I am curious if Southgate decides to play Luke Shaw from the starting lineup or use him as a super sub as Trippier has stepped up to play out of position to serve as Amke's shift left back and was taken off at halftime against the Netherlands as a precaution as he is managing a groin issue. Other than that possible change, there are unlikely any chances, even after Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer's superb goals and assistance for the late winner against the Netherlands. Southgate will have to make harsh choices and decisions, given the depth of this group on all being worthy of playing, and he knows their ability on the pitch.
Spain had the best tournament and most convincing wins, scoring 13 goals and only conceding three. But Egland has built the moment and drive and needs to win. But I am ashamed as an England fan to say it will be hard for us to beat a time that knocked Italy, Germany, and France on their way to the final when England had the easier opposition and rides to the final. Though he wishes Yamal all their birthday wishes on his 17th birthday, the one about winning the final cannot be granted. Though Spain had an extra day to prepare, England still has adrenaline and momentum and is growing “it's coming home manner” at home. The German press claims England has “cheated” their way to the final when the Psnaish impressed throughout the tournament. Maybe we have not won convincingly as the Spanish, but we won. We dug deep and won in the end, and that's all that matters; jealousy is not a good look on you, Germany.
Data experts Nielsen's Gracenote said Spain was the clear favourite, with a 62% chance of winning.
"England's 38% chance makes them clear underdogs, and they will be seeking to follow Czechoslovakia (1976), Denmark (1992), Greece (2004) and Portugal (2016) in becoming European champions by beating the favourites in the final," said Simon Gleave, head of analysis.
The prestigious Golden Boot prize is awarded to the tournament's leading scorer.
Going into the final, England captain Kane and Spain's Dani Olmo are joint top scorers with three goals each - along with Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Ivan Schranz (Slovakia), Jamal Musiala (Germany) and Georges Mikautadze (Georgia).
If there is a tie, the award will be shared.
With 58 years in the making and one failed attempt last time around, can Spain ruin England's chances of winning their first male Euro, given that the Lionesses broke the record of no trophies by an England senior team since 1966 in 2022?
England has never had both genders win a significant tournament overseas, and this is the men's first time in a final overseas.
Up to 50,000 England fans are to descend on the German capital of Berlin on Sunday, including those who got tickets to the final and those partying in the fan zones by the Hamburg gate.
Southgate on this momentous moment, "The only reason I took the job on was to try to bring success to the nation and improve English football," said Southgate, who has guided England to back-to-back European Championship finals, as well as the 2018 World Cup semi-final and 2022 World Cup quarter-final, since taking charge in 2016.
"I am immensely proud to take this team to a final overseas. It will be a huge task, but we are still here fighting."
The road to the final has not been easy or won convincingly, and the fans jumped at every opportunity. to critique a man who has taken this England team to places that have not been reached in nearly 60 years. But he has had to deal with physical and mental abuse by the fans, who just days later embrace him as a god for getting England to the final. Double standards: stand by him or don't, and do not flip sides—you're not a true fan. If you believe he has not succeeded, though there are no trophies, there have been finals to show.
UEFA has now confirmed the officials for this weekend's final, with France's Francois Letexier tasked with refereeing one of the biggest games in the football calendar.
The 35-year-old has refereed three games so far at this European Championship.
Some English fans have questioned why a French referee has been appointed to handle such an important game for one of their historical rivals.
Meanwhile, some Spanish fans have questioned why the Frenchman was selected, given France's elimination at the hands of the Spanish in the previous round.
"French referee? You know he will punish Spain for knocking out France," posted one unhappy supporter on X.
Another added: "I wonder if a French referee will be biased against Spain after only knocking his country out."
However, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett fully supported UEFA's appointment.
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