Euro 2024

GARETH SOUTHGATE will come face-to-face again with a Spanish star who left him heartbroken in his final ever game as a player on Sunday.The England boss is gearing up to lead out our heroic Three Lions against Spain in the Euro 2024 final.Jesus Navas pictured in action against Gareth Southgate in the 2006 Uefa Cup FinalCredit: GettySouthgate is preparing to lead out the Three Lions against Spain on SundayCredit: RexThe 38-year-old Navas is part of the Spanish squad looking to down EnglandCredit: RexNavas helped Sevilla to thrash Southgate and Boro 4-0 in the latter’s final ever gameCredit: GettyHis team booked their spot in the Berlin showpiece with a 2-1 vicyory over Holland on Wednesday.Super-sub Ollie Watkins scored the 90th-minute winner in what many believe was the country’s greatest sporting moment for generations.Southgate has faced plenty of criticism throughout England’s journey to the final.But he silenced his critics as he became the first England boss to lead them to two major finals, having also reached the 2018 World Cup semi-final.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Southgate, who the FA want him to remain in the job, will secure the first men’s major title in 58 years with a triumph over Spain – but he will have to overcome a former foe on the pitch to do so.That man is none other than Jesus Navas, the 38-year-old winger who previously starred for Manchester City.He spent four years at the Etihad from 2013 after arriving from his boyhood club Sevilla, and that is where he is still starring now after he returned to them in 2017.Seven years before his move to the Cityzens, he helped the LaLiga side to Uefa Cup glory.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd they beat none other than Middlesbrough 4-0 in the final – who were captained by then 35-year-old Southgate.In the build-up to Sunday’s reunion, which is 18 years after the first meeting, several throwback pictures have been shared on social media of Navas, who was only 20, in action against Southgate.England gets ready for almighty Euro 2024 final party with fans set to spend £800MILLION on beer and pizzaAnd nostalgic supporters were quick to jump into the comment section.One wrote: “How time passes so quickly!”Another wrote: “Southgate will get revenge of that final loss in 2024.”“How the hell Southgate is coaching & Navas still playing,” said another confused fan.While a fourth, a confident Spaniard, declared: “Same result for this final too, easy.”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…That night was the final game of Southgate’s playing career, and that summer he replaced Steve McClaren as Boro boss when he departed for England.READ MORE SUN STORIESNow Southgate won’t be the only member of his coaching staff gunning for revenge against Navas.Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink, a coach in the England set-up, started up front for Boro back on that evening in Eindhoven, Holland.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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ENGLAND fans have hailed Kobbie Mainoo after spotting his brilliant piece of movement during the Three Lions’ semi-final win over Holland.Manchester United star Mainoo, 19, was sensational for Gareth Southgate’s men on Wednesday night, controlling the midfield throughout the game.England fans loved Kobbie Mainoo’s performance against NetherlandsCredit: AlamyMainoo brilliantly created space for himself with a dummy run in the first halfThe movement sent midfielder Joey Veerman running in the wrong directionThe clever decision created space for Mainoo to receive the ball and look forwardHe has made the position his own since starting against Slovakia in the last 16 after England had tried Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher in the role.And there was one moment in the clash with the Dutch that left fans in awe of the teenage prodigy.Netherlands midfielder Joey Veerman was tightly marking Mainoo in the first half when England were in possession.But the Man Utd man quickly created a huge amount of space by dummying to run in behind, before he came short.READ MORE ON ENGLANDAnticipating a run beyond him, PSV’s Veerman sprinted the wrong way and Mainoo was left with the time to receive the ball and assess his options.The clip went viral on social media with 200,000 viewing the short video.And the overwhelming response was one of admiration for Mainoo.One person said: “Veerman simply runs back to Eindhoven 😂. If he is smart he will stay at PSV for a few more years.”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSKobbie Mainoo: From work experience kid to England hero… and latest generational talentBy Charlie WyettAND we all thought England had just the one generational talent.Kobbie Mainoo was effectively brought to Germany as a work experience kid but has emerged as the key kid behind this country’s attempt to rewrite history.After just five senior starts, England’s new boy wonder will now have a teenage tear-up against Spain’s Lamine Yamal in the Euro 2024 final.Last night, he did not merely become England’s youngest ever player to feature in a semi-final of a major tournament, aged 19 years and 82 days.Here, he took this semi-final by the scruff of the neck, delivered a performance which was a joy to watch, particularly in the first half, and now England are in their first final on foreign soil.If Jude Bellingham thought he was certain to be England’s main posterboy over the next decade, he has someone else who has now emerged in his rear-view mirror within just a few weeks.To bag an FA Cup winners’ medal at the age of 19 was impressive. To then win Euro 2024 a couple of months later would be extraordinary.As we saw with Manchester United, Mainoo has now fitted seamlessly into the team and provided a perfect mix of both style and substance.Give it a couple of years, and you can only imagine how good this lad is going to be.For much of this tournament, the focus has been on the disappointing form of Harry Kane, Bellingham and Phil Foden.So Mainoo, to a degree, had almost been off the radar. But against the Dutch, in tight, congested spaces, he is a class apart.When he was put under pressure, remained cool, navigated his way out of difficult situations and drove forward.Despite what was at stake, Mainoo once again looked extraordinarily composed and was England’s best player in the first half. He won possession, he rode tackles and he drove forward like an old master.He nearly delivered an assist at 1-1 with some brilliant play. He received the ball from Foden, turned and drove forward before returning the ball to his team-mate but the shot was hacked off the line by Denzel Dumfries.Mainoo delivered a terrific block to snuff out some serious danger in a lightning-quick Dutch counter attack.In the second half, he had less space in midfield but nevertheless still had bags of energy and kept his discipline positionally – and then he let subs Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins deliver the business.It is still mind-boggling that Mainoo is now heading to Berlin on Sunday, when you consider Mainoo only made his United debut against Charlton in the Carabao Cup in January 2023. His first Premier League start was just eight months ago.Yet it was his dazzling midfield form in an otherwise dysfunctional United team which earned him his first cap as a substitute against Brazil in March. He was then Man of the Match in a ridiculously-good performance in the 2-2 draw with Belgium.Mainoo’s form dipped in the last few weeks of the season. It was probably because he was knackered carrying some of his team-mates. But he then saved them again in the FA Cup final against Manchester City with a Man of the Match performance in a 2-1 win.A bit like Adam Wharton, he was part of England’s 26-man squad to soak up the experience, to learn what it is like to feature in a major tournament and maybe, if needed, to have a few cameo roles off the bench.And the fact he was effectively Southgate’s third-choice to partner Declan Rice here in Germany tells you exactly where he stood in a squad of 26.The Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield failed in the two opening games against Serbia and Denmark. Conor Gallagher – despite some bright performances as a sub in those games – really struggled in his start against Slovenia.Apart from a strong appearance as a substitute by Palmer, Mainoo’s performance against Slovakia was the only bright spot in a dismal and extremely fortunate win over Slovakia in the last 16.There was always a worry about Mainoo’s movement when England do not have possession but that will come with experience, like it would for any other central midfielder.Yet Mainoo has solved the problem for Southgate and now England can continue to dream big. And it is totally unthinkable from where you consider how they played in the group stages when they stunk out Germany.In Sunday’s final, England’s experienced players will be able to draw on the pain of both the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.For Mainoo, this will be a completely new experience but do not expect him to wilt. He’ll absolutely love it.Another added: “Mainoo sent Veerman back to PSV Eindhoven.”A third replied: “Played them off the park 😭😭😭.”England stars celebrate reaching Euro 2024 final with Wags as Ollie Watkins kisses girlfriend after late winnerMainoo was one of England’s standout players in the semi-finalWhile a fourth responded: “Send him to bring some beer.”And a fifth said: “What a play, mastermind 🔥🔥.”England ratings vs HollandENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.Jordan Pickford: 7Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.Kyle Walker: 7Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.John Stones: 7Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.Marc Guehi: 6Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.Bukayo Saka: 7Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.Declan Rice: 6Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.Kobbie Mainoo: 8Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.Kieran Trippier: 6We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.Phil Foden: 7The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.Jude Bellingham: 5Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.Harry Kane: 6Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.SUBSLuke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.Gareth Southgate: 8His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.  More

ALAN SHEARER has had his say on England’s team selection for the Euro 2024 final this Sunday.The Three Lions will face Spain in Berlin this weekend as they look to go one step further than their 2021 heartbreak and lift the trophy in Germany.Alan Shearer has had his say on England’s team selection for SundayCredit: GettyGareth Southgate has plenty of decisions to make for the finalCredit: RexWith Gareth Southgate tinkering with his formation and his starting 11 throughout the tournament, Shearer has given his thoughts on how England should set up for the nerve-racking clash.The 63-time England international has explained that he would make just one personnel change to face the Spaniards and would opt to keep playing with a back three.Southgate has fielded three centre-backs and two wing-backs in England’s last two games against the Netherlands and Switzerland, which has seen the brave Lions play their best football of the tournament.But with Kieran Trippier being used as the left wing-back from the start in both those ties, Shearer has explained how he would look to drop the Newcastle defender and play Luke Shaw from the off instead.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he said that Southgate will “probably go in with the same formation”.Adding: “It wouldn’t surprise me if he put Luke Shaw in from the start and then kept everything else the same.”Shaw missed the start of the tournament through injury, but has looked sharp off the bench in the last two games.The Man Utd full-back came on at half-time against the Netherlands, perhaps hinting at Southgate’s intentions for the final.Most read in Euro 2024Alan Shearer has given his predicted XI for Sunday’s finalShearer thinks Luke Shaw may replace Kieran Trippier from the startCredit: GettyGary Lineker has explained why he thinks the formation could cause England problemsCredit: APBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHowever, Gary Lineker has raised concerns over playing three at the back for Sunday’s game, suggesting that Spain’s threat on the wings could take advantage of the formation.He said: “I suppose what might be more difficult against Spain, because Spain play the two wingers, is whether they trap England’s two wing-backs deeper than normal.Watch Jude Bellingham’s classy reaction to heartbroken Holland stars after England’s incredible last-gasp Euro 2024 win Kobbie Mainoo: From work experience kid to England hero… and latest generational talentBy Charlie WyettAND we all thought England had just the one generational talent.Kobbie Mainoo was effectively brought to Germany as a work experience kid but has emerged as the key kid behind this country’s attempt to rewrite history.After just five senior starts, England’s new boy wonder will now have a teenage tear-up against Spain’s Lamine Yamal in the Euro 2024 final.Last night, he did not merely become England’s youngest ever player to feature in a semi-final of a major tournament, aged 19 years and 82 days.Here, he took this semi-final by the scruff of the neck, delivered a performance which was a joy to watch, particularly in the first half, and now England are in their first final on foreign soil.If Jude Bellingham thought he was certain to be England’s main posterboy over the next decade, he has someone else who has now emerged in his rear-view mirror within just a few weeks.To bag an FA Cup winners’ medal at the age of 19 was impressive. To then win Euro 2024 a couple of months later would be extraordinary.As we saw with Manchester United, Mainoo has now fitted seamlessly into the team and provided a perfect mix of both style and substance.Give it a couple of years, and you can only imagine how good this lad is going to be.For much of this tournament, the focus has been on the disappointing form of Harry Kane, Bellingham and Phil Foden.So Mainoo, to a degree, had almost been off the radar. But against the Dutch, in tight, congested spaces, he is a class apart.When he was put under pressure, remained cool, navigated his way out of difficult situations and drove forward.Despite what was at stake, Mainoo once again looked extraordinarily composed and was England’s best player in the first half. He won possession, he rode tackles and he drove forward like an old master.He nearly delivered an assist at 1-1 with some brilliant play. He received the ball from Foden, turned and drove forward before returning the ball to his team-mate but the shot was hacked off the line by Denzel Dumfries.Mainoo delivered a terrific block to snuff out some serious danger in a lightning-quick Dutch counter attack.In the second half, he had less space in midfield but nevertheless still had bags of energy and kept his discipline positionally – and then he let subs Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins deliver the business.It is still mind-boggling that Mainoo is now heading to Berlin on Sunday, when you consider Mainoo only made his United debut against Charlton in the Carabao Cup in January 2023. His first Premier League start was just eight months ago.Yet it was his dazzling midfield form in an otherwise dysfunctional United team which earned him his first cap as a substitute against Brazil in March. He was then Man of the Match in a ridiculously-good performance in the 2-2 draw with Belgium.Mainoo’s form dipped in the last few weeks of the season. It was probably because he was knackered carrying some of his team-mates. But he then saved them again in the FA Cup final against Manchester City with a Man of the Match performance in a 2-1 win.A bit like Adam Wharton, he was part of England’s 26-man squad to soak up the experience, to learn what it is like to feature in a major tournament and maybe, if needed, to have a few cameo roles off the bench.And the fact he was effectively Southgate’s third-choice to partner Declan Rice here in Germany tells you exactly where he stood in a squad of 26.The Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield failed in the two opening games against Serbia and Denmark. Conor Gallagher – despite some bright performances as a sub in those games – really struggled in his start against Slovenia.Apart from a strong appearance as a substitute by Palmer, Mainoo’s performance against Slovakia was the only bright spot in a dismal and extremely fortunate win over Slovakia in the last 16.There was always a worry about Mainoo’s movement when England do not have possession but that will come with experience, like it would for any other central midfielder.Yet Mainoo has solved the problem for Southgate and now England can continue to dream big. And it is totally unthinkable from where you consider how they played in the group stages when they stunk out Germany.In Sunday’s final, England’s experienced players will be able to draw on the pain of both the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.For Mainoo, this will be a completely new experience but do not expect him to wilt. He’ll absolutely love it.”And whether we take the chance on playing high and the chance on leaving them. It’ll be a little bit bluff and double-bluff.”Spain’s wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have been two of the standout performers during Euro 2024.But regardless of their form in Germany, Shearer still thinks that the back five is the right formation for England this weekend.He rebutted: “That is a huge strength in what they’ve got in Yamal and Williams on either side. “Yamal loves to come inside on his left foot, that’s what we wants to do, there are not many times where he goes on the outside on the right. “So if that’s going to happen, and you are going to play to play three at the back which I think he may do, he should run into traffic which hopefully might work to England’s benefit.”Between them Yamal and Williams have racked up six goal contributions at the tournament so far.But England need to focus on their own personnel as well as worrying about Spain’s stars.Shearer has suggested just one change for the starting line-up, but other fans and pundits are calling for more tinkering ahead of the final.READ MORE SUN STORIESOllie Watkins’ stunning 90th minute winner on Wednesday has seen plenty of fans clamouring for him to start on Sunday.And not only do they want the Aston Villa striker to start, but some are even calling for him to replace captain Harry Kane in the starting line-up.Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have been exceptional for Spain this summerCredit: APFans and pundits are calling for Ollie Watkins to start on Sunday after his winning goal against the NetherlandsCredit: GettySome even want him to replace Harry Kane from the offCredit: RexYou 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… More

FANS have hailed England assistant boss Steve Holland for his quick-thinking professionalism after Ollie Watkins’ winner.The Three Lions sealed their place in the Euro 2024 final thanks to a last-minute goal from the substitute.Gareth Southgate got carried away celebrating Ollie Watkins’ winnerCredit: X/itvfootballSteve Holland kept calm and advised Southgate to make substitutionsCredit: X/itvfootballHis strike sent Gareth Southgate and his coaching staff into bedlam – all but one man.Holland paused his celebrations to speak to Southgate, advising the England manager to make substitutions to tighten things up for the remainder of stoppage time.The subs also caused a delay in play, allowing the players on the pitch to regain their composure while disrupting the flow of the match.Conor Gallagher and Ezri Konsa were brought on to add defensive reinforcement, replacing Kobbie Mainoo and Bukayo Saka.READ MORE ON EURO 2024It worked a treat as England were able to close out the final few minutes without the Netherlands getting a chance.Fans have praised Holland for his professionalism at a time when he could easily have got carried away celebrating.One supporter reacted saying: “True professionalism.”Another added: “Good work.”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEngland ratings vs HollandENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.Jordan Pickford: 7Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.Kyle Walker: 7Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.John Stones: 7Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.Marc Guehi: 6Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.Bukayo Saka: 7Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.Declan Rice: 6Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.Kobbie Mainoo: 8Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.Kieran Trippier: 6We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.Phil Foden: 7The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.Jude Bellingham: 5Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.Harry Kane: 6Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.SUBSLuke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.Gareth Southgate: 8His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke. A third wrote: “He always does this. Not letting emotions take over but only concerned with getting the job done.”And another commented: “Exactly what you need from an assistant. Man has been all over winning trophies, he knows what it takes.”Ollie Watkins says it’s an honour to represent his country ahead of England Euro Final More

ALVARO MORATA has over 250 goals at the highest level of football to his name.But despite his glut of goals and a slew of winner’s medals – which he’s picked up in stints in England, Italy and Spain – the striker has never been given his flowers.Alvaro Morata is arguably the most unsung striker in Spain’s historyCredit: AFPThe 31-year-old pretty much won the lot in two stints with Real MadridCredit: GETTYMorata is best remembered by English footie fans for his torrid spell at ChelseaCredit: GETTYMorata is often ridiculed in Spain but he’s beloved by his national team colleaguesCredit: AFPAnd that’s even the case in his homeland, where he’s won nearly every trophy going.In two stints with Real Madrid, Morata scored 31 goals in 95 appearances and twice tasted La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League glory.And in 153 appearances for Los Blancos’ crosstown rivals Atletico, he’s found the back of the net 58 times.Nearly a century of goals in 248 appearances for two of Spain’s biggest teams is nothing to be sniffed at.READ MORE ON SPAIN VS ENGLANDNeither is his record for his country, which any aspiring striker would be more than happy to have.In nearly 80 appearances for the three-time Euros winners – 79 to be precise – Morata has found the back of the net 36 times.A record of nearly a goal every other game shouldn’t be overlooked, in particular by England fans basing their opinions on him solely on his disappointing stint with Chelsea.Unlike some high-scoring strikers of yesteryear, Morata hasn’t padded out his record with goals galore against minnow nations.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSEngland 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.He’s bagged strikes against the creme de la creme of European football, scoring against the likes of Italy, Germany and Portugal.The 31-year-old has also turned up when his country has needed him in tournaments, scoring in four of the last five major competitions.Shocking moment member of staff injures Spain star moments after reaching Euro 2024 final with victory over FranceBut Morata is much more than just a goalscorer for La Roja. The skipper is a workhorse who puts in a shift defensively when required.Defending from the front and tracking back are elements of Morata’s game that are often overlooked by both English and Spanish footie fans.Those elements are just small examples of the immense passion he has for the shirt, which sometimes leaves him on the verge of tears.“We are fortunate to have Alvaro,” said Atletic Bilbao and Spain left-back Dani Vivian. “It’s a privilege.”We couldn’t be more grateful.”The way he defends is his way of living every day. You couldn’t be more committed.”He finishes the games almost in tears because he has such a huge desire for everything to go well, which he shows on the pitch.”Our forward is our first defender and that speaks highly of him.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe public praise Morata often receives from his team-mates is a testament to how much they value him – unlike some Spain fans.But his often vocal detractors will be silenced and forced to finally give him his flowers if he leads Spain to yet more Euros glory against England on Sunday night.Even Alvaro Morata’s staunchest critics will be forced to give him his flowers if he guides Spain to a fourth European ChampionshipCredit: GETTY More