The top 10 facts and stats you need to know ahead of the Euro 2024 Final
By Ben Gray
England: Comeback kings
England have remarkably made the final despite trailing against Slovakia in the round of 16, Switzerland in the quarter-finals and Netherlands in the semis. This makes the Three Lions the first team in European Championship history to appear in the final, despite falling behind in both the quarters and semis.
Looking at other tournaments, namely World Cups (men's and women's), Euros (men's and women's), Copa América, CONCACAF Gold Cup, AFC Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations, only three teams have ever won any of those competitions having gone behind in both the quarters and semis. Amazingly, Japan are responsible for all three of these triumphs, all at Asian Cups, doing so in 2000, 2004 and 2011. So England fans, if Spain do go in front on Sunday, there's no need to panic.
Spain slaying European juggernauts
At this tournament, Spain have become the first team in World Cup and Euros history to beat Italy, Germany and France all at the same edition, now looking to add England to this list.
England's late late show
Ollie Watkins' winner at Westfalenstadion on Wednesday, hitting the net bang on 90 minutes, was the latest goal ever scored in a Euros semi-final (excluding extra time of course), beating Philipp Lahm's winner against Turkey at St. Jakob-Park in 2008 by about 45 seconds.
Having been played in-behind by Cole Palmer, who'd come on alongside Watkins nine minutes earlier, this is the first time two substitutes have combined for an England goal in the knockout stages of a major tournament ever. Gareth Southgate gets widely criticised for his substitutions, but it would appear he got this double change, bravely hooking Phil Foden and Harry Kane, spot-on.
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