The big decision of Euro 2024 is getting closer and closer. Spain and England will fight for the European title this Sunday afternoon, starting at 4 pm (Brasília time), at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, in the German capital.
It is true that the two teams have shown two completely different styles of play so far. However, they both have something in common: young players who have been gaining prominence and showing that they do not feel the pressure of competing in a competition the size of the Euro.
On the Spanish side, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are making the opposing defenses miserable on the wings. On the English side, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka bring a more measured style of play, but one that can be just as deadly.
At the age of 16, Lamine Yamal began to show his football skills to the world last season, while still playing for Barcelona – the club where he was discovered. After his good performances on the right wing, he skipped a few stages and was called up by Luis de La Fuente to defend ‘La Roja’ in the Eurocup.
The number 19 enchanted Spain with his football and, not surprisingly, he started the Euro as a starter for his national team. Accustomed to breaking records, Lamine became the youngest player to play in a match in the European competition.
Starboy 💫#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/hFwcARGzQu
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 11, 2024
The youngster has been decisive for the Spanish team. He is the tournament’s top waiter alongside Dutchman Xavi Simmons, both with three assists. Yamal assisted Carvajal in the match against Croatia in the group stage, as well as providing assists for Fabián Ruiz to score against Georgia in the round of 16, and for Dani Olmo to score the first goal against Germany in the quarter-finals.
Lamine also became the youngest player to score in Euro history. At 16 years and 362 days, he scored a stunning goal in the semi-final against France, leveling the score at 1-1 and starting the Spanish comeback to reach the final. So far, he has three assists and one goal in six games.
But Spain has another player who has been standing out in this Eurocup. Athletic Bilbao player Nico Williams may not draw much attention due to his number of goal participations, but he could make the difference in the final due to the amount of play he generates on the left flank.
At the age of 21, Williams provided the assist for Rodri to equalize the match against Georgia in the round of 16. In the same game, he also scored a great goal in the 4-1 win over his rival. He has made two contributions in five matches, but almost every time he has the ball at his feet, he creates a dangerous situation.
English plays promise to disturb
On the other side, England also has its weapons and is ready to trouble the Spanish. Jude Bellingham, 21, and Bukayo Saka, 22, are two youngsters who play in different positions, but could prove decisive for the English.
It’s no surprise that Jude Bellingham hasn’t had a great European Championship. However, the midfielder always seems to be in the right place at the right time to score a goal when his team needs it most – as he did on several occasions last season for Real Madrid and also in the European tournament.
Bellingham opened the Euros with a decisive goal. With 12 minutes on the clock, he scored to give England a 1-0 victory over Serbia. He then failed to score in two matches until he shone again: early in the first half of extra time, the player scored a bicycle kick to score the goal that gave England a place in the round of 16 against Slovakia.
Our #ThreeLions. Our #EURO2024 finalists! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/xFXHQi3Pcu
— England (@England) July 10, 2024
Bukayo Saka also started the Euros, which is why he is a regular starter for Arsenal. He provided the assist for Bellingham’s goal against Serbia. Like Nico Williams, the winger does not have particularly impressive stats, but he always appears as an option to create danger on the wings.
However, England’s number 7 has already proven that he can turn a match around. In the quarter-finals, the English were losing to Switzerland until the 35th minute of the second half. That was when Saka made a great individual play and scored a beautiful goal to take the game to extra time and penalties, in which England qualified.
Spain and England also have other outstanding young players, such as Dani Olmo and Phil Foden. Overall, both teams have good players and have everything they need to play a great game and decide who will win Euro 2024.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
