By Spain and England, two giants of international soccer, are set to clash in the Euro 2024 final, marking their second consecutive major tournament final meeting following the Women’s World Cup in 2023. Despite their soccer pedigrees, this matchup is not traditionally considered a classic rivalry, but recent high-stakes encounters may be changing that perception.
The history between these two nations on the soccer field dates back to 1929, with 27 meetings recorded since then. While not as storied as other international rivalries, several memorable moments stand out:
Stuart Pearce’s Redemption (Euro ’96): In a dramatic quarterfinal, Pearce’s emotional penalty conversion helped England win a shootout against Spain, exorcising his demons from the 1990 World Cup semifinal loss to Germany.
Gary Lineker’s Four-Goal Masterclass (1987): Lineker delivered an exceptional performance in Madrid, scoring all four goals in England’s 4-2 friendly win over Spain. His display showcased his lethal finishing ability, particularly inside the six-yard box.
Telmo Zarra’s World Cup Winner (1950): Spain eliminated England from the 1950 World Cup with a 1-0 victory at the Maracana, thanks to a goal from La Liga legend Telmo Zarra.
Record Victories: England’s largest win came in 1931 with a 7-1 thrashing of Spain at Highbury. Spain’s biggest triumph was a 3-0 victory in Madrid in 1960, featuring stars like Alfredo Di Stefano and Francisco Gento.
As these teams prepare for the Euro 2024 final, they enter relatively unfamiliar territory. Their last competitive meeting was in 2018 during the Nations League qualifiers, and their most recent major tournament encounter was at Euro ’96. This lack of recent history adds an element of unpredictability to the final.
Spain has been lauded as the tournament’s standout team, while England has shown remarkable resilience, coming from behind in all their knockout stage matches. The contrasting styles and paths to the final set the stage for an intriguing battle.
This Euro 2024 final, following closely on the heels of their Women’s World Cup final matchup, could mark the beginning of a new, significant rivalry in international soccer. As these two soccer powerhouses vie for European supremacy, fans around the world eagerly anticipate what promises to be a thrilling encounter, potentially writing a new chapter in the sporting history between Spain and England.
The Associated Press
