"That has not happened very often" - Chris Sutton makes bold prediction for England vs Spain EURO 2024 final
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has backed Spain to defeat England in the Euro 2024 final this Sunday (14 July). The pundit believes Spain have been the superior team in the tournament so far.
Spain have been in stellar form at the Euro 2024, winning every single game so far in Germany. La Roja have beaten Georgia, Germany, and France in their journey to the final this year.
Meanwhile, England have been criticized for their performances and have had some close calls at the Euro 2024. The Three Lions won just one game in the group stages.
Gareth Southgate's side conceded first in all three of their knockout games. England were in the brink of elimination in their last-16 clash against Slovakia before an emphatic comeback, courtesy of goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sutton gave his prediction for the Euro 2024 final. He said:
"Kane is different in that he is a central striker and you have to create opportunities for him. In and around the box, he is devastating, but the onus then has been on Bukayo Saka or Jude Bellingham to run in behind. That has not happened very often, and it means England have been predictable to play against."
"England are a bits-and-pieces team, in that they have found moments that matter rather than produced sustained patterns of play. I have very little doubt in my mind that Spain will be the better team and we will see clear patterns of play from them, but England have got to do what they have done all tournament - they have not always been the best team in the games they have won."
The former Chelsea striker added:
"Southgate's side are growing in confidence, plus they have togetherness and individual players who can hurt Spain, but I don't think it will be enough."
"I am going with Spain to win, because they are in sync, they have been so superior so far… and I don’t see England stopping them."
Sutton’s prediction: Spain 2-1 England
Chris Sutton says England boss Gareth Southgate 'deserves a lot of praise' for reaching Euro 2024 final
The Three Lions will face Spain in Berlin, Germany, in their second consecutive European Championship final under Gareth Southgate. His current contract is set to expire in December and there have been questions over his future.
However, Sutton has lauded Southgate for the job he's done at the Euro 2024 and insists that the England boss deserves more credit.
He said:
"Gareth Southgate has done well to get England to the final, and he deserves a lot of praise."
The Three Lions secured a 2-1 win against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-finals this week. After going 1-0 down in the seventh minute, England managed to come away with the win, thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins.
Sutton was impressed by England's display against the Dutch, claiming that it was their best performance of the tournament.
He said:
"I actually thought their semi-final win over the Netherlands was England's best display so far. They really impressed me in the first half, when they took control of the game. It was still a far-from-perfect performance, but Southgate's substitutions came off with Cole Palmer playing in Ollie Watkins for the winner."