We meet again – England & Spain set for ‘amazing’ Euro 2025 final

England experienced heartache two years ago, but now they have a chance to recover.

The Lionesses will face Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2025 final due to their extra-time victory over Germany. It’s a repeat of Spain’s World Cup triumph from 2023.

They were the world’s two best sides 24 months ago, and they continue to be so.

Ellen White, a member of the team that defeated Germany in the Euro 2022 final, said, “It’s going to be incredible.

It’s a one-time affair,” he said. That match-up is truly amazing to watch on England’s day when they can defeat anyone, and Spain’s day when they can defeat anyone.

” I’m so excited. “

England are competing to defend their European crown while this stunning Spanish team, who also won the Nations League in 2024, is aiming to win a treble of major titles.

Steph Houghton, an ex-Lionesses captain, added, “I’m just so buzzing for the girls.” With the squad we have, there is no reason we can’t defeat Spain.

England had high hopes of putting their first women’s major tournament together in Sydney when they defeated Germany at Euro 2022, which they had won 13 months prior.

It wasn’t meant to be.

A talented and innovative Spanish side outshined the Lionesses, who were hoping to win the first senior England team since the men’s team won the 1966 World Cup.

In the first half, Spain’s Olga Carmona capitalized on the England’s Lucy Bronze’s midfield failure to score a winner past Mary Earps.

Would it be possible to do it again on Sunday? Not necessarily.

Spain won their most recent meeting 2-1 on June 3rd, but England was the last to defeat the world champions in a match at Wembley in February.

The Lionesses have lost just five of their 19 matches of competition overall, which is a respectable result.

Former England defender Fara Williams said on BBC One, “I don’t think England will see themselves as underdogs because they are European champions.”

Spain did indeed defeat them in the World Cup final, but this is their trophy. They must give it to the authorities, which they won’t want to do. They won’t lie and ease Spain’s burden.

They “know they can defeat Spain,” I believe.

Houghton agrees.

England’s starting lineup for Tuesday’s victory over Italy included seven of the 11 who started for Spain in the World Cup final.

However, the Lionesses squad underwent significant changes since that time, some even dating back to June.

Sarina Wiegman had to deal with her World Cup captain’s withdrawal and two senior international retirements in the ten days leading up to her squad’s announcement last month.

Earps, the first goalkeeper, announced her shock international retirement, then Fran Kirby, the second, followed a week later, and Millie Bright made herself unavailable for selection on the day of the squad’s confirmation.

Earps herself described it as “a new era and a new England team,” with super-sub Michelle Agyemang only winning for the first time this year.

Pressure, according to Williams, will be a problem for this “new” England side.

Spain’s squad, in contrast, is familiar, despite the fact that they are now under the leadership of a different Montse Tome manager.

Tome served as Jorge Vilda’s assistant in 2023, which means that both the coaching philosophy and setup have remained consistent.

Aitana Bonmati, the reigning champion of the Ballon d’Or final and semi-finalist, will continue to win despite a pre-tournament bout of viral meningitis, while Alexia Putellas, a two-time winner, will continue to shine after starting the World Cup final on the bench.

One of the stars of Euro 2025 is Esther Gonzalez, who was a 2023 unused substitute, who is on the verge of capturing the Golden Boot.

However, Jenni Hermoso is a notable absentee in that final despite missing a penalty.

Hermoso was kissed by former Spanish football federation boss Luis Rubiales without her consent after receiving the medal that won her World Cup.

To halt a Spain side that has a history of dominating and controlling the game, England manager Wiegman must devise a game plan.

In their semi-final victory over Germany, they had almost 67% of the possession, but it wasn’t always simple.

Williams said that sometimes I feel frustrated when watching the first Spanish team play. That’s not how they like it.

They take time and faith in their actions. At times, they were forced to go direct.

We did witness their opposite side,” she said. They have only faced a real challenge in this competitive game, which is an intense game. Germany gave them that today, so they’ll be appreciative of the standard they need in a final.

The key role, according to former Germany defender Josie Henning, will be in midfield.