Spain Vs. England: Three Key Fights That Can Determine Euro 2024 Final

The finals of Euro 2024, Spain vs England, promised a fun battle in 3 lines. (photo: eufa.com)

JAKARTA - Reaching the Euro 2024 final is a collective effort for a full-star squad from England and Spain, but the final result can be determined by who won the individual fight on Sunday night, July 14 at the Olympic Stadium, Berlin.

Lamine Yamal and Kobbie Mainoo have impressed this summer, Dani Olmo and Harry Kane have both scored three goals, while experienced players like Dani Carvajal, John Stones, and Rodri will also play a big role in Berlin. But which head-to-head fights might ultimately determine?

Nico Williams vs. Kyle Walker

Spain's fast-wing striker, has brought in the much-needed dynamics to possibly the team with the best passing capabilities in Europe, and Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have started Euro 2024 with a series of impressive performances so far.

Athletic Club star Williams - who is 21 years old, is a senior in the couple's friendship - flying up and down on La Roja's left side, with his direct drabling putting the opponent under pressure and forcing the defense to go down long.

In collaboration with the often overlap full-back, Marc Cucurella, has helped Spain dominate the side this summer, thus facing full-backs while Bukayo Saka could offer an opportunity to open up a generally strong England defense.

It is estimated that Williams will soon leave Bilbao and join one of Europe's top clubs, and other outstanding performances this weekend will increase his selling price - more importantly, it could also help secure Spain's first success since 2012.

Assuming England remains with their new back three, it will be a team effort to stop Williams on track, and as Saka naturally prefers to attack, the very experienced Kyle Walker will be called up to help when needed.

Walker has a long record of limiting fast forwards to clubs and countries, and despite being more than a decade older than Williams, his pace has not diminished with time.

After bagging Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior in the past, a similar performance may be needed to keep the young Spanish star quiet.

The Manchester City mainstay has played every minute of England's Euro 2024 campaign so far - initially at right-back, then at right-back three - and will definitely be ready for the challenge.

Marc Cucurella vs. Bukayo Saka

While Saka may be busy with threats from Williams, he still hopes to move forward when possible and contribute to the better UK attacks.

After failing to execute an important penalty in England's Euro 2020 final defeat, the 22-year-old has bounced back brilliantly with Arsenal, and his catarcist goal against Switzerland in the quarter-finals this year - plus the next penalty conversion - is worth it.

Floating from the right and firing a shot that was perfectly placed was Saka's expertise, so the Spanish defense had to stay alert and close it quickly.

Because he likes to come into space when his opponent gets caught up in the front, taking chances to give him a cross or set up a team-mate could see Saka play a big role in securing the first European Cup trophy for his country.

Not expected to be included in the Spanish squad, let alone play an integral role at their starting XI, Marc Cucurella has become one of the surprise stars at Euro this time.

The full-back Chelsea was criticized by fans themselves last season, after failing to prove a transfer value of▁sebaliknya63 million by the Royal London club in 2022, but when Luis de la Fuente lost Jose Gaya to an injury before the tournament, he was called up to replace the Valencia defender.

Holding back tight competition from Bayer Leverkusen's assist engine, Alex Grimaldo, to appear at left-back, the 25-year-old has started five of Spain's six games so far, only sidelined when all 10 field players were rested for their final group game.

Cucurella only had four senior caps before leaving for Germany, but her understanding of Williams turned out to be one of La Roja's best weapons - however, keeping Saka silent would be a very tough task.

Rodri vs. Jude Bellingham

Tracing the midfield calmly and confidently, Rodri is key in a Spanish machine that runs smoothly like at Manchester City, where he has had almost unbroken success since arriving in England.

Now facing some of the familiar faces, he will start Sunday's game after losing just once in his last 79 games for club or country - and his partnership with the elegant Fabian Ruiz has helped La Roja near glory.

Operating together behind three Spanish strikers and Pedri or, recently, Dani Olmo, they have set the tempo and left opponents starving for possession of the ball.

At the peak of his 28-year-old performance, Rodri not only created a few chances and provided assists on his way to the final, but he also regularly snatched the ball at a rare time when Spain lost him.

Winning a midfield battle could see England give up, so Gareth Southgate's team must have planned to limit Rodri's movement and keep him locked in half the pitch itself.

The 3-4-2-1 formation discovered by Britain should have seen Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham face off against the Spanish machine duo, which promises a seizure of the supremacy that absorbs in a third of the midfield.

Bellingham beat Rodri's Manchester City in the Champions League last season, then won European top club prizes after finishing first in La Liga, and now he has a desire to close his gold year with a win at Euro 2024.

Amazing equalizer goals in extra time against Slovakia may have kept England in competition, but after talking about fatigue and often under its best form, the Stourbridge-born star has to spend every remaining energy to beat Rodri once again.