Everything is ready at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Spain and England are competing for the Euro 2024 title. For the Red Furies it would be the fourth after those of 1964, 2008 and 2012. For the English, defeated three years ago in the Wembley final by Mancini's Italy, it would be the first.
Southgate chooses the following starting eleven: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Bellingham, Foden; Kane. De La Fuente responds like this: Unai Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata.
THE NEWS
First half
The first half was intense and very balanced, but devoid of emotion. As expected, Spain plays the game and manages ball possession. England, very attentive and well closed, are immediately ready to start again. The only shot on target in the first 45 minutes came in injury time, a harmless volley from Foden after a free kick from the right. For the rest, some attempted attacks on the flanks of the Spaniards were well neutralized by the English defense and some counterattacks by England which they were unable to materialise. Thrill only for a play in the area by Morata, neutralized by Stones, and an error by Carvajal who had the ball stolen by Bellingham, assist for Kane and blocked shot. Both centre-forwards, Harry Kane and Alvaro Morata, were booked.
Second half
We start again with bad news for Spain, who lose their star Rodri to injury, replaced with Zubimendi. But De La Fuente's team is not affected, on the contrary: just over a minute passes and the Spanish lead arrives. Great play from the usual Lamine Yamal (17 years old yesterday) and perfect assist for Nico Williams who beats Pickford. Immediately afterwards Dani Olmo almost doubled his lead. England feel the pinch, Spain rages and comes very close to scoring twice more in the space of 2 minutes: first Morata wastes one-on-one, then Nico Williams comes close to the post from outside. After two plays by Bellingham and Yamal, the equalizer came in the 73rd minute, a great low shot from outside by Cole Palmer assisted by Belligham.
