Euro 2024

GARETH SOUTHGATE has some massive calls to make this weekend.England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, with a huge prize up for grabs.Gareth Southgate could make some changes to his line-upCredit: GettySome fans have called for Harry Kane to be droppedCredit: GettyLuke Shaw could be in line to startCredit: GettyShould they beat Luis de la Fuente’s side, the Three Lions will secure their first major title in 58 years.They came agonisingly close in 2021 but lost out to Italy on penalties in the final at Wembley.Southgate will now look to go one step further by winning the trophy in Berlin.But to do so he will have to pick his starting line-up carefully.Read More in FootballMany fans have called for semi-final hero Ollie Watkins to get the nod over captain Harry Kane following his last-gasp strike against Holland.Some also want Luke Shaw back in the XI following his return from injury.Southgate is yet to offer any hints about his potential line-up.But SunSport have looked at three different ways he could approach the game…Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOption 1How England could line up against Spain in the Euro 2024 finalIf the England boss were to make any changes, the most likely one would be Shaw replacing Kieran Trippier.Despite being a right-back, Trippier swapped over to the left at the start of the tournament.Watch Jordan Pickford absolutely lose it as he celebrates with fans after Ollie Watkins’ England winner vs NetherlandsHe began as a left-back before switching to a left wing-back role when Southgate changed formations against Switzerland.The Newcastle star was initially put there to cover Shaw while he was recovering from injury.But with the Manchester United defender now fully fit, Trippier could be surplus to requirements.In what would arguably be the biggest shock, Southgate could also decide to drop captain Kane.The striker has appeared fatigued at times throughout the tournament, likely due to a recent back injury.But Southgate has continued to show faith in him, despite impressive substitute appearances from both Watkins and Ivan Toney.It would be unlikely, but the England boss could decide to put Watkins in contention for a start.Option 2Alternatively, the Three Lions could line up with two strikersAlternatively – and this would be even more far-fetched – Southgate could decide to tweak his formation and play two strikers.Should he do so, Kobbie Mainoo could be dropped to the bench despite his fantastic Player of the Match performance against Holland.In that situation, England could line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation with Jude Bellingham playing alongside Declan Rice in the centre of midfield and Phil Foden starring further forward.Option 3Or Southgate could start with the same XI as the semi-finalFinally – and the most likely scenario – safety-first Southgate could opt to simply keep everything the same.READ MORE SUN STORIESKane – who despite his poor form is the joint leading scorer at the tournament – could remain as England’s sole No9, with Trippier keeping his spot on the left.That would give the likes of Watkins and Shaw the chance to make an impact later in the match.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… More

ENGLAND fans have declared Sunday’s Euro 2024 final the “battle of Benidorm” as Spanish cops deploy riot police, drones and booze bans to cope with the surge of fans.Benidorm council chiefs have put preventative measures in place for pubs and clubs showing the mammoth clash with them telling bar staff to only give England fans beer in plastic pint glasses.England fans have declared Sunday’s Euro 2024 final as the ‘battle of Benidorm’Credit: ReutersBans have already been placed on pubs serving glass bottles after 6pm this weekendCredit: ReutersBenidorm is set to deploy a number of special police operations ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster clashCredit: ReutersA whopping 70,000 litres of beer is expected to be sunk on SundayCredit: ReutersThe travelling Three Lions’s fans have vowed to transform the famous Costa Blanca resort into a battleground on the day of the final against the Spanish.To counter any rowdiness, public security councillor Jesus Carrobles has said booze served in glasses will be banned from 6pm.The game kicks off at 9pm in Benidorm – with elated England fans expected to pile into pubs as early as possible in their droves. A whopping 70,000 litres of beer is expected to be sunk on Sunday – 25,000 more than on a normal day, say local reports.read more in Euro 2024Carrobles has also banned business owners in the town’s beloved Little England area from setting up street bars on match day to avoid any escalation of trouble.Benidorm’s Rincon de Loix area, a tourist haven for Brits abroad, announced they are using drones to keep a close eye on fan zones.The security measures are all forming part of a special police operation which will also see several streets closed off and riot police on standby.Parking will also be restricted from Saturday night to help with pedestrian movement.Most read in Euro 2024If Luis de la Fuente’s impressive Spain side wins the final, the town’s Plaza de la Hispanidad square will be closed to traffic due to the expected celebrations. Benidorm Council said: “The monitoring of security and any incidents that might occur will be carried out from the Coordination Centre which will be located at the Benidorm Local Police Headquarters, where there will be local and national agents working together.”England gets ready for almighty Euro 2024 final party with fans set to spend £800MILLION on beer and pizzaBenidorm mayor Toni Perez has insisted the town has “sufficient resources and experience to be able to deal with an event of this nature”.He added overnight: “I am confident it will be a day of celebration for both fans where a fun and festive atmosphere reigns, with calm and good co-existence between Spaniards and England fans.”Desperate England fans have been priced out of attending the final in Berlin with ticket prices soaring since Ollie Watkin’s winner against the Netherlands. Up to 50,000 supporters are expected to race to the Three Lions’ first ever final on foreign soil as part of a ‘Berlin Airlift’.Leaving those who couldn’t grab a gold dust ticket already planning to jet off to a sunny location such as Benidorm to enjoy the game.Following England’s last gasp screamer fans were quick to try and snap up tickets, flights and hotels ahead of a historic Sunday 14.Ticket prices for Sunday’s final flew up on the re-sale market with the most expensive seat selling for an incredible £78,000-a-pair.Some of the lowest-priced tickets – known as “Fans First” – are now sat at £4,400 – 25 times more expensive than the £85 face value they’re worth through UEFA.Cost of hotels, flights and tickets to the Euro 2024 finalUP to 50,000 supporters are expected to race to the Three Lions’ first ever final on foreign soil – with the cost quickly adding up for fans.Tickets*Most expensive ticket – £39,000Premium resell ticket – £5,500 to £16,600Category 1 ticket – £3,100 to £6,600Category 2 ticket – £2,200 to £4,400Category 3 ticket – £1,700 to £3,500Fans First ticket – £2,045 to £4,400HotelsHoliday Inn Berlin – £345 for Sunday nightCourtyard Berlin City Centre – £606 for Sunday nightAirbnb – Upwards of £117-a-nightFlightsEasyJet flights, UK airports to Berlin – £918British Airways, Heathrow to Berlin – £782*Data from KingCasinoBonusMeaning the cost has soared by 2,456 per cent, according to data from KingCasinoBonus.UEFA have warned fans about buying tickets from outside sellers as they said: “We urge fans not to purchase tickets on the secondary market.”Not only do fans need to fork out a small fortune on tickets to the match but they also need to pay for flights and hotels.Joyous England fans have spent the night scrambling to join a ‘Berlin Airlift’ heading to Sunday’s final against Spain – with flights swiftly soaring up in price.With 21 EasyJet flights to Berlin from Birmingham, Bristol, Luton and Gatwick between Friday and the match also being fully booked.The remaining EasyJet flights going from Gatwick to Berlin in the next few days are priced at a whopping £918.The same seat will set back punters just £167 a week later.Hotel prices in Berlin have also rocketed with a one-night stay at a Holiday Inn in Berlin costing £345 on Sunday night.READ MORE SUN STORIESOver £200 more expensive than the same room a week later.The Courtyard Berlin City Centre is also charging £606 for Sunday night in its cheapest room – but just £137 the following Sunday.England vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result dating back to 1929…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.Fans gathered in Benidorm for the Netherlands match last WednesdayCredit: ReutersFans have been flocking out to Benidorm since England won on WednesdayCredit: Louis WoodElated Three Lions supporters are hoping for a historic win this weekendCredit: Reuters More

GARETH SOUTHGATE reckons his England team will have to deliver perfection to beat Spain and win Euro 2024.But the Three Lions boss believes his side’s rollercoaster journey to Sunday’s final in ­Berlin has been ideal preparation to win a first major tournament on foreign soil.Gareth Southgate has named two reasons Spain are the favourites for the Euro 2024 finalCredit: GettySpain have been the best team at the tournament according to the England managerCredit: GettySouthgate said: “We have got to be perfect to win this game and we will have to find everything that we have got from within us.“They are a bloody good side. They are rightly favourites, they have been the best team.“They have a day longer. In the last three finals it has been quite significant, so we have to get our recovery spot on.”Spain won their semi-final 24 hours before England beat Holland on Wednesday — and Italy, Portugal and Spain all won the last three  tournaments after playing the earlier semi-final.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSSouthgate added:  “But we are in there and there is no question that this new group has formed so well and  learned so much from these six games.“We have got players who have played lots of big matches, so they will know what is required on the night.“But in the next couple of days we have got to get perfectly prepared as it is such a quick turnaround.”England’s squad all did an indoor recovery session yesterday after flying back to their Blankenhain base following the 2-1 semi-final win over Holland in Dortmund.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSYou 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…Kieran Trippier hopes to be fit after suffering a groin injury on Wednesday but Luke Shaw could still start his first game of the tournament on the left.Harry Kane expects to get over the foot issue he suffered after being kicked by Denzel Dumfries.Inside the Spain camp as England face even tougher test than France didInside the baffling, brilliant story of Lamine Yamal – from being bathed by Messi to doing homework while taking Euros by stormLAMINE YAMAL has confirmed his status as football’s next superstar at Euro 2024 – but has only been playing 11-a-side games for four years, write Jack Rosser.Spain’s incredible 16-year-old bent home the goal of the tournament so far against France as La Roja sealed the spot in the final.But his first five years in Barcelona’s academy were spent playing seven-a-side football, up until the age of 12 in 2020 when he finally got a crack at 11-a-side games.Yamal’s story is baffling, brilliant and barely believable in equal measure.He is a boy born to a Moroccan father and a mother from Equatorial Guinea, who turns 17 tomorrow and was cradled by footballing royalty at just six months old.Staggering pictures of Yamal as a baby being held and bathed by Messi, taken for a Barcelona charity calendar 16 years ago, resurfaced this week.He did not restrict his brushes with greatness to Barcelona either, with footage of Yamal as an academy player walking as a mascot with Spain and Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos at an El Clasico in 2016.There is a touch of fate about this gem, Spain’s “little MVP”, as team-mate Nico Williams has dubbed him.Yamal has been doing homework in his spare time and received exam results during the tournament. He passed, obviously.Now he’s the youngest ever goalscorer at the Euros, also becoming the youngest player to ever start a major semi-final – claiming that title from Pele.But it’s Yamal’s humble approach on and off the pitch that most impresses everyone he meets.And France star Adrien Rabiot probably felt quite embarrassed as he boarded his plane back home from Germany.He had tried to intimidate Yamal ahead of their semi-final clash – telling Yamal he “needs to do more.”Was this good enough, then? Yamal responded with a goal for the ages and a man of the match performance.A season which started with a pre-season game against Tottenham where Yamal excelled but was overshadowed by Oliver Skipp scoring a brace will end on the biggest stage European football has to offer on Sunday.From being outshone by Skipp to eclipsing Pele’s records is not a bad year’s work – just imagine what he will do when he grows up.Read all about the incredible rise of Lamine Yamal in full… More

DECLAN RICE has vowed to sink his first proper beer if England win the Euros.The Arsenal midfielder made the same pledge three years ago but kept his powder dry after the Three Lions suffered an agonising defeat by Italy on penalties in the Wembley final.Declan Rice will have his first-ever beer if England win the EurosCredit: RexAs Gareth Southgate’s side prepare for a Sunday showdown with Spain, Rice said: “I remember that.“Since that time I’ve had a beer but I had it with a bit of lemonade.“If we win I’ll have a proper beer. I’ll probably have to hold my nose as I hate the smell.“I’ve been in this position before and it feels just as good. Now we’re in another final. We are so together.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS“You can see how much it means to everyone.”England’s progress to a second consecutive Euros final has been anything but smooth with little to raise a glass to in some of the performances.But champagne moments like Ollie Watkins’ last-minute semi-final winner against Holland have sent them to Berlin.That followed Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time overhead kick equaliser against Slovakia in the last-16 and the five perfect penalties that did for Switzerland in the quarter-finals.Most read in FootballEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSKing Charles has now urged England to find a less dramatic way to win.And Rice revealed the team also got a little royal advice before the tournament kicked off.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett praises England as Ollie Watkins 90th minute winner puts Three Lions into Euro 2024 finalRice said: “When Prince William came into St George’s Park he said it would be a rollercoaster and that this tournament is brutal.“That’s what it’s been from the first minute. You couldn’t write it and to be part of it is so special.“It started with Jude’s overhead, then the pens, then Holland was a completely different challenge.“But those moments in football that Ollie has just come back with, you can’t describe it.“I was so emotional at the end because it’s been a tough road.“I know the final is going to be a really tough game and hopefully someone else can write some history into the books.“It is a game we believe we can win so it is poised to be a great final.READ MORE SUN STORIES“There is one more in our legs to give it everything for the boys, for the fans and for this manager.“We are so desperate to do this and bring some happiness to the country.”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… More

THERE are rarefied moments in sport when the heart misses a beat, when the blood runs cold, when time stands still for a second.Moments when you doubt the evidence of your own eyes.Ollie Watkins’ goal against the Netherlands will go down in English sporting folkloreCredit: AFPThe Aston Villa striker’s last-minute strike booked England’s spot in the Euro 2024 finalCredit: AlamyBut then you process what you’ve just witnessed.And then the only natural human reaction is to yell: “F*** my old boots!”And when Ollie Watkins swivelled to beat Stefan de Vrij and struck the sweetest of shots low into the far corner, this was one of those thrilling moments when a nation is united in euphoria.An Oliver twist that even Charles Dickens couldn’t have written.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSThe clock read 89min and 59sec. And England were into their first major final on foreign soil.Watkins now sits alongside Geoff Hurst, David Platt and Paul Gascoigne.Like Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Stokes and Mo Farah too, he owns a moment which will be seared into the national consciousness for eternity.When you have been following the England football team throughout most, or all, of these 58 years of hurt, you watch Watkins turn and shoot and you are convinced that ball will ping back off the inside of the post.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOr graze the outside of the post. Or that Holland goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen will turn it wide.So when the ball nestles in the onion bag, you have to perform a double-take.England fans gush ‘my manager’ as incredible footage emerges of Southgate going wild after reaching Euro 2024 final And then you scream.But then you look for a linesman’s flag.And then you wait for the dreaded VAR check.Even though there clearly couldn’t have been an offside or a foul.Because fatalism is at the core of following the England men’s football team.And this adds to the drama. Because this sort of thing doesn’t happen to us. We don’t reach finals on foreign soil.Least of all in Germany, with the Germans eliminated almost a week ago.And we don’t dominate possession against the Dutch — who had long since resorted to lumping it long to their big man, 6ft 6in Wout Weghorst.Just as we never used to win penalty shootouts, as the Three Lions did against Switzerland.Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick fired England to World Cup glory in 1966Credit: GettyDavid Platt caused passionate celebrations against Belgium at Italia 90Credit: Action Images – ReutersPaul Gascoigne’s wondergoal sealed a 2-0 win over Scotland at Euro 1996Credit: GettyJust as we never scored 96th-minute bicycle-kick equalisers, as Jude Bellingham did when England were dead and buried against Slovakia in the last 16.This is a reversal of the natural order. This is Gareth Southgate’s England.So where does the Watkins moment rank among those most dramatic and glorious in English sporting history?Hurst produced not just one, but two, of them in extra-time against West Germany in 1966.First, there was the crossbar and the Azerbaijani linesman.Then the “They think it’s all over…” moment when Hurst completed his hat-trick with a rocket after delirious supporters had already invaded the pitch.But you need to be a  pensioner to remember those moments.For the rest of us, there was Gascoigne’s sensational goal against Scotland and his dentist’s chair celebration at Euro 96 — just a minute after David Seaman had saved a penalty from Gary McAllister with England leading 1-0. That was special and yet it was only a group-stage match.Greatest English sporting moments since 1966David Platt’s last-minute extra-time winner vs Belgium at Italia 90Paul Gascoigne’s wondergoal vs Scotland at Euro 96Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal to win the 2003 Rugby World CupAshes victory over Australia in 2005Super Saturday at London 2012Ben Stokes’ heroics to win 2019 Cricket World Cup finalLionesses winning 2022 Women’s Euros at WembleyAnd it arrived in the 79th minute, not the last second of normal time.The greatest parallel was Platt’s extraordinary turn and volley in the final minute of extra-time against Belgium, at Italia 90.Like Watkins, Platt was a relatively unsung Aston Villa player who had arrived as a substitute.But that was a last-16 match, not a semi-final.Wilkinson’s drop goal to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup final against Australia was special.But England were favourites and everything was set up for Wilkinson to slot that ball between the posts.The fly-half was Clive Woodward’s go-to man.He wasn’t a supposed  bit-part player like Watkins.In my quarter of a century covering elite sport, none of those genuine heart-stopping England moments involved the men’s football team.Mo Farah won gold on Super Saturday for Team GB at London 2012Credit: PA:Press AssociationJonny Wilkinson’s drop goal clinched the 2003 Rugby World Cup against AustraliaCredit: GettyEngland won the 2019 Cricket World Cup following Ben Stokes’ heroicsCredit: GettyThere were several such moments during the 2005 Ashes, when England’s cricketers regained the urn after 16 years in a breathless, epic series.And then Stokes’ golden summer of 2019 when he played a remarkable innings in the World Cup final and England won with a run-out from the final ball of a super over after the match was tied.Just weeks later, at Headingley, Stokes and the bespectacled everyman No 11 batsman Jack Leach shared a ridiculous 76-run final-wicket partnership to win an Ashes Test.I noted at the time that it was like watching Superman and Clark Kent in the same place. When Stokes cracked the winning boundary and a sun-baked Western Terrace rose as one with their arms aloft, that was a time-stands-still moment too.But England didn’t win that series.There was Super Saturday at the 2012 London Olympics when Jessica Ennis, Greg Rutherford and Farah all nailed track-and-field gold medals in the space of 44 minutes.And we must not forget that the England women’s team — unlike the men — have been crowned European champions.When Chloe Kelly netted the winner in extra-time against Germany, in 2022, twirled her shirt above her head  and cavorted across Wembley in her sports bra, that was an iconic moment and a breakthough for the women’s game.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. But the longest-running national sporting obsession is the England men’s team and their elusive hunt for silverware.That’s what makes the Watkins moment — Take My Breath Away and off to  Berlin — arguably the most astonishing since 1966.Perhaps on Sunday night, in the final against Spain, that moment will be swiftly eclipsed.Who knows. Anything seems possible right now. There’s a feeling of fate and destiny about this campaign.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere would be no logic in England defeating Spain, the best team in the tournament.But then where’s the  logic in those moments when your heart misses a beat, when the blood runs cold, when time stands still, when you cannot believe your own eyes? More