Manchester United legends Roy Keane and Gary Neville offered up their early predictions for the upcoming Euro 2024 final between Spain and England in Germany this summer.
Spain punched their ticket to the Euro 2024 final after their sensational 2-1 comeback win against France at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
Luis de la Fuente’s men are undefeated over the course of their stunning Euro 2024 campaign and are widely tipped as the favourites for the final.
England, on the other hand, have reached their second consecutive European Championship final under Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate.
Gareth Southgate led England to the Euro 2020 final and the Three Lions fell short to Italy in a penalty shootout defeat at Wembley.
However, the England boss has defied the odds amid a wave of fierce criticism and took the Three Lions to another major final on the international stage.
England booked their place in the final of Euro 2024 after a 2-1 comeback win against the Netherlands in their semi-final on Wednesday evening in Dortmund.
Xavi Simons opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the opening 10 minutes before Harry Kane pulled back an equaliser after a controversial penalty decision.
Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins then came off the bench in the second half and sealed the win in the 90th minute for England at the Westfalenstadion.
Keane’s prediction for Spain vs England
Luis de la Fuente’s in-form Spain will meet Gareth Southgate’s England side in the final of this summer’s Euros at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday.
England were among the favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy at Euro 2024 alongside the likes of France, Portugal and host nation Germany.
However, the Three Lions have faced mounting criticism over their performances at the tournament, with England appearing lacklustre at times under Southgate.
Speaking on ITV Sport, Roy Keane insisted that Spain are still the favourites to win the Euro 2024 final, but an England victory could be “written in the stars.”
“I’d have Spain as favourites, but sometimes, things are written in the stars for this England team,” he said, as per Sky Sports.
“They should have been out of it a week or so ago, they’ve now got momentum.
“It’s good to see players coming off the bench with a proper mindset. They want to come into the game and have an impact.
“They’re coming on and getting late goals, it’ll be a brilliant game against Spain. The impact of players off the bench has been huge for a lot of teams in this tournament.”
Neville drops his Euro 2024 final prediction
Gary Neville, much like former Manchester United teammate Keane, believes Spain are the favourites for the final and praised their impact at the tournament so far.
However, the United legend insisted that England could still defy the odds and they have built up “confidence” when things have been “stacking up” against him.
“Incredible achievement, to get to a final again is an incredible performance,” Neville said on ITV.
“Go and finish it off. How many times will England get into this position? I never got there once.
“Spain, not many people fancied them. I didn’t. But they have been the best team and played the best football.
“So, we’ve got our work cut but it feels like something is happening. Things are stacking up in England’s favour and that builds confidence.
“But, it’s clear, Spain have been a far better team than we have at this tournament.
“It’s incredible. The group of players and the manager – they’ve not been at their best in this tournament but to stay in the game and get over the line.
“Over the years, they’ve been called naive, played well and lost but this team do whatever it takes. And they are getting better.
“It’s been absolutely amazing the way they’ve done it and it’s what England teams haven’t been able to do in the past.”
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