“So many people watch because they hate them” - Alexi Lalas offers opinion on England before Euro 2024 final, compares them to NFL team
Pundit Alexi Lalas has offered his opinion on how England have performed in their journey to the EURO 2024 final, comparing them to NFL team Dallas Cowboys. The Three Lions have had a sub-par tournament by usual standards, but they have fought for their moments and gotten to the zenith.
England began the group stages with just one win and two goals across three games. Bore draws against Denmark and Slovenia meant they got into the EURO 2024 Round of 16 with only five points out of a possible nine.
Against Slovakia, a magical moment from Jude Bellingham pushed them into extra time, where they eventually won the match through Harry Kane. In the quarter-finals against Switzerland, they needed a similar moment from Bukayo Saka to push them into extra time, and they won on penalties.
The semi-finals against the Netherlands was the only knockout stage game they played without going into extra time. This time, it was Ollie Watkins whose goal in the 90th minute put them ahead and secured their berth in the final.
Speaking about England making it to the final, Alexi Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast on YouTube:
“I’m a guy that came on air when we started this tournament and said that when it comes to England they are the Dallas Cowboys. If you want to continue that, let’s be honest they made the Super Bowl, when it comes to England they are going to play the Euro final."
“In being the Dallas Cowboys of soccer, so many people watch [them] because they hate them as compared to loving them. But everybody is going to tune in on Sunday," he added.
The Three Lions will be hoping that they can exceed expectations when they face Spain in the EURO 2024 final.
England boss Gareth Southgate talks about Spain ahead of EURO 2024 final
England head coach Gareth Southgate has spoken about Spain ahead of their EURO 2024 final. The Spaniards have been the clearly better side, successfully winning every single match they have played in the tournament.
Speaking ahead of Sunday, Southgate termed La Roja "favorites", saying (via Independent):
“They would be rightly favorites for what they have done this tournament. They have been the best team. They have got a day longer and in the last three finals, maybe more, it has been quite significant so we have got to get our recovery spot on. Tactically we will have to be perfect as they are such a good side.”
Aside from winning all their games in EURO 2024, Spain have scored 13 goals, compared to the Three Lions, who have scored just seven. The Spaniards have also won their knockout games without reaching a penalty shootout.