Euro 2024: B/R Staff Final Predictions

Europe's best will be on display in the Euros 2024 Final in Berlin on Sunday.

A gutsy England side will be facing the team that has been playing the most attractive soccer at the tournament, Spain.

Will the Three Lions put to rest the ghosts of 1966? Or will the La Roja usher in a new generation of Spanish dominance on the world stage?

The B/R World Football team comes together to predict the winner of Sunday's match.

Do you have your own thoughts on the game? Submit them now in the comments section of the app!

Spain has won all but one game over the course of 90 minutes during the tournament, and La Roja secured victory in extra-time in the other.

England, by comparison, had an underwhelming group-stage performance—two draws and one win—and relied on late-game heroics to win two of three knockout-round games. The Three Lions also needed penalties to get past Switzerland.

Spain's path to the final has been altogether more serene, which is especially impressive considering the caliber of its opponents has been much higher in the knockouts.

So, Spain is to win it all, right?

Well, not so fast.

England has steadily improved as the tournament has progressed, thanks to increased familiarity among players and small tactical tweaks. Manager Gareth Southgate has received some—perhaps warranted—criticism over the last four weeks, but this is England's second consecutive Euros final appearance under his gaze, and that counts for a lot.

With the coach and players wanting to make up for the Euro 2020 loss to Italy, and end a trophy drought that is approaching its 60th year, England will play with a chip on its collective shoulder. Resilience and confidence born from late equalizers and game-winners, as well as a shootout win, will also provide a feeling of invincibility that should serve the team well in a high-pressure environment.

Spain's stars of the tournament—Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams—will need to be kept in check, but England's "grind it out and grab a clutch goal" formula might be well-suited to a match against a Spain side that has largely had its own way during the competition.

Prediction: England win 2-1 after extra-time

- Leo Collis

Football could very well be 'coming home' for England.

After starting the tournament with high expectations, the group stage was not kind to Gareth Southgate's men. Though the team began well with a pragmatic 1-0 win vs. Serbia, the Three Lions struggled in subsequent games, drawing their final two group matches against Denmark and Slovenia.

Then came the knockout rounds, where confidence waned. It took stoppage-time goals from Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to lift England past Slovakia. The squad continued to flounder in the quarter-finals, just nearly beating Switzerland on penalties.

But something magical happened in the semi-finals: England looked determined.

Whether it was the momentous occasion or a new-look formation, the Three Lions displayed a brand of football that warranted a berth in the final.

The defensive trio of Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Marc Guehi were sturdy. The midfield double pivot of Declan Rice and teenage phenom Kobbie Mainoo are a revelation. Additionally, the smart late-game substitution of Ollie Watkins was something Southgate should be applauded for.

Although Southgate has had his critics, he has been extraordinarily practical yet unafraid to switch it up tactically when needed.

His tactical flexibility and the abundance of talent on the bench give England a solid chance of defeating Spain.

Prediction: 2-1 to England

- Alex Windley

Nations that start slowly often go on to win tournaments. Spain know this very well, but they've been the best team all the way through and will head into Sunday's final knowing they are heavy favourites.

England started awfully. Boringly. Without life. Despite the old adage and an uptick in form since the switch to three-at-the-back, I can't see Gareth Southgate's side pulling it off.

Humour me for a second, though. I'm an Englishman. I'm used to seeing the team fail and watching Spain win. All the omens point towards the same again. We can't actually pull it off, can we?

Southgate needs to solve the Three Lions' problems down the left side if they're to have any chance. Lamine Yamal will roast Kieran Trippier, who was substituted at the break against the Netherlands, but it's hard to judge how much Luke Shaw has in him. The first-choice full-back is still working his way to fitness after months out and has improved the side's balance during his two sub appearances in Germany.

Shutting down Rodri and Fabian Ruiz will also rank chief among Southgate's tasks. Kobbie Mainoo and Phil Foden shared an electric spark against the Dutch, neatly skipping away from players, threading passes to one another and crucially, moving forward together. They need to stop their Spanish counterparts from doing the same as they continue to control matches for La Roja.

As a nation, England is crying out for a win. Whatever happens, this will be Southgate's conclusion after a historic tenure. One last moment to immortalise himself. The story would be beautiful, but football isn't often like that. Spain are the best side in this competition and will walk away with the trophy.

Prediction: 2-0, Spain

- Nick Akerman

Everything has lined up for England during this tournament.

A somewhat easier road to the Final, late goals to salvage wins and even a penalty-shootout victory.

That ends on Sunday.

Gareth Southgate has to be commended for leading his team to back-to-back Euro Finals. But where Southgate has been found lacking is in the biggest of games where his tactical inflexibility ended up being England's demise.

England took the lead against Italy in the 2020 Euro Final at Wembley, only to inexplicably drop back and allow the Azzurri to set the tone for the rest of the match.

Reverting to type against Spain would be the Three Lions' demise in the Final. The Spanish have the firepower to break down a stubborn defense with youthful Lamine Yamal and Nico Willams providing the moments of magic.

But where the game will be won is in midfield. And Rodri will be the decider.

The Manchester City defensive midfielder is the best in the world at his position, dictating the play and breaking out opponents' attacks. Physically strong and technically impeccable, Rodri has had plenty of battles in midfield against the likes of Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo. More often than not, Rodri comes out on type.

Even throughout the run to the Final, England have failed to convince, never truly putting in a full 90-minute performance. The pick here says they won't again.

Prediction: Spain 3, England 1

- Lucky Ngamwajasat