Spain and England have experienced very different journeys to Euro 2024 final. We look at their path to Berlin below.
England
England's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their first goal at EURO 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS
England 1 Serbia 0
An early header by Jude Bellingham rewarded England for a good first half in their first game but they went off the boil and ended up hanging on for the win as manager Gareth Southgate's gamble of starting with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield backfired.
The tally of 11 shots – six by Serbia, five from England - was the lowest in a European Championship match since 1980, but within weeks England fans would have seen five shots as wild entertainment.
England 1 Denmark 1
England led through Harry Kane but struggled for control all game and Denmark deservedly equalised with a 30-yard pile-driver by Morten Hjulmand after a wild pass from Kane, who spent more time around his own box than the opposition's. Results elsewhere later meant that England were guaranteed progress on four points.
England 0 Slovenia 0
A dull game where England managed three shots on goal ended with them nevertheless top of their group on five points, though it was the Slovenian players and fans celebrating at the end as they progressed to the knockout phase for the first time.
Read also: Euro 2024: England make history with 2-1 win over Netherlands to reach final
Round of 16: England 2 Slovakia 1 after extra time.
Ivan Schranz put outsiders Slovakia ahead in the first half and England seemed unable, almost unwilling, to do anything about it in another toothless display. They were rescued by Jude Bellingham's brilliant bicycle kick in the 96th minute and won it with a Kane goal in extra-time - their only shots on target.
Southgate was widely criticised for his inactivity, with the focus on his decision to throw on striker Ivan Toney with one minute of stoppage time remaining.
Quarter-final: England 1 Switzerland 1. England win 5-3 on penalties
In a tight game Breel Embolo put Switzerland ahead after 75 minutes, with Bukayo Saka levelling with a great shot 10 minutes later as England improved, but were still shot-shy.
It went to penalties, but what for so long had been England's weakness suddenly looked a strength as Cole Palmer, Bellingham, Saka, Toney and Alexander-Arnold all scored confidently and Jordan Pickford saved from Manuel Akanji.
Semi-final: England 2 Netherlands 1
For the third knockout game in a row England fell behind, to a superb Xavi Simons shot, but they responded brilliantly with an exhilarating first-half display that was unrecognisable from the stodge previously served up.
They equalised with a VAR-awarded Harry Kane penalty and went close several times. The second half was quieter but exploded in the 91st minute when substitute Ollie Watkins scored to take England into their second successive European Championship final.
Spain
Spain players celebrate after the match, Munich Football Arena, Munich, Germany, July 9, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS
Spain 3 Croatia 0
Spain set their Euros stall out with an impressive opening match demolition of Croatia with first-half goals by Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal.
Spain 1 Italy 0
A 1-0 win secured by an own goal might sound close but Spain totally outclassed the defending champions, firing in 20 attempts on goal, to gain revenge for their elimination by Italy in Euro 2024.
Spain 1 Albania 0
Already through, Spain made 10 changes for the game but were still comfortably in charge and won it with a superb early Ferran Torres strike.
Read: Spain sink France to reach Euro 2024 final
Round of 16: Spain 4 Georgia 1
Despite the shock of going behind via Robin Le Normand's own goal, Spain delivered another emphatic display.
Rodri equalised and second-half goals by the impressive Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo saw them home.
Quarter-final: Spain 2 Germany 1 (aet)
After the Georgia cruise, Spain faced a considerable step up against the host nation but were deserved winners.
Olmo put them ahead early in the second half but Germany levelled a minute from time via Florian Wirtz.
The game was into the 119th minute and looked set for a penalty shootout when substitute Mikel Merino headed the winner.
Semi-final: Spain 2 France 1
Randal Kolo Muani put France ahead but two goals in five first-half minutes settled another deserved victory.
At 16, Lamine Yamal became the youngest scorer in a Euro or World Cup - and Spain's 10th different scorer at the tournament - with a lovely curler, before Olmo scored for the third successive knockout game.
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