All you need to know about the Euro 2024 Final between Spain and England

Fifty matches and 114 goals later, just two squads remain in contention for the Henri Delaunay Cup: World No. 8 Spain and No. 5 England. Three-time champs Spain are back in the final for the first time since their 2012 win after defeating No. 2 France, host country No. 16 Germany, and No. 74 Georgia in the knockout stage.

• Meanwhile, after losing to Italy in the UEFA Euro 2020 final, perennial bridesmaid England is still searching for their first Euro title.

• To make it to today’s match, the Three Lions topped the No. 7 Netherlands, No. 19 Switzerland, and No. 45 Slovakia on the other side of the bracket.

England and Spain’s history dates back to 1929, with England holding the all-time head-to-head edge with 14 wins over Spain in 27 total meetings.

• But the last time these two countries battled? Back in 2018, where each squad emerged with a win across two games in the UEFA Nations League tournament.

Fast forward to 2024 and these two teams have forged very different Euro campaigns. Though both heavy favorites, only one squad rose to the occasion from the very first whistle: Spain. La Roja has scored 13 goals and won every single game so far. And that’s on dominance.

• England, on the other hand, has struggled on offense throughout the tourney but has come in clutch when it mattered, mounting three straight knockout stage comebacks to reach the final.

Top storylines: If Spain wins today, they’ll edge out Germany to become the winningest Euro country ever with four titles. A La Roja victory would also bring a second international fútbol championship to Spain in less than a year — the women’s squad won the 2023 FIFA WWC last August.

Players to watch: If you missed now–17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal’s semis goal, watch this and get back to us. The teen is the youngest player to score at the Euro and will be counted on to strike gold alongside forward Dani Olmo, who’s buried three goals in the last three games and is tied for the lead in the Golden Boot race.

• Things are looking better on defense, too: Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal will be available after being suspended for yellow card accumulation.

• One player up in the air? Captain Álvaro Morata. After being injured in a freak accident involving a security guard after Spain’s semis win, he may not be his best self.

Keys to success: As evidenced by their tourney-leading 13 goals, Spain’s offense is a force to be reckoned with, a testament to the attacking-minded style of play the Spaniards have a reputation for — in 2012, Spain won the highest-scoring Euro final ever, defeating Italy 4–0.

• Even better, La Roja get the job done in 90 minutes, only going into extra time once across their three knockout games.

Key storylines: For England, this final is all about redemption. The Three Lions lost the UEFA Euro 2020 final at home in Wembley Stadium, a brutal defeat that resulted in racist attacks against the team’s Black players after they missed penalty kicks.

• Despite being the birthplace of soccer, England’s, ahem, men haven’t won an international tournament since the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Their women’s squad, however, won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.

• Head coach Gareth Southgate will be looking for amends of his own, having been critiqued throughout the tourney for England’s underperformance. Yes, he’s led England to back-to-back Euro finals, but now he needs to seal the deal.

Players to watch: England boasts serious firepower, though their usually reliable starters (including fan-favorite Jude Bellingham) haven’t exactly lit up the field lately. It came down to late-game substitute striker Ollie Watkins to meet the moment and send England to the finals despite minimal play throughout the tourney.

• Winger Bukayo Saka has also been crucial to the Three Lions’ success, scoring the equalizer in the quarter-finals.

• And despite contending for the Golden Boot with three goals, veteran captain Harry Kane has looked decidedly off in his third Euro campaign. Will he start in the final? TBD.

Keys to success: When England’s attack finds its flow, their world-class strikers are tough to beat, but the squad has only shown glimpses of its genius in this tourney. What they are adept at, though, is a comeback.

• England’s last three come-from-behind victories are a testament to their grit and tenacity, and that shouldn’t be underestimated, especially with a 58-year title drought on the line.

You can catch all the action today at 3 p.m. ET. on Fox in the U.S. and TSN in Canada. Footy, footy, footy, footy, rocking everywhere.