2 weeks Ago By Chisanga Malata
ENGLAND will face Spain in the final of Euro 2024 after some last-gasp heroics from Ollie Watkins. The Aston Villa hitman fired the Three Lions into their second straight Euros final with a sensational stoppage-time winner in Wednesday night's semi-final against the Netherlands. Watkins brilliantly rifled the ball past a helpless Bart Verbruggen just minutes after replacing skipper Harry Kane up front.
Gareth Southgate's troops will face their toughest task of the tournament to end the nation's 58-year-long wait for silverware. Spain are the huge favourites having knocked out two of the pre-tournament favourites en route to Sunday's final. Luis de la Fuente Castillo's charges dumped out hosts Germany in the quarter-finals before ending 2016 runners-up France 's hopes of winning the tournament in the semis.
It's been nearly SIX YEARS since England last came up against the Spaniards, who lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy in 1964, 2008 and 2012. And to say their starting XI for the Nations League clash, which they won 3-2, is unrecognisable from Southgate's current go-to team would be an understatement. Only THREE players who started the match in Seville played in Wednesday's downing of the Dutch.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford , makeshift left-back Kieran Trippier and star striker Kane are the relics of that starting XI. EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERS Only a further three stars in the matchday squad were on the plane to Germany this summer, those players being Joe Gomez , Lewis Dunk.
