Gareth Southgate is confident England have enough character and knowhow to play the “tactically perfect” game that will be vital to becoming European champions at Spain’s expense on Sunday.
Southgate, who is wary of Luis de la Fuente’s side having an extra day to prepare for the showpiece in Berlin, did not downplay the size of the task that awaits England after they reached their first major final on foreign soil thanks to Wednesday’s victory over the Netherlands.
Spain are favourites and there was nothing but respect from him for opponents who have played the best football at Euro 2024. Southgate, however, has a battle-hardened team and said he had learned from England’s defeat by Italy in the final three years ago, but the 53-year-old would not go along with the notion that Spain’s lack of experience could be a weakness.
“They have won a few trophies,” he said. “They are a bloody good side. Let’s pitch it right. We have got to be perfect to win this game and we will have to find everything that we have got from within us.
“We have got players who have played lots of big matches so they will know what is required on the night but in the next couple of days we have got to get perfectly prepared as it is such a quick turnaround.”
Southgate hopes England’s spirit, underlined by Ollie Watkins coming on to score his late winner against the Netherlands, will give them a chance of winning the country’s first major trophy in the men’s game since the 1966 World Cup. But he knows how hard it will be to stop Spain.
“They would rightly be favourites for what they have done this tournament,” he said, also highlighting that the winning semi-finalists that played first have won the past three Euros.
“They have been the best team. They have got a day longer and in the last three finals it has been quite significant, so we have got to get our recovery spot on. Tactically, we will have to be perfect as they are such a good side.
“But we are here. The players have shown togetherness and spirit. Ollie being ready for his moment – he has trained like that the whole tournament and his head has never dropped. It is so powerful for them as a group when the subs keep having the impact. There are moments of them being the headline writer and making the difference and that is really powerful.”
Declan Rice said England’s players wanted to win it for Southgate, who has been under immense pressure since the start of the tournament. “It’s poised to be a great final and another great night,” the midfielder said. “Hopefully we can do it. Not only for each other but also for the manager. He deserves it.”
Southgate, whose contract expires in December, endured supporters booing him and hurling plastic beer cups in his direction after England’s group-stage draw with Slovenia. “There is a lot to take in, a lot in my mind,” he said. “I am delighted for the supporters here [at the semi-final]. They were incredible. When we have got the supporters with us, as they are now, the energy that brings is immense.”
The manager, who will make checks on Kieran Trippier after the defender went off with a groin injury at half-time against the Netherlands, praised his assistant, Steve Holland.
“I could not do it without him,” he said. “He is a fantastic balance for me. His strengths eat up my weaknesses. He is so meticulous in his preparation. We have grown so close. The trust between us is immense and I could not have anybody better alongside me. He has won the Champions League [with Chelsea], he has won the Premier League, everything. He is a proud Englishman like me and there is one medal missing.”
Rice remembered his promise to have his first taste of beer if England had won the last Euros. “Since that time I’ve had a beer but I had it with a bit of lemonade,” he said. “If we win I’ll have a proper beer. I’ll probably have to hold my nose as I hate the smell.
“What a night [against the Netherlands]. It was so emotional and meant everything. I’ve been in this position before and it feels just as good. When Prince William came into St George’s Park he said it would be a rollercoaster and that this tournament is brutal. That’s what it’s been from the first minute. Now we’re in another final.”
