England face a daunting task in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, the “kings of killing matches”, but Declan Rice is confident his team will “run through brick walls” to win.
England’s thrilling semifinal victory over Netherlands, sealed by Ollie Watkins‘ last-gasp winner, was built on dominance, with 60% possession.
Now, they face Spain’s possession masters, including Rodri, and must replicate that feat to triumph in the final.
Rice said:
“Yeah, definitely. Before the game, we looked at the Dutch in midfield and they’ve got top players.
PSV’s player of the year, [Joey] Veerman I think won Dutch player of the year, [Tijjani] Reijnders I played against him at AZ [Alkmaar] and there was a lot of talk about how well they keep the ball.
“I never feel like we get that love and that credit about how well we actually keep the ball.
We have been doing that really well of late, even against Switzerland [in the quarterfinals] we kept the ball really well in the final third.
“Against Spain, it is going to be needed. We’re going to need to take touches,
take the sting out of the game because Spain if you look over the years are the kings of killing football matches and passing the ball so we need to use all our experience and everything we’ve got to try and control.
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“We are players [Rice and Rodri] who get constantly compared to each other.
I think that’s normal now but I think we’re two completely different players in my opinion and I’m sure he’d say the same thing. It’s not just about me against him.
“We’ve got to the big moments and not quite done it since 1966 [when England won the World Cup].
Now’s a great chance for us as players and us as a nation to take that next step and become champions.”
England were taken to extra-time by Slovakia and Switzerland — requiring penalties to beat the latter — and have had a day less than Spain to prepare for the final.
“The first couple of games, I was feeling more tired than I am now. As the adrenaline kicked in more, as the games ramp up, it gives you that extra bit of energy, extra bit of fire.
“I think now especially on Sunday, all of us will run through a brick wall to do anything to win this game, whether that’s in 90 or 120, we’ll give absolutely everything and that’s all we can ask for.”
Despite Spain’s impressive record, with wins over hosts Germany and France, England are determined to end their 58-year wait for a major trophy in Berlin on Sunday.
