Sunday’s finalists have played against each other twice in the past six months. Here are five key areas where the game could be decided
Spain’s domination in the middle of the park, in and out of possession, is what contributed significantly to their victory over England at the World Cup in 2023. The trio of Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro are very technical and comfortable on the ball and create midfield rotations. Guijarro is instrumental, allowing the other two to make their runs and finding the passes to cut through defensive lines. In the semi-final against Germany, she completed more passes than anyone else. How England set up their midfield will be crucial. Their Nations League victory in February was down in large part to the selfless work rate of Ella Toone, Grace Clinton and Keira Walsh, who at times had to sacrifice the creative aspects of the game to close the midfield spaces, cut off the passing triangles that Spain love and prevent them from having free rein to roam through the thirds.
The left side of England’s defence has been targeted throughout the tournament. Remember Delphine Cascarino for France, Stina Blackstenius and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd for Sweden and Sofia Cantore for Italy. England have not looked comfortable there, no matter who has been selected to start. Ona Batlle and Mariona Caldentey will be licking their lips at the prospect of imposing themselves early on Alex Greenwood and whoever is chosen at left centre-back. England tend to be caught high in that area and will need to be extremely disciplined and perhaps sit a little deeper to stop themselves being exposed to the pace of Spain. It also raises the question about whether Sarina Wiegman could start with a three at the back to try to add more protection and pack their box with numbers when Spain break.
