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Spain v England: Can England Bring It Home?

The final. Berlin. A chance for England to finally bring football home. But can they do it?

Spain go into the final having been, by a distance, the best team in the tournament. They eased through the group stages without conceding a goal, and then dispatched Georgia in emphatic fashion before overcoming two European superpowers in Germany and France.

Lamine Yamal has arguably been the player of the tournament and the teenager has lit up the Spanish attack with several fantastic performances. The final falls a day after his 17th birthday and he will be keen to return to Barcelona with a winner’s medal in his pocket and the footballing world at his feet.

England deservedly beat the Netherlands in the semi-final. Their first half display was assured, after going a goal behind again, and even though the penalty decision was questionable, their performance warranted the win. The second half of the game was a much closer affair, and it took a wonderful strike by Watkins to take the Three Lions to consecutive Euro finals.

The bench has played a big part for England in their run to the final and has dominated much of the debate around the side. Many, myself included, have felt that Southgate has been reluctant to make use of a bench which is stacked with attacking talent. Hopefully he will be braver this time and will remember how England let a goal lead in the last final evaporate, as they sat back and ultimately lost on penalties.

This feels like a coin-flip between a Spanish side who have been the side in Germany, and an England team who have found big moments and a way to win. I hope Southgate and his team can find one more magical moment and lift the trophy. Finals are rarely classic games, and this is likely to be a tense affair. However with Spain willing to push forward and attack in numbers, I fancy England may have an opponent who gives them the freedom to play, and we will finally see a trophy coming home.

Tip: England to win [23/10], draw half-time [17/20], Kane anytime goal scorer [12/5]

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