The conclusion of EURO2024 is just around the corner, with Spain and England set to lock horns at the Olympiastadion on Sunday, 14th June.
La Roja have been far and away the most impressive team of the tournament, netting an impressive 13 goals and maintaining a 100% winning record on the way to the final. Their opponents, on the other hand, have had a tougher road to Berlin, scraping past Switzerland and the Netherlands to earn a shot at redemption.
For England, this is a chance to make right the agonising wrongs of EURO2020. For Spain, it is an opportunity to win the country’s first silverware since the golden generation of the early 2010s. For the players, a once-in-a-lifetime prospect at becoming a national hero and etching their name in the history books.
15 metres below ground level, 22 men will go to battle – but which of them should we be looking out for? Here are FromTheSpot’s six players to watch at the EURO2024 final.
New kids on the block
Lamine Yamal
If Lamine Yamal wasn’t already regarded as one of the very best young talents in world football before this summer’s tournament, he is now. Unanimously.
The 17-year-old celebrates his birthday today, on the eve of the final, and has broken countless EUROs records in the six matches he’s played.
Yamal is the youngest player ever to score at the EUROs, to assist a goal at the EUROs, and to score a goal at the EUROs. If Spain win on Sunday, he will be the youngest player ever to win the competition.
The Barcelona starlet’s wondergoal against France in the semi-finals was a testament to the ability he has shown throughout the tournament, with his three assists and brave, direct football catching the eyes of onlookers across the continent and beyond.
Kobbie Mainoo
It’s easy to forget that Kobbie Mainoo started the season playing under-19s football. He may not be quite as young as Yamal, but at just 19 years of age, the England midfielder has rapidly burst onto the scene as a potential future great of the game.
Mainoo was never a nailed-on started for Southgate, despite being one of the first names on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United teamsheet almost all season long. As the tournament has progressed, however, his performances have left him irreplaceable in that midfield.
Alongside the tireless Declan Rice, Mainoo’s progressive ball movement and forward-thinking play have given the Three Lions some much-needed exuberance and speed at times of dull, predictable football.
If England want to come away with a long-awaited EUROs trophy, they are going to have to control an extremely talented middle of the park, and Mainoo’s talents will be so desparately needed.
Game-changing heroes
Mikel Merino
In a Spain team full of young stars and household names in the world of football, Mikel Merino may not have been on many people’s radars ahead of this summer’s tournament.
The former Newcastle United midfielder has played his football for Real Sociedad since 2018, becoming one of the club’s most important and reliable players. For Spain, however, it hasn’t been so straight-forward.
Merino’s first international cap came in a 2020 Nations League tie with Germany. Since then, he has gone on to make 27 appearances for La Roja, scoring two goals – the second of which was of huge importance.
The 28-year-old’s salmon-like leap and unorthodox header in the 119th minute against EURO2024 hosts Germany saw Spain through to the semi-finals in symbolic fashion. Merino’s celebration, running around the corner flag, mirrored that of his dad in the same stadium, the MHP Arena, 33 years prior.
Mikel Merino has already provided one of the moments of the tournament – can he do it again in the final?
Ollie Watkins
It was always nigh on impossible that Ollie Watkins would be a starter for Gareth Southgate at EURO2024, with captain Harry Kane being the first name on the gaffer’s teamsheet, but he has proven himself to be a quality second option leading the line.
Watkins’ form heading into the tournament couldn’t have been any better. The striker racked up a remarkable 32 goal contributions in the 2023/24 Premier League season and earned himself the Playmaker of the Season award for his 13 assists, the most in the league.
At the EUROs, the Villa star has had to bide his time, with late appearances off the bench the only opportunity for him to make an impact. Watkins’ willingness and ability to make runs in-behind the defence, something Kane has shied away from doing, has worked wonders in the dying minutes of matches, stretching fatigued defences and forcing tired legs to put in the extra miles.
Ollie Watkins produced a moment of magic in the semi-finals against the Netherlands as England came from 1-0 down to book their place in Berlin’s grand final. His fantastic turn and finish demonstrated the quality he has produced time and time again for Unai Emery this season. If Southgate needs a hero from his bench once again on Sunday, he knows exactly where to turn.
In fine form
Dani Olmo
Spain’s Dani Olmo has had quite the EURO2024 so far. His three goals and two assists make him the tournament’s top goal contributor, and his all-around performances have been second to none.
The RB Leipzig midfielder totalled up four goals and five assists in the Bundesliga last season and, with a £50.5m release clause set to expire the day after the final, could we be seeing the Spaniard play his football elsewhere next season?
A graduate of La Masia, Olmo’s creative eye for a pass and technical prowess make him a joy to watch in the Spanish midfield alongside Fabián Ruiz and Rodri.
The biggest and best clubs in the world should be keeping their eyes on Dani Olmo. That release clause won’t be around forever, and the price almost seems too good to be true.
Bukayo Saka
When Bukayo Saka stepped up to take a penalty in England’s shootout win over Switzerland, the nation held its breath. We all know the racial abuse Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were subjected to last time out in the EURO2020 final against Italy.
The bravery of such a young man should never be discredited, but his actions were not that of somebody needing ‘redemption’. The 22-year-old Arsenal gem has been one of England’s best performers not just at EURO2024, but ever since his international debut.
Saka has been named England’s Player of the Year for the last two successive campaigns, and he has consistently stepped up when both his club and country have needed him most. At times it appears that he performs better under pressure, and Sunday’s final is the biggest match of his career so far.
For comprehensive coverage of tomorrow’s EURO2024 final between Spain and England, stick around on FromTheSpot. Follow our X account to make sure you don’t miss a thing.