Luke Shaw will start his first game since February when England play Spain in tonight’s Euro 2024 final.
Gareth Southgate’s key decision for the clash in Berlin came down to whether Kieran Trippier would continue at left wing-back, or if Manchester United defender Shaw had done enough to prove his fitness for such a showpiece game.
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Trippier has started every one of England’s games in Germany while Shaw has been recovering from a hamstring injury, although he appeared off the bench in the last two matches.
Southgate confirmed before this evening’s final that “everyone is fit” and Shaw is in the XI for his first start at a Euros since scoring England’s goal in the last final, against Italy at Wembley three years ago.
Elsewhere, amid a battle to keep his players free of fatigue in a quick turnaround since the semi-final win over the Netherlands, Southgate is has stuck with the same line-up.
Harry Kane remains in the team ahead of semi-final hero Ollie Watkins, with Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden for support in attack. Bukayo Saka lines up on the right wing in a deeper role.
Kobbie Mainoo has earned his place in the line-up having been a substitute at the start of Euro 2024 and he’ll partner Declan Rice in midfield.
Jordan Pickford starts in goal behind the defence of Kyle Walker, John Stones and Marc Guehi, who returned to the XI against the Dutch after a ban for the quarter-final.
England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Foden, Bellingham; Kane
Time and date: 8pm BST, Sunday July 14, 2024
Venue: Olympiastadion, Berlin
TV channel: BBC One & ITV
