of attackAnd most importantly stretch the Spanish defence to create space for the playmakers like Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka in midfield.It is time to bring Luke Shaw in?Southgate has a decision to make on Luke Shaw’s playing timeCredit: RexThe left-back position, or left wing-back as it may be now, has been a highly contentious issue for Southgate since the start of the tournament. Having selected only one left-sided defender in the squad in Luke Shaw the fact that the Man United player has barely been fit enough to feature has caused huge issues for England. Over the last two matches, however, we have seen Shaw at least come off the bench and as soon as he is on the pitch, as a natural left-footed player, England have immediately looked more balanced.To this point we have seen Southgate choose to use the Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier on the left-side.This is the kind of attacking movements that we can expect to see from Shaw. With Bellingham in possession Shaw looks to make an aggressive run to run behind the defensive lineTrippier is a superb full-back with obvious quality both in the attacking and defensive phases of play. As a right-footed player though he has a clear tendency to want to take a touch inside and pass back across the pitch when he is in possession on the left. This tendency has seen England look extremely passive on the left-side of their attack.Having a natural left-footed player as the left-sided wing-back in this new system that Southgate has started to use will mean that Spain cannot effectively narrow off the field and it will force them to defend the whole pitch. With Trippier passing and playing passively and back inside or even backwards this will not be the case with a left-footed player on that side.The same extends to situations where the left-sided fullback gets opportunities to cross the ball and get the ball into the final third or the penalty area. Shaw receives a long crossfield pass from the far side deep in the Dutch half. He takes a single touch to steady himself and then fires a low cross into the box with his left footHaving a player who is naturally left-footed receiving the ball on that side of the pitch means that the cross can come quickly and with quality. When a right-footed player receives the ball on this side there is a clear tendency for them to come back onto their right-foot and to cross from a deeper angle.If ever there was a time for Southgate to take the chance on Shaw’s fitness it will be coming into the final this weekend.England have to shut down the Spanish midfieldPreventing Rodri from dictating play will be a key mission for EnglandCredit: GettyThe technical quality of this Spain side spreads through their entire squad but their midfield unit takes things to another level. Despite losing Barcelona midfielder Pedri to injury during the tournament, we have seen their midfield barely miss a beat between Rodri, as the deepest midfielder, and Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo as the more advanced midfielders.England will, of course, be fully aware of the threat of Rodri given that they come up against him during the Premier League season with Manchester City.But this does not mean that he is easy to deal with. Here, we see Rodri picking up possession in transition and driving forward to attack the spacePart of the threat from the Spanish midfield, however, is that they all have complimentary profiles that allow them to work as a unit.The way they space the pitch with wingers staying outside and then midfielders driving forward to occupy and attack space is also a problem for opposition defenders. While Spain have been effective in moments of transition as they attack quickly and into space they are more dangerous if you let them dominate the game and control possession of the ball. In these situations, when they can squeeze the pitch and play higher.Dani Olmo is positioned in a pocket of space just outside the area and Spain’s accuracy to find players allows them to exploit spaceThe fact that the Spanish midfielders can all receive and play quickly in tight spaces and on minimal touches makes them exceptionally dangerous.England will have to find a way to limit the space that Spain have to play in and to prevent the midfield from easily playing through them.ConclusionFor England to have reached this stage of the tournament is no mean feat and there can be no doubt that they have improved significantly as the tournament has gone on. READ MORE SUN STORIESThis will be their biggest test yet though as Spain have consistently been the most impressive side in Germany.The outcome could hinge on whether Southgate is brave enough to drop his captain Kane and pick match-winner Watkins instead.England vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain. 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JOSE ENRIQUE expects Spain to beat England comfortably in tomorrow’s Euro 2024 final.The former Newcastle United and Liverpool defender reckons Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have little chance of continental success in Berlin.Jose Enrique expects Spain to beat England comfortably in tomorrow’s Euro 2024 finalCredit: ReutersEnrique, 38, told Grosvenor Sport: “I think Spain are going to beat England in the Euros final – and I think they will win easily in the end.“I’d have to say that Spain will win 3-0. Spain are going to control the game.”Enrique, who won a League Cup with Liverpool in 2012, feels it would be the wrong tactic for England to be defensive against the best attacking unit at the tournament.The former Spain international continued: “I expect Gareth Southgate to set his team up in the same way they have all summer and sit back.READ MORE IN football “Much like they did against Holland in the semi-finals.“However, when England conceded the early goal they looked a completely different team, that’s when they then started to push and threaten more.“If Spain don’t score early then I can see England sitting back much like they have been doing for most of the tournament.“However, this is not going to work because if England sit back against Spain, then they will really struggle against what I believe is the toughest attacking outfit they’ve faced yet.Most read in Euro 2024England vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSGareth Southgate should do the unthinkable and drop Harry KaneSunSport’s Dave Kidd explains why England captain should not start Netherlands clash.Gareth Southgate built this era of consistent English success on ruthlessness.Now can the England manager make the boldest selection call of all by benching his captain and all-time record goalscorer Harry Kane for Wednesday’s Euros semi-final against Holland?Because Kane needs a rest and England need a different option at centre-forward.Southgate started his reign  by thinking the unthinkable and binning off his captain and all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney.Could he now do the same, temporarily, with Kane?Southgate may be loyal to a fault but even he  admitted his skipper was not “flowing” after Saturday’s shootout triumph over Switzerland.  The Three Lions chief replaced a struggling Kane with Ivan Toney in extra-time.Few of Europe’s leading stars  are peaking here and many are running on fumes. Yet even in this environment, Kane sticks out as being absolutely cream-crackered.During Saturday’s game, England needed an outlet as the Swiss pinned them back before Breel Embolo’s opener but Kane didn’t have the legs to provide it.He is not winning enough aerial duels, has been way off target with a couple of headed chances and against Switzerland his touch count was again worryingly low, just 26.Ideally, Kane would be honest enough to admit he is struggling.Yet all great goalscorers need  egos — a selfish streak is part of the job spec. And for a player who has, infamously, never won a trophy to offer himself up for a rest at the semi-final stage is almost unthinkable.But England needn’t rely on Kane to such an extent that they have to play him when half-fit.Southgate knows his history and made a point of telling his squad about 1966 and how England’s goalscoring talisman, Jimmy Greaves, was injured in the final group match and replaced by Geoff Hurst.Fifty-eight years later, another legendary Tottenham goalscorer is struggling for fitness.  Could Toney, or even Ollie Watkins, become the Hurst of 2024?Read Dave Kidd’s full column here“The likes of Lamine Yamal will really cause the England backline trouble if they’re too deep.“If both teams don’t sit back and play too cautiously and instead really attack with their fluid front-lines, then this has the potential to be a really great game.Watch Jude Bellingham’s classy reaction to heartbroken Holland stars after England’s incredible last-gasp Euro 2024 win “If you look at the talent on both sides, England probably has even more talented players than Spain.“However, given the performances across the whole tournament you would have to say Spain are the better team.”Enrique is backing Spain to hammer EnglandCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More