The Women’s World Cup final. Now the men’s European Championship final.
For two pre-eminent soccer countries, Spain against England is hardly a classic and deep-rooted international rivalry but back-to-back title matches in the space of 11 months at major tournaments could yet usher in the start of one.
For some, Spain’s 1-0 victory in Sydney in August in the biggest match in women’s soccer was overshadowed by what happened afterward, when Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales kissed star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy ceremony to spark a player rebellion, a reckoning on gender and ultimately his removal from power.
What will Sunday’s Euro 2024 final bring?
What we do know is that Spain has been the best team in the tournament and England has been the ultimate survivor, having come from behind in all of its knockout-stage games.
More unknown is how the teams match up because, somewhat refreshingly in the modern age, they haven’t met in any game — competitive or otherwise — since a pair of Nations League qualifiers in 2018, and not in a major tournament since the European Championship in 1996.
Here are the highlights from the 27 meetings between the men’s teams of Spain and England since the first in 1929:
PEARCE’S REDEMPTION
It is one of the defining images in the history of English soccer: Stuart Pearce crunching home a penalty and letting it all out in an emotionally fueled celebration that brought him to tears at Wembley Stadium. It was the Euro ’96 quarterfinals and England and Spain were in a shootout after a nervy 0-0 draw. Six years earlier, Pearce had been one of two England players who failed to score in a shootout loss to Germany in the World Cup semifinals. Here he was again, stepping up for his country and this time delivering. After the ball hit the net, he briefly stopped then repeatedly punched the air and shouted “Come on” to the fans as he wept. England won the shootout 4-2, with Fernando Hierro and Miguel Ángel Nadal missing for Spain.
FOUR-GOAL LINEKER
ZARRA’S WINNER
The first of the teams’ two meetings in the World Cup came in 1950, when England was coming off one of its most humiliating defeats ever — 1-0 to the United States in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Three days later, Spain ended England’s campaign with a 1-0 win at the storied Maracana in front of more than 74,000 spectators. Telmo Zarra, the Athletic Bilbao great whose status as La Liga’s record scorer was taken by Lionel Messi, grabbed the 48th-minute winner for Spain, which advanced to the final four only to finish bottom of the group. The other World Cup meeting was in 1982, which Spain hosted, and it was a 0-0 that ultimately eliminated both countries from the three-team group stage in the second round.
HEAVIEST WIN
The biggest margin of victory in matches between Spain and England came in their second meeting, in 1931. England won 7-1 in an international friendly at Highbury, the former home of Arsenal, with three players — Jack Smith, Tommy Johnson and Sammy Crooks — each scoring twice. Spain’s biggest win over England was 3-0 in a friendly in Madrid in 1960, when Eulogio Martinez scored twice for a star-stacked team containing Alfredo Di Stefano and Francisco “Paco” Gento.
News
Jennifer Lopez made ‘huge compromise’ on $68M mansion; it was Ben Affleck’s idea to…
Bennifer’s mansion is back on the market for $68M. Sources reveal the purchase was primarily Affleck’s idea, despite Lopez’s discontent with its modern design Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s $60 million marital mansion in Beverly Hills made headlines when the…
Michael Keaton Isn’t Alone: Gigi Hadid, Tina Fey and Tom Cruise’s real names revealed
Many celebrity icons, including Michael Keaton and Gigi Hadid, have ditched their real names for stage names. Keep reading to find out which of your favorite celebs are using an alias. Do you actually know the name of your favorite…
DID YOU HEAR THAT! Jennifer Lopez tells Ben Affleck fan: “Back off, bitch!”
In the ever-evolving landscape of celebrity culture, where the lines between public and private often blur, interactions between celebrities and their fans can become intensely personal and sometimes contentious. This was exemplified recently in a widely circulated video involving Jennifer…
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are actually NOT DIVORCE? A series of hits are clear as day
Sebastian Soto is a YouTuber who shares his thoughts on pop culture and other topics with his viewers. In this video, he discusses his thoughts on Jennifer Lopez’s recent engagement ring. Sebastian believes that Jennifer Lopez is wearing the ring…
Video of Jennifer Lopez CHEATING on Ben Affleck with his assistant goes viral
The video discusses the recent separation of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. It is rumored that Lopez is cheating on Affleck with her assistant. Affleck is reportedly devastated by the news and has moved out of their home. The video…
Jennifer Lopez’s text messages to Ben Affleck after divorce revealed
The video discusses the aftermath of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s divorce. Lopez is reportedly using her outfits to send a message to Affleck. She has been seen wearing shirts with quotes like “She’s In Bloom and unbothered” and “Everything…
End of content
No more pages to load