Players to watch out for

England may not have been at their best in Group C, but they still topped their section and remained unbeaten. The brilliance of forwards like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane shone through in all three matches. Bellingham’s overhead kick led to extra time in the round of 16 victory against Slovakia, where Kane secured the win with a header. 

They also rallied from behind against Switzerland, with Bukayo Saka’s equaliser paving the way for a penalty shootout victory, where they converted all five spot kicks. In the semi-finals, Ollie Watkins’ last-minute goal sealed England’s comeback win over the Netherlands, propelling the Three Lions into their second consecutive Euro final.

With a clash against Spain up next, here are three players from the Three Lions squad who could prove to be decisive in the final.

John Stones

Stones has been a commanding presence in England’s defence. His speed and agility make him a formidable opponent against fast, pacey forwards, while his strength allows him to effectively shield against attackers, making him difficult to bypass. He has completed 10 clearances out of 14 attempts, the highest among any player in the England squad alongside 24 ball recoveries and two crucial blocks. Offensively, Stones has also contributed significantly, making 33 passes into the attacking third.

As England prepares for the final, Stones will face the industrious Alvaro Morata. The Spanish striker is known for playing off defenders and making runs behind them. Stones will need to keep his defensive line tight to catch Morata and the Spanish forwards offside. Having redeemed himself from past setbacks, Stones now has the chance to prove his mettle once more for England in the Euro 2024 final.

Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo’s presence has been instrumental in revitalising England’s campaign after a shaky group stage start. The teenage sensation has boasted a pass accuracy of 94.4%, highlighting his secure passing ability. Mainoo has also recovered nine balls for the Three Lions, showcasing his defensive contributions. His best trait is his knack for finding pockets of space among midfielders and positioning himself strategically during counter-attacks. While primarily playing deeper, Mainoo can seamlessly transition into an attacking midfielder role thanks to his dribbling prowess and ball-carrying ability. His offensive impact is evident, with 10 key passes, three passes into the penalty area, and nine passes into the attacking third.

Mainoo will need to be defensively vigilant and control the tempo of England’s play against Spain. The 19-year-old must be wary of the counter-attacks, as Spain boasts powerful runners like Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz through the middle. However, his biggest challenge will be neutralising Rodri, the mastermind behind Spain’s play. If Mainoo can keep Rodri at bay, England’s chances of winning will significantly increase.

Bukayo Saka

The Arsenal winger is one of the few in-form players for England this tournament, contributing a goal and an assist with eight total attempts while playing in different roles. Saka’s silky dribbling has been a highlight, completing 24 dribbles — the highest among his teammates. Offensively, he has also made 35 passes into key play areas, 12 into the penalty area, and seven into the attacking third. Despite being an attacking threat down the right channel, Saka has also defended admirably, making nine recoveries and completing seven out of 10 clearances.

At 22, Saka will face a tough opponent in Spain’s Marc Cucurella in the final. Cucurella can be rash with his challenges if beaten, so Saka needs to take him on whenever possible. Defensively, Saka must remain vigilant against Nico Williams. Teaming up with Kyle Walker, Saka’s defensive efforts will be crucial in curbing Williams’ threat on the counter.

Spain’s key players

La Roja have been in superb form in Germany, winning all six games while scoring 13 goals and conceding only three. After a perfect record in the group stages, Spain demonstrated their resilience to overcome hosts Germany in extra time in the quarter-finals. Lamine Yamal’s remarkable match-turning equaliser in the semi-final further highlighted his prodigious talent. If Spain triumphs in Germany, they will become the first team to win four Euro titles.

Ahead of their pivotal matchup against England, here are three players from their squad worth keeping an eye on.

Marc Cucurella

The full-back has silenced his critics with stellar displays and has been one of Spain’s most consistent performers in this Euro. Cucurella is a strong dueller who relishes a tussle with his opponent and has supported their attack without compromising his defensive duties. Always present when Spain is under pressure, Cucurella has recovered 31 balls, second only to Aymeric Laporte, highlighting his defensive importance. Additionally, he has made four blocks. Offensively, the La Masia graduate has excelled with 21 key passes and an impressive 31 passes into the attacking third, justifying Luis de la Fuente’s decision to include him in the squad.

Cucurella will face Saka, a constant one versus one threat. To succeed, he must avoid ball-watching and rash challenges to prevent early bookings. Finals are games of fine margins, and the Cucurella vs Saka duel could be pivotal in deciding the outcome for their respective teams.

Rodri

Rodri has been the unsung hero for Spain and has been the mastermind behind their success, playing an important role in their midfield. With a pass accuracy of 93.8%, Rodri has completed 382 out of 406 passes and 25 out of 27 long passes with an accuracy of 92.59%. He has also recovered 31 balls. The former Atletico Madrid player excels at breaking lines with his impeccable passes, tallying 34 passes into the attacking third and 23 into key play areas.

At 28, Rodri will need to establish control early in the final against England. He will be tasked with handling the likes of Phil Foden, his club teammate, and tracking late runs into the box from Jude Bellingham. England will be aware of Rodri’s playmaking abilities and will likely try to neutralise him. For Spain to triumph, Rodri must stay in the game and continue his influential role.

Dani Olmo

The 26-year-old is Spain’s top goal contributor in Euro 2024, with three goals and two assists, and is in the running for the Golden Boot alongside England’s Harry Kane. Olmo is fast, agile, and extremely skillful, posing a constant threat to defenders. He has made 15 attempts at goal, with six on target, and completed 19 successful dribbles. The La Masia graduate has made 12 runs into the attacking third and 13 passes into key play areas, showcasing his offensive brilliance. With 341 minutes played in Euro 2024, Olmo has contributed to five goals, averaging a goal contribution every 68.2 minutes — a phenomenal rate.

In the final, he will face Declan Rice, who has had a strong tournament despite conceding a turnover against the Netherlands that led to their opening goal. Olmo will need to put pressure on Rice, exploiting any potential mistakes and his contributions could prove to be crucial for Spain.