It appears Spain are poised for yet another triumph over England! The arrangements for Harry Kane and his squad to celebrate with an open-top bus tour through the streets of London would have to be put on hold.
Why such discouraging words for the supporters of "It's Coming Home"? This is based on historical lessons and the extraordinary achievements of Spanish teams on the grand stage. On Sunday (Monday 1:00 AM Bangladesh time), in Berlin, Germany, the Spanish national team will face England in the Euro 2024 final, carrying the legacy of their unbeaten record. What is this legacy?
From 2002 to 2024, Spanish teams have contested a total of 26 finals in major tournaments. These major tournaments include the FIFA World Cup and Euro Championship at the national level, and the Champions League and Europa League at the club level. Spanish teams, encompassing both the national team and clubs, have not lost a single one of these 26 finals in the past 22 years, winning every single one. Among the teams vanquished by Spanish teams in finals, nine are from England! So, why wouldn't Spain win the 2024 Euro as well?
The unbeaten journey of Spanish teams in major tournament finals began with Real Madrid's victory in the 2002 Champions League final. That year, Real defeated Germany's Bayer Leverkusen in the final. Since then, Italian teams have lost five times, German teams three times, and French teams twice against Spanish teams in finals.
On four occasions, both finalists were Spanish, ensuring a Spanish victory. English teams have suffered the most in finals against Spanish teams. Among them is England's current coach, Gareth Southgate. In the 2006 UEFA Cup, Southgate's Middlesbrough lost to Spain's Sevilla. That was the last season of Southgate's playing career.
Premier League club Liverpool has lost three times: in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals to Real Madrid, and in the 2016 Europa League final to Sevilla. Manchester United lost to Barcelona in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals, and to Villarreal in the 2021 Europa League final. Other notable finals include Atletico Madrid's victory over Fulham in the 2010 Europa League and Barcelona's win over Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League.
Real Madrid and Sevilla have played significant roles in this streak of Spanish victories. Real has won the Champions League five times in the last eight years, while Sevilla has won the Europa League seven times since 2006. Meanwhile, Barcelona and the Spanish national team have achieved success with a similar style of play and players. From 2008 to 2012, the Spanish national team won two Euros and one World Cup, while Barcelona won two Champions League titles in the same period.
Knowing all these final stories, it might seem that England's hopes are dashed even before stepping onto the field. However, Southgate's team still has reasons for hope. The last two finals lost by Spanish teams were in Germany, where this year's final will be played. In the 2001 Champions League final in Milan, Germany's Bayern Munich defeated Spain's Valencia in a tiebreaker.
The previous week, England's Liverpool defeated Spain's Alaves in the UEFA Cup final in Dortmund, Germany. Overall, England has more wins against Spain in all competitions—14 out of 27 matches. However, none of these wins were in finals, which remains a concern for England.
