Good evening and welcome to our live minute-by-minute coverage of the
Euro 2024 final between
Spain and England... what an incredible match to finish the tournament!
Just about 30 minutes until kickoff in Berlin, so let's kick off with the team news...
SPAIN: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata
SUBS: Raya, Remiro, Nacho, Grimaldo, Navas, Vivian, Zubimendi, Merino, Fermin, Baena, Joselu, Oyarzabal, Torres
ENGLAND: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Bellingham, Foden; Kane
SUBS: Ramsdale, Henderson, Dunk, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Konsa, Trippier, Wharton, Eze, Gallagher, Watkins, Toney, Palmer, Gordon, Bowen
Spain's team shows two changes from the one that started the quarter-final against France, with Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand returning from suspension, leading to Jesus Navas and Nacho dropping down to the bench.
Pedri is injured, but Alvaro Morata is fit to lead the line despite concerns over a knee problem which he appeared to suffer in a bizarre incident after the clash with France, when a security guard fell into him during the post-match celebrations.
Lamine Yamal turned 17 on Saturday, and he will be bidding to create more history tonight. What a superstar he is!
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As for England, their side shows one change from the clash against Netherlands, and it comes on the left, as Luke Shaw replaces Kieran Trippier.
It will once again be a 3-4-2-1 formation for England, with Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden operating behind the captain Harry Kane.
When asked about bringing Shaw into the side, Southgate told BBC Sport: "He is an experienced played and we feel we have managed his return well. He gives us that balance in the team on the left hand side.
"Kieran Trippier has been brilliant for the team and the way he has handled the last few weeks has been top class."
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Ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand agrees with Southgate's call to bring Shaw in, telling
BBC Sport: "Gareth Southgate will have thought long and hard about choosing between Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier.
"Lamine Yamal likes to cut inside on his left foot, onto Trippier's right, so defensively you would understand him going that way. However Shaw offers that balance to the team that we have lacked in games without him."
This statistic is simply brilliant btw...
Little over 15 minutes until kickoff here, and the atmosphere inside the stadium is simply sensational. It is almost like a home game for England. The Three Lions have not been at their best this summer, but they are here, and this is a 50/50 game despite Spain's excellence.
England underwhelmed in the group stage, but they managed to top their section before beating Slovakia, Switzerland and Netherlands in the knockout round.
That has taken them to Berlin. Will it be Southgate's final match in charge?
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Spain have been the outstanding team at Euro 2024, beating Croatia, Italy and Albania in the group stage of the competition, before overcoming Georgia, Germany and France in the knockout rounds.
La Roja have had the tougher run to the final, and they have won all six of their matches. Spain are bidding to win what would be a record fourth European Championship title tonight.
Just about 10 minutes until the final. It all comes down to this. There are so many side stories tonight, but it is Spain against England, and there can only be one winner.
Will a new hero emerge?
England will surely need to be better than they have been thus far at Euro 2024 if they are to triumph, as Spain are a brilliant outfit. La Roja also know what is required to get over the line.
Last pre-match Yamal stat I promise...
Here we go then. The players have emerged from the tunnel. The national anthems will soon get underway. The final is upon us, and I cannot wait. What an occasion here!
England's national anthem is up first here...
... now it is Spain's turn.
The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken. All of the talking is over. It is now up to the players. Spain or England? De la Fuente or Southgate? Kickoff is next here!
KICKOFF: England kick us off here...
... England immediately look down the right, with Pickford delivering long towards Saka, but it goes behind for a Spain goal kick. The atmosphere inside the stadium really is sensational.
Shaw wins his first battle against Yamal, knocking the Barcelona teenager to the ground in the process, but you can be sure that the 17-year-old will come back time and time again.
Spain are looking to control the possession early on here, which is not a surprise. England are dropping into their shape, though, and look relatively comfortable in there. Shaw again wins his battle against Yamal, which will give England plenty of confidence early here.
Pass, pass, pass from Spain, who have been the better outfit in the first seven minutes. England, though, are not overly concerned at this moment in time. Cagey start here.
England have not yet managed to break clear, but the opportunity will be there at some stage, as Spain are pushing really high. No doubt that La Roja have started the better here, with Williams looking dangerous down the left. Ruiz has also been impressive in midfield.
England deliver a deep free kick into the Spain box, but Guehi pushes Rodri to the ground, and Spain are able to gather control of the ball once again here.
CLOSE! Some concern over Walker here, who stays down after a challenge, but he should be able to continue. Le Normand then hooks one behind from a corner, with Spain having a half-chance.
Trippier is warming up here amid the concerns over Walker, but it does appear that the Manchester City defender will be able to continue. Still all square in the final.
Walker breaks into a dangerous position for England, and his low cross is cleared behind by Laporte. Much better for England, who have their first corner of the match...
... Rodri does really well to clear the danger.
Rodri again does brilliantly to block a strike from Rice, before Cucurella clears at the far post. England are suddenly turning up the heat here, with Foden also involved.
Shaw again wins a personal battle with Yamal. He's been brilliant.
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Much more of an even game at the moment, with England relatively comfortable in their shape, while Spain have been forced to make some clearances over the last few minutes. Shaw has been England's standout player thus far, while Rodri has been excellent for Spain.
Some thoughts from Senior Reporter Ben Knapton..."Unlike the semi-final, this has been a much more tentative start from the Three Lions, who have conceded the lion's share of possession to Spain, albeit while defending resolutely - John Stones and Declan Rice have done their bits to snuff out attacks. While Nico Williams is looking lively on the left, Lamine Yamal is yet to get the better of Luke Shaw, making his first England start in over 12 months. Southgate's risky call is paying off so far, but this one is still waiting to explode into life."
Not too much happening at the moment. We are still waiting for the first major chance here. Spain are controlling the possession, but England will also be relatively comfortable.
Carvajal is on his last warning here after pulling Saka to the ground...
YELLOW CARD! Kane picks up the first yellow of the match for a late tackle on Ruiz.
Mainoo is throwing his weight around in midfield at the moment, with the Manchester United youngster starting to make his mark, but he is up against two wonderful players in the shape of Rodri and Ruiz. It remains goalless in the Euro 2024 final with 27 minutes on the clock.
Ruiz will be able to continue here despite limping after that Kane tackle.
SAVE! Ruiz strikes one towards goal, but it deflects off Guehi and into the arms of Pickford. Good work from Spain there, but again England manage to deal with the danger.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining here. Bellingham has just attempted to gather a long pass down the left, but Carvajal is across to deal with the danger.
YELLOW CARD! Olmo is in the book for Spain for a foul on Rice.
Rice is still down here, it was a nasty kick in his stomach from Olmo.
Stop-start game at the moment, with the referee being forced to intervene due to some late tackles. Little over 10 minutes until the end of the first period, and it has flown past.
Laporte wants a penalty, as Rice pulls him to the ground, but the referee is not interested and VAR agree. Spain have another corner, but England again deal with it, as Kane blocks Olmo's shot.
Spain are on the front foot at the moment, but we are still waiting for the first serious chance of the match. England just need to find a way to relieve some of the pressure.
We have not seen too much from Foden and Bellingham in this first period, with Spain dealing with the England duo, but the Three Lions are having some possession in the Spain half in the latter stages of the first period. Stones has just burst forward, but Spain clear.
Williams breaks clear down the left, but he has to cut back, and Spain look to go down the other side. Nothing to separate the two teams in the opening half of action.
Morata has just broken into the England box, but Stones and Guehi between them manage to make the clearance, as Spain have another corner here.
England have a free kick in a dangerous area, as Williams fouls Walker...
CHANCE! ... best chance of the match! The ball comes to Foden at the far post following a deep free kick, but Simon is on hand to make a smart save. Foden got good contact on the ball!
We are into the second of two added minutes at the end of the first period.
HALF TIME: SPAIN 0-0 ENGLAND
All square at the half-time break. In truth, it has not been the best watch so far. The clearest chance of the half came moments ago, with Simon keeping out Foden's effort.
Spain have dominated the possession, having 65% of the ball, while they have had five attempts to England's three. Just the one attempt on target, which was Foden's effort late in the first period. Both managers will be content with what they have seen thus far.
Some thoughts from Senior Reporter Ben Knapton..."So far, so good from a defensive point of view from England; Pickford has only had one save to make, and even then Marc Guehi took the sting out of Fabian Ruiz's drive. Up until that late Phil Foden chance, it had been a different story at the other end, where Robin Le Normand has stood out in the Spain backline. As expected, Rodri has been here, there and everywhere too. Without a moment of magic, this one will surely go the distance."
Shaw has been brilliant thus far tonight.
It would be a shock to see any changes at the interval, but it will be interesting to see which manager looks to their bench first if it stays 0-0 for the opening 20, 25 minutes of the second period.
Just about five minutes away from the start of the second period here. Something has to give, and you do get the feeling that one goal might be enough to win it. At the moment, it does appear that this one could go all the way. Penalties would be fairly nervy!
England need an outlet at centre-forward, but Kane is not providing it. Southgate is unlikely to replace his captain unless it is absolutely necessary, though, so it is a tough one. Could Watkins have another big part to play after his semi-final heroics?
Not long until the start of the second period here. The substitutes have been out warming up, and Spain are going to make a half-time change here, with Zubimendi coming on.
Suggestions that Rodri might be the player being replaced. Wow.
SPAIN SUB! Zubimendi is replacing Rodri, who is surely injured. What a huge blow for Spain here! England must take so much confidence from that change.
KICKOFF: Spain restart the contest here.
No word of the issue for Rodri, but it simply has to be a fitness problem, as he is his country's most important player. It is a huge blow for La Roja, but Zubimendi is a super player.
A Real Sociedad midfielder who is admired by the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona.
GOAL! SPAIN 1-0 ENGLAND (WILLIAMS)
Oh my goodness me - what a goal! Spain make the breakthrough early in the second period as Yamal sets up Williams, who places one into the bottom corner. Super finish!
England simply have not started in the second period.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Spain to score a second, as Williams finds Olmo inside the England box, but he fires wide of the post. It really should have been 2-0 to La Roja there.
Bit of possession for England at the moment, but Spain are comfortable in their shape.
Southgate will not be thinking about changes this early, but it will be interesting to see how he views the match over the next five or 10 minutes if it stays 1-0. England need more.
YELLOW CARD! Stones is booked for pulling Zubimendi to the ground.
Some thoughts from Senior Reporter Ben Knapton..."How a few minutes can make all the difference in football! Optimism may have been rife among England fans when Rodri failed to emerge for the second half, but Spain's wing wizards live up to the hype. Yamal - now on four assists for the tournament - expertly let the ball run across his body before picking out the untracked run of Williams, who did what Williams does. Spain exploded out of the blocks at the start of the second half, and they have been rewarded."
CHANCE! Big chance for Spain again, as Morata breaks into the box and looks to pick out the bottom corner, but Stones is across to make the clearance, almost off the line!
CLOSE! Williams swings one just wide of the post. Spain are all over this final!
Southgate must be thinking about changes here. Something needs to happen.
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining here, and England are about to introduce Watkins. Surely it will be Kane to leave the field in the final?
ENGLAND SUB! Watkins indeed replaces Kane here.
Possession for England at the moment, but not too much is happening with it. Will Spain be made to regret not scoring a second? England have been here before in the tournament.
CLOSE! Bellingham turns on the edge of the Spain box and then looks to pick out the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide of the post. Much better from England there!
Spain are not having it their own way at the moment. England have survived their wobble without conceding a second, and this final is very much still alive.
SAVE! Brilliant save from Pickford to keep out a low strike from Yamal, who had broken past Shaw and then looked to pick out the bottom corner. Excellent goalkeeping from Pickford.
SPAIN SUB! Morata is replaced by Oyarzabal for Spain.
CLOSE! Fabian Ruiz hits one just over the crossbar, as Spain threaten a second. Still plenty of time left in this final, and it is delicately poised. Another change is coming here...
... ENGLAND SUB! Palmer replaces Mainoo for England.
Smart defending from Laporte to clear ahead of Saka, as England cause problems with another long ball. Watkins is stretching Spain, and suddenly De la Fuente's side look uncomfortable.
SAVE! Easy save for Pickford to keep out a low strike from Oyarzabal.
GOAL! SPAIN 1-1 ENGLAND (PALMER)
All square in the final! Palmer smashes one past Simon from the edge of the box to level the scores! Saka was down the right, Bellingham then set up Palmer, and the Chelsea attacker managed to find the back of the net to level it up in Berlin.
Palmer has been sensational since he entered the field. What a footballer.
There is going to be a winner in normal time here, I can sense it.
Spain are being made to regret not scoring a second when they had the chance, and England have responded yet again. We are all square in the final approaching the final 10 minutes.
Some thoughts from Senior Reporter Ben Knapton..."Palmer always cuts a composed demeanour on the field, but the Chelsea man could not help but explode into elation after that stunning equaliser! Once again, Southgate's substitutions have a devastating impact, and the Chelsea man's finish from outside the box could not have been more exquisite. England came from behind to win their last-16, quarter-final and semi-final ties. They couldn't do it again, could they?"
Spain have settled after conceding, and they are looking strong again here.
A goal now surely wins it. I still feel like there is another before the end of normal time. Spain are dominating the possession at the moment, with England sitting in their shape.
SAVE! Another super save from Pickford to keep out a strike from Yamal, who had been found after smart work from Williams and Olmo. Another big moment from the goalkeeper.
SPAIN SUB! Nacho enters the field for Le Normand.
Spain are knocking on the door at the moment, but England hold firm.
Pickford again does well to gather a cross from Yamal, who continues to look dangerous down the right for Spain. We are heading towards the final stages of normal time here.
GOAL! SPAIN 2-1 ENGLAND (OYARZABAL)
Goodness me. Spain score a second in the 86th minute, as Oyarzabal turns a low Cucurella cross into the back of the net. Hint of offside, but the flag stays down, and he's on.
Super goal that. No question. England do not have long left to turn this one.
ENGLAND SUB! Toney replaces Foden here.
SPAIN SUB! Merino enters the field for Yamal.
CHANCE! Oh my word. How? How has it not gone in? England have a header from Guehi cleared off the line by Olmo, before Rice heads over. Simon also kept out an effort in there. Spain survive.
We are into the first of four additional minutes here.
YELLOW CARD! Watkins picks up a yellow card for kicking Nacho in the stomach.
Spain are almost there. England are going to fall just short here, unless...
... still time for England, who have a free kick inside their own half.
Saka has just fouled Cucurella, and Spain are almost there.
FULL TIME: SPAIN 2-1 ENGLAND
Spain are the first nation to become four-time European champions. Oyarzabal's goal wins it late on, and it is difficult to deny them. La Roja have been the best side this summer.
Heartbreak for England. It's tough for the Three Lions. So tough. But were they good enough on the night? I'm not sure that they were. Spain deserve this. They are four-time winners.
Spain won all seven of their matches at Euro 2024, and Oyarzabal proves to be the hero, as he turned a low cross from Cucurella into the back of the net in the 86th minute. England's players, as expected, are devastated. Is this the end for Southgate?
That is just about it from me tonight. Thank you so much for joining me for the live coverage. It is disappointment for England, but this night is Spain's. The four-time winners.
I shall leave you with our match report of the action. Be sure to stick around the website for the reaction from the final. Good evening!
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