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Gareth Southgate makes Spain admission as he reveals England 'concern' ahead of Euro 2024 final

Gareth Southgate makes Spain admission as he reveals England 'concern' ahead of Euro 2024 final

Gareth Southgate says Spain will present England with "the greatest possible test" in Sunday's European Championship final, but believes his side have shown they have "as good a chance as they do".

England booked their place in a first final on foreign soil with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Dortmund, sealed by Ollie Watkins 90th-minute winner.

They will face Luis de la Fuente's slick side, who have already seen off Croatia, Italy, Georgia, Germany and France at Euro 2024 en route to the Olympic Stadium.

Asked how his side could hurt the Spanish, who beat the French in the other semi-final on Tuesday, Southgate said: "We'll have to get the ball off them first!

"It's not as simple as us having the ball and making them run. They press very, very well so we're going to have to be exceptional with the ball and we're going to have to be exceptional without it. It's a final so you expect it to be that way.

"They've been the best team. We're starting to show a better version of ourselves.

Spain have been the standout tournament at Euro 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)
Spain have been the standout tournament at Euro 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

"The extra day [of rest for Spain] is a concern, in the last few tournaments that's been a problem for finalists. We've got to do the very best we can to recover the players as well as we can.

"We're not going to be on the training ground, that's simple. We'll be walking through things or delivering things in meetings, it was the same for this game, but we're in there and with what we've shown to this point, we have as good a chance as they do."

England trailed the Dutch after just seven minutes to Xavi Simons' brilliant 25-yard strike, but Harry Kane equalised from the penalty spot after referee Felix Zwayer was advised to consult his pitch-side monitor by the VAR.

England were headed for a third consecutive period of extra-time when substitutes Cole Palmer and Watkins combined at the death to spark wild scenes of celebration.

"We've given our supporters some of the best nights over the last 50 years," Southgate said. "I'm hugely proud of that, I'm delighted if everybody at home is feeling the way we are and the way the supporters in the stadium are feeling.

"From our point of view, we're not finished. We've got the greatest possible test to prepare for. We came here to try to win the tournament and that's still our aim."

Southgate, who is the first Englishman to lead the country to two major finals, celebrated passionately in front of England supporters on the pitch.

Gareth Southgate passionately celebrated after victory over the Netherlands (Getty Images)
Gareth Southgate passionately celebrated after victory over the Netherlands (Getty Images)

The manager was criticised by fans in the early stages of the tournaments, which he reiterated was "hard", but described himself and England's travelling support as "kindred spirits".

Asked if he had reconnected with fans, Southgate said: "We all want to be loved, right?

"When you're doing something for your country and you're a proud Englishman, and when you don't feel that back and when all you read is criticism it's hard.

"To be able to celebrate a second final is very, very special. Our travelling support is amazing, to be able to give them nights like this, and we have given them a few over the last six years, from Russia onwards, means a lot.

"If I had been on the grass I'd have been watching, celebrating like they were. We're kindred spirits in many ways. But of course, I'm the one that has to pick a team. To be able to give them nights like tonight is very, very special."