England v Spain LIVE: Team news from Euro 2024 final as Gareth Southgate faces line-up dilemma

Team news

Here’s a reminder of some early team news.

Southgate is likely to have some decisions to make for the final. Luke Shaw has been playing an increasingly bigger role in the quarter-final and semi-final, and might be considered fit enough to start, in place of Kieran Trippier – nevertheless, early reports indicate that Southgate will stick with the Newcastle man in the starting eleven.

Ollie Watkins laid down a marker with his late goal to send England through to the final, and could be pushing Harry Kane for a role as the starting forward, after the captain has not had the impact at the tournament he would have wanted.

Spain were without key players Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal through suspension for their win over France, but both are expected to return to face England. Pedri however will remain unavailable through injury.

Predicted XIs

EnglandXI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Foden, Kane, Bellingham.

SpainXI: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.

Chris Wilson14 July 2024 17:15

Dani Olmo addresses Golden Boot race with Harry Kane – and England captain’s lack of trophies

Spain take on England in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday with personal awards as well as collective glory on offer in Berlin.

While both nations will primarily be seeking to end waits for another men’s international trophy – one rather longer than the other – there’s also the Golden Boot award to settle, with at least one player from each nation in the running.

Dani Olmo has three for Spain, with Harry Kane on the same number for England – they’ll share the award if that remains the case, along with four others. One goal for each, though, and they’ll be a step toward a solo win and a team success, too.

Chris Wilson14 July 2024 17:05

Sam Tattersall, 29, from Nottingham, shaved a red St George’s Cross into his hair before travelling out to Berlin for the Euro 24 final.

The barber said: “We decided on Friday to do a little trip to Berlin and because I’m a barber, I was going to get my hair cut and I thought I’d go for it with the St George’s cross because football’s coming home.

“We got here at 2am, my cousin drove us and we set off from Nottingham at 10.15am yesterday.”

He said he had not got tickets for the final but was looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere in Berlin. He added: “I keep forgetting about my hair and noticing people looking at me. I wish I had done it with permanent dye not a spray because it’s coming off in the rain.

“If we lose it’s going to have to go on Tuesday, but if we win it could stay for a year!”

Chris Wilson14 July 2024 17:00

Uefa confirm baffling Golden Boot decision ahead of Euro 2024 final

Uefa have confirmed how the Golden Boot will be awarded after the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, with Harry Kane still in the running to claim it for a second major international tournament.

Scoring from the penalty spot against Netherlands in the semis – after also finding the target against Denmark and in extra time against Slovakia – put Kane level at the top with Dani Olmo of Spain, Cody Gakpo of Netherlands, Jamal Musiala of hosts Germany, Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze and Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz.

Until now, though, if it stayed the same way that would simply mean the qualifying criteria came into force: the top scorer with most assists claimed the award, with minutes played the next differentiator if players were still level.

But ahead of the final Uefa have announced that the Golden Boot this year will instead be shared between all players who finish level with the most goals.

Chris Wilson14 July 2024 16:55

Hundreds of rail services have been cancelled today with workers choosing to watch the game instead of work overtime.

Hundreds of Sunday trains have been cancelled across Britain as staff exercise their right not to work overtime on the day of the Euro 2024 final.

The leading intercity operator, GWR, is warning passengers: “Sickness and England reaching the final of the Euros are likely to reduce the number of colleagues available for overtime shifts.”

So bad is the disruption caused by train crew choosing to watch the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain that National Rail is warning passengers on the Great Western line linking London Paddington with South Wales and the West of England: “Do not travel after 6pm.”

Read the full story from Simon Calder:

Chris Wilson14 July 2024 16:50

Euro 2024 Golden Boot standings: Harry Kane, Dani Olmo and Jude Bellingham battle to be top scorer

Europe’s best strikers have been vying for individual honours as well as team success as they aim to top the scoring charts at Euro 2024.

Footballing greats such as Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres, Alan Shearer and Gerd Muller are among those who have won the prestigious prize throughout the history of the Euros, and the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Dani Olmo are hoping to join them this time around.

It hasn’t been an extremely high-scoring campaign so far in individual terms, but that just means there are still some in the running who haven’t had a prolific tournament – one big game in front of goal could change everything.

Chris Wilson14 July 2024 16:45

Team news – Luke Shaw set to start

Shaw’s return to the starting eleven will be a welcome sight for some. Though both players are similarly solid in defence, the lack of a naturally left-footed left-back occasionally harmed England’s attacking efforts in previous matches.

Trippier is perhaps less keen to make overlapping runs when attacking too – something that Shaw did to great effect when he scored the opener in the Euro 2020 final.

While both players are similarly effective from dead-ball situations, Shaw’s desire to get forward – and his effectiveness when he does – could prove vital come the end of tonight’s match.

Chris Wilson14 July 2024 16:43

Central London in chaos as thousands of Three Lions fans swarm capital

Flares, road signs and morph suits were out in full force as thousands descended on both Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square hours before kick off.

Police had to fight back crowds of over-exuberant England fans some carrying road signs others on piggyback as they sing ‘Hey Jude’ and threaten to spill out in the busy road.

The Met Police warned that an anti-social behaviour dispersal order is in place across Westminster until 2am. A spokesman said: “Crowds of people gathering and drinking in central London streets could be in breach of this order.

“We encourage those to enjoy themselves safely at local licenced premises.”

Chris Wilson14 July 2024 16:40

Euro 2024 awards: Best player, standout goal, favourite match and more

Euro 2024 is drawing to a close with just the final ahead, where Spain will face England in Berlin on Sunday.

That match will see either La Roja pick up their first trophy in over a decade – or the Three Lions win their first in very nearly six.

One more match, the biggest of all, could of course influence decisions over who has had most impact at the tournament or who will win the official awards, but here at the Independent we’re getting our votes in now ahead of the final to have our say on the best goals, games and individuals, plus the team of the tournament and what our biggest takeaway from Germany is.

Get involved by signing up and joining the comments section below!

Chris Wilson14 July 2024 16:35

Team news

New reports are suggesting that Luke Shaw is set for a shock start at left-back tonight.

The 29-year-old played his first competitive football since February earlier on at Euro 2024, though he is yet to start at the tournament.

Eyebrows were raised when Southgate decided to name Shaw in his squad for Germany, though with Kieran Trippier putting in mixed performances so far, it may make sense to utilise the squad’s only natural left-back.

Chris Wilson14 July 2024 16:32