"It’s going to be an exciting game" - Wayne Rooney makes prediction for England vs Spain in EURO 2024 final
Wayne Rooney has backed England to beat Spain 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday (July 14) at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Gareth Southgate's team are into back-to-back European Championship finals for the first time.
This is their first major tournament final on foreign soil as the Three Lions look to a 58-year-old major trophy drought. The 1966 Jules Rimet World Cup remains their only triumph on the international stage.
Former England captain Rooney is backing his country to get the job done in Berlin, telling The Olive Press (via Metro):
"I think England will win the game 2-1. I thought in the last game against the Netherlands, we played really well, and we deserved to win.
"It's going to be an exciting game. There will be a lot of young talent on the pitch. I'm sure it will be a good game, a close game, but I think England might just nick it."
England beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-final in Dortmund. Despite the Oranje taking a seventh-minute lead through Xavi Simons, a Harry Kane penalty (18') and a last-ditch winner from substitute Ollie Watkins (90') sealed their final berth.
They take on a Spain side who are perfect in the tournament so far, becoming the first team to win six matches at a European Championship.
Wayne Rooney predicts England's starting XI in Euro 2024 final against Spain
Speaking to The Olive Press, Wayne Rooney noted that manager Gareth Southgate might play the same line-up that has helped his side get this far at Euro 2024. Rooney, though, thinks his former Manchester United teammate Luke Shaw could return to the starting XI.
Wayne Rooney further opined that Spain are the favourites due to their exceptional form at Euro 2024 and noted that La Roja had an extra day to recover, which could be key.
Hence, England need to get their recovery spot-on and also be in their best shape against a top-class Spain side. The Three Lions, though, have a spectacular pool of players in their ranks and will fancy their chances of victory against the three-time winners.