
Football
Share
Published 16:35 14 Jul 2024 BST
Updated 18:08 14 Jul 2024 BST

European media have been poking fun of England throughout Euro 2024 and as the final between England and Spain creeps closer, the Spanish papers have enjoyed a cheeky dig at Gareth Southgate’s side.
La Roja will start as favourites having enjoyed a 100%-win record in the tournament so far, breezing past the likes of Croatia, Germany and France en-route to Berlin.
Meanwhile, England have struggled past Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands in the knock-out stages and had to come from behind on several occasions to get results.
The team’s very different routes to the final have led Spanish media to believe the trophy is already theirs and one outlet has taken a swipe at captain Harry Kane.
“Kane never wins anything” one headline read, referring to Kane’s career-long trophy drought, something which he was asked about in his pre-match press conference.
Meanwhile Marca’s headline read: “And for the fourth” referencing Spain’s previous three European Championship wins in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
Whilst Barcelona-based Sport said there was ‘no chemistry’ in attack.
The Spanish manager, De La Fuente, was not quite as confident when speaking at his team’s press conference ahead of the clash.
He said: “There are no favourites. It’s an even match-up, just as our previous knockout games were. If we are not above the level we displayed in those games, we won’t have a chance of winning – and the same if we make mistakes.
“It’s fantastic to be here and we are excited to be in the final. It’s one of the biggest sporting achievements there is. We are relaxed and looking forward to playing.”
He gave Southgate’s side more respect than perhaps even his own fans and press would give by saying the ‘best two teams’ were in the final.
“Sunday will be a complicated game against a great team, between the best two teams, that’s why we are in the final.
“These matches, which are so even, are often decided by the finer details. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will have the best chance of winning.”
Explore more on these topics:
Quiz: Name all 48 qualified teams at the 2026 World Cup
It’s the biggest tournament ever! The 2026 World Cup is already set to be the biggest of its kind in history, with a massive 48 teams competing, including four nations who are making their debuts. While the eight sides that have won World Cups before might be an easy enough start, it’ll take a real […]
Football
1 day ago
Revealed: The Premier League club that have benefited most since VAR was implemented
First place is a real surprise… There can be no doubt that VAR — and whether it makes football stronger — is an issue that divides football fans like no other. As well as occasionally doing its job properly, VAR has the potential to cause chaos, unrest and controversy. Over the course of the 2025/26 […]
Football
1 day ago
Football
Liverpool agree deal for Andoni Iraola
Football