England face Spain in the blockbuster final of Euro 2024 in Berlin on Sunday night.
Here, Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia reflects from Germany on three key issues that could decide the tournament showpiece...
Who plays on England’s left?
Having spent so much of the tournament on the sidelines recovering from a hamstring problem, Luke Shaw is fit again, and now it is Kieran Trippier about whom England have concerns.
The pair each played 45 minutes against the Netherlands, with Shaw sent on for the start of the second half. Now he could make his first start in five months on the biggest stage of all.
However, this might be a game in which right-footed Trippier is used for his defensive nous against Lamine Yamal, who loves to cut inside.
Saka v Cucurella
There is no love lost between Bukayo Saka and Marc Cucurella, who have shared some fiery battles in the Premier League. Both are enjoying superb tournaments, and their duel is likely to be box-office.
Saka’s ability to offer both a direct outlet and intelligent defensive cover from the right has been the key to making Southgate’s back-three system work.
But England cannot afford for him to be pinned into the defensive line, as has happened to their wing-backs against the best opposition before.
Battle of back-up strikers
Early in this tournament, Ollie Watkins cited Spanish counterpart Joselu as an example of how an understudy could become a hero, following the Real Madrid striker’s late double off the bench in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
He could not have known then that he would copy the 34-year-old with his late winner against the Dutch. With Harry Kane short of his best and Alvaro Morata a fitness doubt, there is every chance that one or other — or Ivan Toney — could have a significant part to play in Berlin.
