5 Spain players for England to be wary of during Euro 2024 final

England find themselves just one match away from making history.

The Three Lions can become the first England men's team in history to win a European Championship, exorcising demons of Euro 1996 and Euro 2020 in the process. To be crowned champions of Europe would be an astonishing achievement.

However, having unconvincingly battled their way to the final, they now face Euro 2024's most impressive side in the showpiece event on Sunday.

Spain have been hands down the strongest and most well-rounded outfit in Germany this summer, and have already conquered France, Germany and Italy en route to the final. They have reached the last two by playing exceptional football, their young wonderkids wowing and their experienced generals leading by example.

There is not a single player donning a red jersey that England won't have to be wary of on Sunday evening in Berlin, but here are some of La Roja's most threatening.

Lamine Yamal

Let's start with the obvious, shall we? The 17-year-old had already amazed at Euro 2024 but enjoyed his coming of age moment with a sensational long-range effort against France in the semi-final, silencing Adrien Rabiot and any other naysayers accusing the starlet of being overhyped. He became the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history with his wonderful strike.

But one screamer against Les Bleus doesn't truly change the impact he has had at this tournament. He had already produced three assists in Germany and currently leads the Spain squad for chances created (16) and big chances created (six).

The relentless winger, who is still too young to drive or vote, will be at his energetic best again this Sunday given he is seemingly incapable of freezing on the big stage. Whether it's Kieran Trippier or Luke Shaw attempting to shackle Yamal, they will be in for a long evening.

Rodri

The heartbeat of this swashbuckling Spain side, Rodri is the glue that holds everything together. Much like in Manchester City's engine room, the 28-year-old keeps everything ticking with his excellent passing and incredible ball-winning and retention skills.

Rodri's importance has been evident throughout the tournament. Spain have conceded on just three occasions across their five matches, one of which was an own goal, and the Man City ace has done a sensational job screening a backline that many were concerned about prior to the tournament.

Sunday's final may well be decided by who wins the defensive midfield battle between Rodri and Declan Rice.

Dani Olmo

It's hard to believe that Dani Olmo didn't begin Euro 2024 as a starter. The RB Leipzig attacking midfielder has actually started just two of Spain's matches, but Pedri's injury against Germany has opened the door for him. He has firmly slammed it shut behind him.

Olmo scored the winner against France in the semi-final and now has three goals and two assists in just 341 minutes at the tournament. He's averaging four shots per match and leads the Spain team for successful dribbles per 90 (3.7). Finding space in between the lines, the 26-year-old has shown the quality needed to punish opposition defences.

While Rodri will have his hands full with Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, England's Rice will have to stifle the relentless Olmo.

Nico Williams

When Yamal isn't torturing full-backs, Nico Williams is bamboozling them on the other flank. It's been a breakout tournament for the Athletic Club forward, who is expected to make a big-money move to one of Europe's elite sides this summer.

You can certainly see why the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal have shown such strong interest in the 22-year-old, whose pace, acceleration and nimbleness makes him nigh-on impossible to stop. He added another ten years to Giovanni Di Lorenzo's birth certificate during a sensational outing against Italy.

A single assist against Georgia doesn't tell the story of what has been a devastating Euro 2024 campaign.

Fabian Ruiz

Fabian Ruiz has been another success story under Luis de la Fuente this summer. The Paris Saint-Germain star has always been an exceptional footballer, but he has hit new heights under the Spain boss, who has offered him the freedom to venture forward more frequently.

It speaks volumes that Ruiz has already provided a combined four goals and assists at the tournament, as many as he produced in his 21 Ligue matches this term. His late runs into the penalty area have been a theme of Euro 2024 so far, with the 28-year-old proving the perfect partner for Rodri in the centre of the park.

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