England will meet Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday in Berlin following their dramatic 2-1 victory over Netherlands.
Ollie Watkins scored a dramatic last-gasp winner in Dortmund on Wednesday to send England’s men to a first major final on foreign soil.
Here, the PA news agency looks back at previous meetings between Sunday’s European Championship finalists.
England 0-0 Spain (4-2 pens) – Euro 96 – June 1996
Terry Venables’ England side advanced to the semi-finals following a penalty shoot-out victory over Spain at Wembley after a goalless draw.
Both sides had chances to score, first Spain when Javier Manjarin went clean through but David Seaman was able to save with his legs, before Alan Shearer turned over from close range following neat work from Paul Gascoigne.
No goals after 90 minutes meant extra time was required and the ‘golden goal’ rule was in play for the first time, meaning any goal in the 30 additional minutes would seal progress. However, neither side could make the breakthrough so the tournament had its first penalty shoot-out.
Fernando Hierro struck the crossbar with Spain’s first attempt before Stuart Pearce earned redemption for his penalty miss in England’s World Cup loss to Germany six years earlier by dispatching emphatically and Seaman stopped Miguel Angel Nadal’s effort to send England through.
England 2-2 Spain – Friendly – November 2016
England let a two-goal lead slip in Gareth Southgate’s final game in interim charge before he was given the job on a permanent basis.
Adam Lallana tucked away an early penalty after Jamie Vardy was brought down inside the area to give the hosts the lead. The Leicester striker then doubled their advantage after the break with a diving header.
England looked home and hosed until Iago Aspas pulled a goal back in the final minute of normal time before Isco slotted through Tom Heaton’s legs with almost the last kick to rescue an unlikely 2-2 draw at Wembley.
England 1-2 Spain – Nations League – September 2018
England started their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Spain – their first competitive victory over the Three Lions since 1950.
Luis Enrique’s first game in charge of Spain did not get off to the best of starts when Marcus Rashford tapped home following a devastating counter-attack in the 11th minute.
England’s joy was short-lived and as two later Spain levelled when Dani Carvajal linked up with Rodrigo Moreno before he cut back to Saul Niguez, who fired home the equaliser.
Spain dominated possession and England went behind just after the half-hour mark when a loosely marked Rodrigo took advantage from a free-kick to give Spain victory, while Danny Welbeck had a late goal ruled out.
Spain 2-3 England – Nations League – October 2018
Raheem Sterling struck twice to end a three-year international goal drought and earn England a 3-2 win in Seville.
The then-Manchester City forward scored his first international goal since October 2015 with the opener in the 16th minute and grabbed England’s third seven minutes before the break after Rashford had initially doubled their lead in a breathtaking first-half display.
Spain had a glimmer of hope when Paco Alcacer pulled a goal back before the hour-mark, but Sergio Ramos’ late goal proved to be a consolation as England earned revenge for their defeat a month earlier in what was their first win in Spain since February 1987.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
