England vs Spain: All you need to know ahead of the Euro 2024 final

England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin after beating the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-final.

England made it to the final three years ago but they lost out on the trophy after a penalty shoot-out with Italy.

To win this time they will have to beat Spain, who have been the best team at Euro 2024 so far and are three-time champions.

The game kicks off at 8pm on Sunday 14 July. Here's how the teams have performed so far and the players to watch.

England's route to the Euro 2024 final

The England men's team will be looking to end their 58-year wait for major silverware.

England kickstarted their campaign with a win against Serbia but then they drew against Denmark and Slovenia.

This was followed by a win against Slovakia and a draw against Switzerland which went to penalties.

There has been criticism of manager Gareth Southgate's tactics and player selection, but England have continued to find a way.

The semi-final against the Netherlands looked like it was heading to extra time until substitutes Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer came on in a double change.

It was seen as a bold move by the England manager, who took off Phil Foden and captain Harry Kane.

The risk paid off as Palmer set up Watkins who scored a goal in the final minute, taking England through to the final.

Spain's route to the Euro 2024 final

While England have been seen to be in the 'easy half' of the Euro 2024 draw, Spain had a difficult route.

In the group stage, they beat 2018 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia and defending European champions Italy.

Then in the quarter-finals they beat hosts Germany and in the semi-finals eliminated 2018 world champions France.

They have won all six games without the need for penalties. No team has managed that in a European Championship before.

They are also the top scorers in the tournament with 13 goals.

Spain have history in the Euros, winning it in 1964, 2008 and 2012. They are bidding to become the first nation to win it four times.

So that's a good track record.

England players to watch - Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka has been scoring key goals for England in the competition, including in the 80th minute in the Switzerland match - make it 1-1 and keeping England in the competition.

He had a goal disallowed against the Netherlands on Wednesday night, but most importantly scored a penalty against Switzerland after missing one in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

He said: "To come back from something like that was really difficult. I used it to make me stronger."

Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins says he's been frustrated being on the bench for England for most of Euro 2024.

The Aston Villa striker says friends told him to stay patient because he still had a big part to play.

After scoring one of the most important goals in England's history on Wednesday night, he said he'd been waiting for that moment "for weeks".

Now his goal has taken England into the final and he could be a key player in the showdown against Spain.

Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie may be England's youngest squad member but the 19-year-old has the best pass percentage of any England midfielder in Germany.

He only had three caps to his name prior to this tournament but is showing why England and Manchester United teammate Luke Shaw believes Mainoo can "achieve anything" and has "the world at his feet".

Spain players to watch - Lamine Yamal

The 16-year-old Barcelona player became the youngest European Championship player ever when he started their opening game against Croatia.

In the semi-final his goal made him the youngest scorer at a Euros or World Cup, breaking Pele's record.

He also broke Pele's record of the youngest player in a semi-final in either tournament.

He has been one of the best players of the competition too, with three assists and 13 chances created.

Nico Williams

Yamal plays on the right wing and on the left has been one of the tournament's other stars, Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, who is only 21.

The pair, who have become close friends, celebrate birthdays in the two days leading up to the final.

Williams currently plays for Barcelona. His pace and skill make him a threat on the counter-attack.

Dani Olmo

Luis de la Fuente's side also have the current leader in the Golden Boot race, which is awarded for the most goals scored in the Euros, midfielder Dani Olmo.

Despite only starting two games, he has scored three goals and made two assists.

Olmo currently plays for German club Leipzig and his goal sent Spain into the Euro 2024 final.

Why is the Euro 2024 ball silver for the final?

The new 'Fussballliebe Finale' ball was introduced in the semi-finals and will be used for the final.

The colours take on black, red and gold of the host nation, Germany.

The white base is replaced with silver, representing the silver colour of the trophy that the winner will get at the end of the tournament.

The silvery ball has been developed and tested to make sure it stands out on the pitch without reflecting light back off the surface.

Adidas says the ball also includes technology that offers accurate data including the speed, spin and distance it travels before hits the back of the net.