Spain vs England: Rivalry Watch | UEFA Euro 2024 final

Two of the greatest football nations in Europe to lock horns in the Euro 2024 final.

Ask any football fan across the planet, which league does he/she watch? Chances are quite high that they will say, Premier League or LaLiga. Unarguably, England and Spain are home to two of the biggest football leagues in the world in terms of popularity, viewership and competitiveness, where the greatest footballers from Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Neymar have played in either or both of these leagues.

This league football gives us a hint of the vast heritage, history and rivalry between two of the greatest football nations on the planet, England and Spain, for several decades. You may argue and debate whether LaLiga is better than the Premier League, but you must admit that football can’t get better than watching La Roja face-off against the Three Lions.

Today, we take you on a thrilling roller-coaster ride through the rivalry between Spain and England. From those nail-biting and awe-inspiring matches to moments of absolute madness, this classic fixture has seen it all.

Head-to-Head

Total Matches – 27

Spain Won – 10

England Won – 14

Draws – 3

The Three Lions have a slightly better head-to-head record over La Roja. This is one of the most entertaining and mouth-watering clashes in the history of football, as apart from two matches, there has not been a goalless draw between these two sides. It has also been one of the most high-scoring clashes, with goals as many as eight in a single match.

First Clash: 1929

Their first clash dates back to more than 95 years ago at the Estadio Metropolitano Arena, Madrid in 1929 in an international friendly, where Spain got the better of England in an epic 4-3 match. England, who were probably the best football country at that time, drew first blood as goals from Joe Carter and Joe Broadford put the English side ahead in just 20 minutes.

Spain bounced back in the most convincing manner as the home side netted four goals to defeat England. A correspondent from the Daily Express wrote; “I never thought I would live to see the day when 11 Spanish players humbled the might – more or less – of English soccer.”

Also read: Which referee will officiate Spain vs England in Euro 2024 final?

England’s Revenge: 1931

After heavy criticism from the English press and fans, the Three Lions were determined to make a strong comeback when they locked horns against La Roja at the old Arsenal Stadium in Highbury, London. More than 55,000 spectators gathered in Islington to watch the English side take perfect revenge.

They didn’t disappoint their fans as the English team humiliated the Spanish players, ending the match 7-1 in favour of England, just a few hours before Spain officially became a republic.

Also read: Spain vs England: Five key battles that may decide UEFA Euro 2024 final

World Cup Clash: 1950

These two sides met for the third time after 19 years on the biggest stage of football at the FIFA World Cup 1950, which was the first World Cup tournament in five years after World War II had ended.

A solitary goal from Telmo Zarra was enough to knockout England and propel La Roja to the final round of the FIFA World Cup.

English Dominance: 1960-1981

The seesaw battle continued between both sides as England went on to defeat Spain 4-1 in an international friendly at Wembley to avenge their previous defeat in Rio de Janeiro. This was just the beginning of English dominance, as the Three Lions went on to record a streak of seven consecutive victories against Spain, beginning in 1960 and lasting till 1981. That simply means, for 21 years, whenever Spain and England met, the Three Lions would somehow defeat Spain.

The seven-match unbeaten streak began in 1960 when England crashed Spain 4-2 at Wembley, where goals from Bobby Smith, Bryan Douglas and Jimmy Greaves saw England get the better of España. The 21-year-long English dominance against Spain also saw England thrash the defending champions Spain twice in the Euro Qualifiers of 1968.

Also read: When and Where is Euro 2024 final between England & Spain?

Spain’s resurgence in 1981

Spain finally breathed a sigh of relief when they somehow managed to end their drought against England in March of 1981, after Jesus Maria Satrústegui and Jesus Maria Zamora found the back of the net, finally bringing some happiness and joy to España loyalists.

The joy was short-lived after a heroic display from Garry Lineker. Six years later in 1987, he scored four goals that night to break the hearts of thousands of Spanish supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Recent encounters: 2004-present

Spain enjoyed a short span of dominance when they were unbeaten against England for five years, defeating the Three Lions in three friendly fixtures from 2004 to 2009. Spain and England recently met twice in the UEFA Nations League in 2018, where one victory each for both sides cancelled each other out.

If you are a La Roja fan, we have good news for you: in the last eight matches between these two sides, Spain are unbeaten against England in six of them.

The ultimate showdown: Euro 2024 finals

As both sides face off against each other on Sunday at Wembley in the continent’s ultimate game, it will be interesting to see if Gareth Southgate’s men will finally win their maiden Euro trophy or if it will be España clinching their fourth trophy to become the most successful team in the history of the Euros.

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