It’s three years and three days since England lost to the European Championship final to Italy, and all concerned are determined not to make the mistakes: no performative flares up the hole for purposes, no sitting on a lead, no 120th-minute substitutions.
It was fascinating to re-read Scott Murray’s majestic MBM of that game and be reminded of all the mood swings.
18 min: Italy are slowly gaining a foothold in the game. A few passes, a bit of probing down both flanks. Nothing too much for England to worry about yet, but there are signs that their opponents are stirring after their nightmare start.
Right, lots of preview pieces to get through. Let’s start with David Goldblatt’s piece on Gareth Southgate.
In the fact-free world of our public conversations, his coaching credentials have been dismissed, his huge success discounted. His loyalty, stability and caution – despite everything we have experienced in an era of political backstabbing, chaos and recklessness – have been derided. But perhaps we are at a turning point. England are in the final. Southgate’s detractors have been muted, and his defenders have become more vocal, yet it still feels a little like Labour’s “loveless landslide”.
Spain v England: a short history
Tonight is their fifth meeting at a major tournament – two in the World Cup, three in the Euros – although we should really count the Euro 68 quarter-final as well. (In those days it was technically a four-team tournament so the quarters were part of qualification.)
Louise Tayloir has been looking at the two previous meetings in the European Championship proper.
The word on the street is that Luke Shaw will replace Kieran Trippier at left wing-back. That’ll be the only change from Wednesday’s semi-final win over the Netherlands.
Spain have Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand available again after suspension; they are likely to replace Jesus Navas and Nacho.
Spain (4-2-3-1) Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata.
England (3-4-2-1) Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Foden, Bellingham, Kane.
The teams should be confirmed after 75 minutes before kick-off.
You’d better believe it Brenda. For the fourth year in a row, England are in the final of a major football tournament and a nation is high on life, football and the harmonies of Neil Diamond.
The prodigal sport could finally return home tonight. After 58 years of hurt, and 28 years of talking about years of hurt, England’s players* have the chance to become immortal. There’s just one problem: Spain are really good.
It’s the irresistible force versus the indestructible object. From 1950 to 2023, England came from behind to win a knockout game just three times: West Germany 1966, Cameroon 1990 and Denmark 2021. They’ve doubled that in the past fortnight. If they win tonight, that will be their legacy.
Kick off 8pm.
* Unless otherwise stated, any reference to England in this blog refers solely to the men’s team, the country or Bethany. The first person to ignore this and engage in toxic liberalism will be tracked down and forced to watch England 0-0 Slovenia on a loop for the rest of their natural-born days.