Euros final: England’s road to Berlin

After losing to Italy in the final of the last edition of the European Championship, England will look to go one better when they take on the mighty Spain in Berlin on Sunday.

The Three Lions have never managed to win this competition, with their sole success in international football coming in the World Cup back in 1966.

Manager Gareth Southgate has had his critics but he has managed to guide his side to the brink of glory while making a bit of history.

England have now reached back-to-back European Championship finals for the first time while Sunday will be the first time they contest a major international tournament final on foreign soil.

England breezed through qualifying and entered Euro 2024 as the favourites to go on and lift the trophy but their journey to the final has been far from smooth...

Group Stage

Serbia 0-1 England
Denmark 1-1 England
England 0-0 Slovenia

England boss Southgate had a few decisions to make in regards to his line-up ahead of the opener against Serbia and ultimately he opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation. Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Armstrong was deployed alongside Declan Rice in a holding midfield role, Kieran Trippier started at left-back with Luke Shaw injured and Phil Foden started on the left, with Jude Bellingham taking the central role in England’s attacking midfield three.

Marc Guehi was selected to partner John Stones in the heart of defence, ahead of Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa.

There were questions over Southgate’s preferred tactics and starting XI but the Three Lions made an impressive start against the Serbs. Bellingham gave them a deserved lead after just 13 minutes from Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross with an effort that proved to be the winner.

The same starting XI was named for the second group game against Denmark and skipper Harry Kane opened his account to give England a lead after 18 minutes, but the Danes fought back and were level with 10 minutes of the first half remaining thanks to a fabulous strike from Morten Hjulmand.

After drawing level, Denmark finished the first half strongly and they looked the more likely team to go on and grab a winner after the interval but England held on for a draw.

Conor Gallagher replaced Alexander-Arrnold in the final group game against Slovenia in one change to the England side. The move proved largely ineffective, however, as they played out a dull 0-0 draw with the central Europeans - despite Gallagher being replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo. Still, the result ensured England progressed as Group C winners on five points, with Slovenia also reaching the knockout stages as one of the best ranked third-placed teams.

Round of 16 

England 2-1 Slovakia (after extra-time)

England came up against Slovakia in the last 16 and this time Mainoo came in to midfield for his first tournament start, with Gallagher making way.

Southgate’s men were the heavy favourites but nearly fell victims to a huge upset as Ivan Schranz broke the deadlock after 25 minutes to give Slovakia a surprise lead.

The score remained the same until deep into stoppage time when Bellingham, who had been quiet all game, scored a sensational overhead kick to send the game into extra time.

With just one minute of extra time played, Kane was on hand to head England into the lead as they managed to triumph 2-1.

Quarter-finals

England 1-1 Switzerland
*England win 5-3 on penalties

Southgate decided to switch his tactics in the last eight tie with Switzerland, who had dumped out holders Italy in the previous round, as England lined up with a 3-4-2-1 formation with Konsa replacing the suspended Guehi in defence

It was a welcome move and one that allowed Foden to join Bellingham in a more central role behind Kane with Trippier and Saka providing the width, but after a fairly even first 45 minutes the Swiss began to dominate.

With 15 minutes of normal time remaining Breel Embolo put Switzerland ahead. England managed to draw level five minutes later thanks to a sweet strike from Saka from just outside the penalty area.

Neither side was able to find a winner after extra time and a penalty shoot-out was required. Cole Palmer stepped up and scored the opening spot kick before Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji was denied by Jordan Pickford. Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney and finally Alexander-Arnold all converted for England to send them into the last four.

Semi-finals

Netherlands 1-2 England

Guehi returned from suspension to be restored to England's backline as Southgate stuck with the same set-up he used in the previous round.

England found themselves behind after just seven minutes when Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons dispossessed Rice before firing home a thunderous effort to give the Dutch a lead.

The Three Lions were awarded a controversial penalty in the 18th minute as Kane was adjudged to have been fouled by Denzel Dumfries as he got his shot away. The Bayern striker stepped up and slotted home from the spot-kick himself to draw England level.

England dominated for large periods as Foden was denied by the woodwork and then by Dumfries on the line. 

The Netherlands had a bit more success after the restart as England keeper Jordan Pickford was called into action and Dumfries rattled the bar with a header.

As 90 minutes ticked over and with extra-time looming large, substitute Ollie Watkins turned his man and sent the ball into the far corner to send England into Sunday’s final.