England began Euro 2024 as one of the pre-tournament favourites but now go into Sunday’s final as underdogs as Spain have been the standout team at the tournament. La Roja have made Euros history by winning all six of their games en route to Berlin, knocking out hosts Germany and France along the way. We look at how England can raise their game to end a 58-year wait to win a major tournament, and beat three-time Euros champions Spain in the final.

Strike early

England have relied on late goals to sneak past Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands to reach a second consecutive Euros final.

However, they needed extra-time to beat Slovakia and went all the way to penalties against the Swiss in the quarter-finals.

Southgate has also expressed his concern at having a day less to recover from their semi-final.

For all the resilience England have shown, chasing the game against Spain is a different beast.

The Spanish racked up 500 passes in the semi-final win over France to play out the second half by holding onto their 2-1 lead.

With some of England’s top players already showing signs of fatigue, a fast start is needed to dent Spanish confidence.

Beat the press

Spain’s pressing game has been one of the keys to their success in Germany.

No side has forced more turnovers within 40 metres of the opposition goal, two of which have led to goals.

One of England’s problems early in the tournament was failing to take risks in passing forward, even against perceived weaker opposition.

In Berlin they have to be brave to get through the first wave of Spanish pressure and into the spaces where they can do damage going forward.

Feed Foden and BellinghamSouthgate has stuck by starting both Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden all tournament despite both starring in the same role for their clubs last season as advanced midfielders.

The England boss finally got some reward in the semi-final with the Dutch, against a more offensive-minded side, Foden and Bellingham found the space to spark a laboured attack into life.

Foden’s Manchester City teammate Rodri has looked supreme all tournament in the Spanish midfield.

But with Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo pushing forward, Rodri is the sole holding midfielder which should leave gaps for Bellingham and Foden to exploit if given the service.

Harness experience

Despite Spain’s much greater pedigree in winning major tournaments, it is England who have the edge in big game experience.

Eight of Southgate’s squad played in the defeat on penalties to Italy at the Euro 2020 final and England also boast seven Champions League winners to Spain’s six.

“Quarter-finals, semi-finals, we’ve managed a lot of those games now,” said Southgate on learning from the final three years ago.

“You’re definitely much better prepared because every experience you go through, you learn from. You’re improving all the time.”

England must lean on that knowhow to get over the line, even if it does mean resorting to the dark arts.

Germany took a roughhouse approach to stopping Spain’s two wing starlets Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams in the quarter-final and it largely worked.

Few in England will care about how the job is done as long as they are parading the trophy around central London on Monday.

Use the bench

Ollie Watkins’ stoppage time strike to beat the Netherlands in the semi-final rewarded Southgate’s bold call to send on the Aston Villa striker for Harry Kane 10 minutes from time.

Too often during this tournament and his tenure in charge, Southgate has been too slow to turn to his bench to influence the game.

In both the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia and Euro 2020 final, England squandered an early lead by slowly losing control of the game.

Cole Palmer, Ivan Toney and Kobbie Mainoo have also made big impacts as substitutes earlier in the tournament.

Blessed with arguably the deepest squad at the Euros, Southgate must use it earlier than he has done so far, even if it means sacrificing one of his star names.

Netherlands vs England Live Streaming Euro 2024 Semi-Final: Gareth Southgate will be aiming to guide England to a second successive UEFA Euro final, as they take on Netherlands in the second semi-final of Euro 2024. England have drawn criticism for a dull brand of football given the rich talent they possess but, once again, find themselves in the final four of a major tournament. Netherlands have been quietly getting better, and a win would see them set up a rematch of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against Spain.  Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo has been one of the best players of Euro 2024 so far, while England will rely on their starcast of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and co. to fire them to victory.

When will the Netherlands vs England, Euro 2024 Semi-Final match take place?

The Netherlands vs England, Euro 2024 Semi-Final match will take place on Thursday, July 11 (IST).

Where will the Netherlands vs England, Euro 2024 Semi-Final match be played?

The Netherlands vs England, Euro 2024 Semi-Final match will be played at the Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund.

What time will the Netherlands vs England, Euro 2024 Semi-Final match start?

The Netherlands vs England, Euro 2024 Semi-Final match will start at 12:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the Netherlands vs England, Euro 2024 Semi-Final match?

The Netherlands vs England, Euro 2024 Semi-Final match will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Netherlands vs England, Euro 2024 Semi-Final match?

The Netherlands vs England, Euro 2024 Semi-Final match will be streamed live on SonyLiv app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon fourth round for the 16th time on Saturday after taking a break to help the Centre Court crowd celebrate England’s Euro 2024 win over Switzerland in Germany. Djokovic claimed a battling 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) win over Australia’s Alexei Popyrin as he stayed on course for a record-equalling eighth title at the All England Club and 25th Grand Slam. At 4-1 ahead in the second set, fans inside Centre Court let out a huge roar and applause to mark the national team’s penalty shootout win in Dusseldorf. 

Djokovic also marked England’s quarter-final win over Switzerland by imitating taking a penalty kick during the match. While Djokovic shadow-kicked the ball, his Australian opponent took on the role of goalkeeper, shaping to make a save.

Watch: Novak Djokovic’s mid-match penalty kick!

Novak Djokovic simulates taking a penalty kick after Wimbledon erupted at England winning. pic.twitter.com/SEgt9XmHAs

— Danny (@DjokovicFan_) July 6, 2024

“I assumed it was a penalty shootout between England and Switzerland – it felt like for a set and a half the crowd really wanted to understand what the score is in the football match,” explained Djokovic.

“Did England win in the end? That’s why you guys stayed. Congrats to England.”

He added: “I tried to shoot a penalty, I’m left footed, but Alexei defended it well.”

Djokovic has now made the last 16 at the majors for a 65th time while Saturday’s win was also the 95th at Wimbledon for Djokovic who underwent knee surgery last month.

World number two Djokovic will face Holger Rune, the 15th seed from Denmark, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Rune, a quarter-finalist last year, defeated Quinton Halys 1-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 to register his first win from two sets down.

SRB vs ENG Live Streaming Euro 2024 Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch© AFP

Arsenal have won just one of their last six away games against Bayern Munich.© AFP