Gareth Southgate provides big injury update on England star ahead of Euro 2024 final against Spain
England boss Gareth Southgate has provided an update on injured left-back Kieran Trippier ahead of the Euro 2024 final with Spain in Berlin on Sunday (July 14). The 33-year-old was hauled off at half-time for Luke Shaw in the 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday (July 10).
Trippier started against the Oranje but was taken off as a precaution ahead of the potential big game against La Roja, which the Three Lions confimed with a late winner from substitute Ollie Watkins.
Southgate said about the substitution of Trippier - who has started all six games for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 (as per The Shields Gazzette):
“We didn’t want to take any chances. We had it in our minds that we would bring Luke into the game at some point. It was better to bring him into the game than to start the game and not be able to finish it.
“We’ll have to see how Tripps is. He’s been an absolute soldier for us. To fill in the way he has, on the wrong side of the pitch, with the injuries he’s had coming into the tournament, is exceptional.”
Trippier missed 10 games across competitions for Newcastle United last season and also missed the Three Lions' two friendlies in March due to injury.
"That's what we came for" - England boss ahead of Euro 2024 final with Spain
England head coach Gareth Southgate is understandably pleased after coming through a 'tough' game against 1988 winners Netherlands in the semis in Dortmund.
After going behind for a third straight knockout game at Euro 2024, the Three Lions ensured they wouldn't have to go through extra time for the third straight outing, thanks to supersub Watkins' 90th-minute winner.
About his side's title ambitions - with three-time winners Spain looming ahead - Southgate said (as per UEFA.com):
"That's what we came for. It's an incredibly tough game; we're playing the best team in the tournament so far. But we're here still – we're fighting, on the back of a really good performance. I'm just so pleased for everybody back home."
The Three Lions will have happy memories of their last major-tournament meeting with Spain, winning on penalties (4-2) in the Euro 96 quater-finals after a goalless 120 minutes before losing to eventual winners Germany in a shootout. Southgate was a playing member of that side.