The key clashes in the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England

Spain, with a 100% campaign, and England, which is at its best, will play this Sunday (13) in Berlin, at 4 pm (Brasília time), the grand final of Euro 2024.

Spain is fighting for its fourth European title, which would put it at the top of the list of champions, above three-time champions Germany. England, world champions in 1966, are looking to win their first Euro and end their uncomfortable 58-year drought without a title.

The decision, which promises to be fierce, will also have specific duels in different areas of the field.

Harry Kane vs Aymeric Laporte

Will Harry Kane be able to end his curse by winning the first title of his career? The Bayern Munich striker, who has scored 44 goals in 45 games this season, his first for the Bavarian club, has been unable to continue his good form at the European Championship in Germany, a tournament he arrived at with great expectations.

Despite the fatigue, also felt by other big stars of the tournament, Kane is joint-leader of the Euro scorers with three goals, tied with Spaniard Dani Olmo.

The former Tottenham player knows Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte well, having had several duels with him when both players were playing in the Premier League.

One of Kane’s most brilliant performances for Tottenham was the double in the 3-2 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in February 2022, with the ‘Roja’ first-choice defender at the heart of the ‘Citizens’ defence.

Laporte has since swapped England for Saudi Arabia, but the Al Nassr defender has proven he is still capable of performing at the highest level.

Spanish wingers vs English full-backs

The two Spanish phenomena, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, will once again be Luis de la Fuente’s main weapons against Gareth Southgate’s full-backs.

If the English coach sticks with his 3-4-3, the ones responsible for stopping them will be Bukayo Saka and Luke Shaw.

The Manchester United full-back has just overcome a five-month injury layoff and Saka, despite being praised by Southgate for his defensive work, remains a striker.

Experienced Kyle Walker, deployed in a three-man defence, should help Saka keep Williams, a constant threat down the left, in check.

Bukayo Saka vs Marc Cucurella

But where the young Arsenal player is expected to shine is in his more attacking role, which is where the equaliser against Switzerland came from.

Opposite him will be Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, who has been convincing in the left-back position despite the setbacks he has suffered in London over the past two seasons.

Cucurella, who has lost in previous games against Saka, will look to contain his opponent in his own half, reducing the Englishman’s attacking impact and forcing him to focus on defensive duties.

Rodri vs Jude Bellingham

And in midfield, in addition to a European Championship, the next Ballon d’Or could be decided.

A key player in Manchester City’s recent successes, Rodri led Spain to the final and has only lost one game in the last 79 he has played, counting those for his club and the Spanish national team.

Having already won the 2023 Nations League, being named Player of the Tournament, a new continental triumph would put him among the favorites for the Ballon d’Or.

On the opposite side will be Bellingham, who already defeated Rodri in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, in which he was crowned champion with Real Madrid.

Having enjoyed an exceptional first half of the season, Bellingham won LaLiga and the Champions League and is looking to add a first English title in 58 years to his personal trophy cabinet, just days after celebrating his 21st birthday.

The long season seemed to weigh on the youngster during the tournament games in Germany, but if England reached the final it was thanks to an unforgettable bicycle kick in the last moments of injury time (90’+5) against Slovakia, which saved the ‘Three Lions’ from a tough elimination in the round of 16.