ENGLAND VS SPAIN FINAL PREVIEW

[@2723cadd]

If there is one man who can kill a fast paced game it’s Southgate, his excruciatingly painful style of football might actually be the perfect counter for this Spanish side. Control the game, make it boring. And sneak a 1-0 win.

[@stevenesbitt3528]

It worked for the Swiss, they looked awful against us

[@jackninetynine5036]

Almost as if pragmatism is relatively successful in international football…. Everyone ignores that when they want us to score 5 goals every game

[@2723cadd]

@@jackninetynine5036 People want us to score 5 goals against teams who have semi-pro’s and window cleaners in holding midfield. That isn’t an unreasonable request. We can understand being a bit more pragmatic against top sides.

[@jamesduffy7549]

​@@2723caddthose prepare you for top teams and you aren't constantly switching play styles mid tournament. You don't get time with these players to implement multiple systems well, stick to what you want to do against the top teams its practise.

[@dappahjord1174]

Been saying this since the group stages!!! We stifle the life out of teams and no one even will like playing us. Typical Blighty 😂

[@thefootballpunnedit]

When James said we have a good athletic group… that is what I’ve been thinking the whole time. We are athletic. We can make up a yard of pace if caught not in the perfect position. We can win unfavourable duels… we can eat up the ground… we can bully them at times. Walker and Saka arent going to get ghosted easily. Trippier and Guehi are no slouches defensively. I hope there is a clear approach to the trasitions… they press so high man for man if you get out of the first phase we can really cook with space. Rice Bellingham Foden and Saka are all a great threat if given space to drive and build up a head of steam. I believe these pressing Spaniards are beatable. Rodri is an alien… but their back 4 aren’t. Cucurella isnt… Nacho isn’t… Simon is not prime Buffon.

[@hottakehylas]

They're all athletic...except for Shaw. He's just a fattie. Hardly moves. I think Tripper actually did much better in the first half and I'd start him again. I don't think Shaw passed the ball forward once.

[@jsimms4292]

@@hottakehylasdon’t be silly. Shaw is a very respectable athlete .

[@malvadofendetestas7387]

Of course we are beatable and player for player England got Top players but Spain we play like team,let see Sunday❌️🇪🇸💪❤️💛❤️

[@treydog700]

@@jsimms4292yes he is but he is coming off an injury and I think it’s fair to say that it’s easy to see he hasn’t been playing for a couple of months

[@cartz.g]

Cook with space… 😂😂😂

[@hottakehylas]

I was skeptical that Mainoo was going to be ready for such an inportant role but hes been our 2nd best player behind Guehi imo (who i was also dubious about pre-tournament). Mainoo was my MOTM against Holland. Im a villa supporter and adore Watkins and love that he had that moment, but giving him MOTM was lidocrous and makes the prize a joke

[@tsfb1]

Happy the guy scored but 4 touches and a goal for MOTM is a joke 😂😂😂

[@jacklane3679]

@@tsfb1 So glad I'm not alone... makes some sense in that he changed the game, but Mainoo made us tick all game. The kid is outrageous for his age... we've got another one!!

[@SH7SH7SH7]

Mainoo would be our best player if Southgate gave him a chance from the start of the tournament

[@alphonsoacqua]

It was unfair not to give it to Mainoo, I thought that as well. Foden in the first half was also outstanding.

[@safcjoe7062]

​@izotic_iconic5742 defo moment of the game but Mainoo is so good. Our most complete midfielder imo. 30% of the earth is covered by him after all.

[@dokjastopsimp2370]

I honestly can't imagine Spain not scoring in this match. They've put multiple past France who are by far the best team defensively in the tournament so it all comes down to whether england can score.

[@setransou]

They had only two shots on goal the whole game against France. Sadly both hit the back of the net.

[@thenewHBK]

France only scored 1 goal in open play and that was against Spain and should have scored more. England have conceded 4 goals and Spain have conceded 3. So they can be got at as well

[@safcjoe7062]

​@@thenewHBKit's got 2-2 written all over it for me. Both putting a couple past the 2 best defensive sides of the tournament(Holland on paper have the best back 4). Spain have been way more consistent tho so it's understandable why they're the favourites. Plus, they beat the Champions, Hosts and the Favourites to win the whole thing. England have grown into the tournament and have squad depth that can get us out of trouble but I believe it'll be an even game, the boys will do us proud tomorrow.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@mitchellgoodgame9059]

When Kane is chasing a golden boot, he normally lights up! Maybe this could be his game…

[@Jay_Coop]

Love the Gordon shout, I think this game is going to be his moment, just a feeling! 🎉 Could it be Shaw > Gordon if we’re chasing?

[@timmurray9543]

Foden has been way better on right w saka. Seems crazy to move him

[@syedasadhaider4677]

fully agree

[@ride19881]

Correct. Mainoo, Saka and Foden linking up is the best we've looked all tournament.

[@oliverdorman215]

I think Spain are gonno make us suffer soooo much. But.... I feel its still coming home, cant explain it, other than a strange feeling i didnt have 3 years ago against Italy. It reminds me so much of United in the FA cup this season or Real Madrids Champions league glories Neither were the best teams in their respective competitions but they kept winning. Plus ALL the narratives are in englands favour... Southgates redemption Saka redemption Kane winning his first ever trophy Bellingham ending the season with a treble England winning in Germany avenging the reverse in Euro 96 Mainoo emerging from nowhere to boss it all Pickfords cockiness reaping fruit It could be a thrashing, 4-0 spain and i would applaud this great spanish unit if they do it. But again i just have this feeling, Greece 2004, Portugal 2016. Will England join them, i pray we do C'MON THE 3 LIONS!!!

[@haruntekin6724]

Oh fuck, you got me feeling it now.....

[@alphonsoacqua]

Fantastic comment mate.

[@bna919]

Yeah this is the only time I've actually felt England would win a final.

[@freddiecharman9015]

I agree with most stuff you said jim HOWEVER they will be very weary of us. We haven't played that well, but we keep going through, we keep going behind but coming back, we have world class super stars that will die on that pitch. This team does not know when to die. We are going to go behind, but we will come back and we will win! You've gotta dream mate if not what's the point its what footballs all about! Cmon lads. Either 2-1 or 2-2 and we win 3-2 in extra time or pens.

[@Jos-z5v]

I’d much prefer to be the underdogs going into this final, that’s usually when something special happens. I feel England are in a similar position to Italy in the last finals, they were underdogs, they were playing England at Wembley and yet you believed they’d still somehow win. Also a similar feel of momentum as Argentina did in the WC and Ivory Coast at AFCON, you just feel like it’s going to happen, you can’t explain it.

[@eesafredericks2122]

England have 3 of the best players itw in their positions how are they underdogs????

[@taran2018]

@@eesafredericks2122Because we’re up against this Spain team and everyone knows we haven’t played well this tournament. Most people consider Spain the favourites.

[@Arystan0271]

@@eesafredericks2122 if you haven't been watching the current euros then you might consider england favourite, because they are on paper. But they had a weak group and barely beat slovakia while spain beat everyone they faced including crotaia, italy, germany, france. It's only fair to consider them favourites

[@alexorlandini7792]

James we love you but I’m so happy to see you at these big games.. I’ve followed you for a while great content but glad to see your channel grow so much

[@vlahovilla]

I do believe that if we truly set up for it England could make a sort of unstoppable force versus immovable object scenario... Gordon Watkins Saka Bellingham/Mainoo Rice Gallagher I'm not sure there is a team on the planet that survives that sort of front 6 pressing them. I think our issues will come from not being able to cover both wings. Yamal and Williams are brilliant 1v1 but you can't get better than Walker/Konsa in that scenario... it'll be Lamine dragging a Tripper or Shaw that'll hurt us.

[@SH7SH7SH7]

No way you play Gallagher in the final 😂😂😂

[@vlahovilla]

@@SH7SH7SH7 I mean it's hypothetical, in reality you can't start Gallagher/Gordon because they haven't had the minutes and can't drop Kane because he's the captain... I will say that not only will Gallagher play in the final, he'll also play a massive role in the game... if you watched any England this tournament you'd know that Bellingham and Rice look shattered and won't last anything over 90mins especially against a Spanish midfield that constantly moves the ball he'll be needed. We will see who's laughing tomorrow.

[@eesafredericks2122]

@@vlahovilla Mainoo makes more sense

[@jonahbrock3768]

maybe due to copyrights its not possible but before or at some point of the analysis of a play it would be helpful to see the clip play, then deep dive with the still shots into the clip.

[@edwardbaker9657]

Copyright stops him.

[@Ahrimas]

Yeah it would be so much better with video examples, but I assume it would get taken down immediately

[@ThisIsAitch]

Bowen to come on and dink in a 90th minute winner like the Europa Conf final 😍

[@martymiguel4496]

It will take s miracle for England to not only lose. But lose comfortably. Spain are light years ahead

[@adamnichols26]

your gain is peaking my guy! I just wonder if Spain have the same attitude as England, very weary of the threats and thinking about how we can stop them. I don't think they do. I think teams like Spain have "let them worry about us, we will play our game" attitude. This is why I think England have struggled for many years. Different football culture and mindset.

[@MrBectham]

Antony Gordon is very suitable for this game from my perspective, he might be an other Ollie Watkins in this match 😂😂

[@levstone415]

Probably a mad idea but playing Gordon second half instead a Shaw will mean the Spanish right back (Chelsea guy) has to drop and be more defensive. Gordon's sprint and stamina is excellent. Also this still means we can sub Foden/Bellingham later to bring on Palmer.

[@deanzirolli7826]

The Spanish right back is Dani carvajal. The left back is cucurella and wouldn’t match up against Gordon

[@ajaxm13]

In the live chat "Spain are quality but aren't full of goals" lol, you serious? Highest scoring team of the tournament.

[@liul]

I think some English don't understand how football works

[@owenblondeel2252]

« Mbappé becomes Shaw » is the greatest thing I’ve heard today

[@seanmaddex4104]

I don’t think England can press well enough to stop Spain

[@drew1564]

Well, we don't press anyway, so that's alright

[@jaydanpearce8846]

I feel like it's a very interesting tactical matchup, feels very even and like if either team can execute their game plan and not succumb to the other teams tactics they could take it over 90 or ET, but i feel we have the edge on penalties with Pickford as reliable as he has been and our cold new take on the spot kick routines.

[@ricky100593]

It just feels like it’s England’s time

[@JamesCM86]

It’s never Englands time 😂

[@ricky100593]

@@JamesCM86 until now

[@swangelok]

It wasn't

[@DavidGreen-ot2ni]

Maybe this is the one game that a right footed left back is not to bad an option, Lamal will want to cut inside and not go on the outside, this means the right footed left back can be in a better body position, but I still want Shaw in there as he's a better player all round than Trippier

[@thewellandvalley2103]

No one has made a good argument for why Kane should start. A truly great player but one who is unfit, out of form, and unsuited to the tactics and attributes of the rest of the team. The idea of NOT playing Watkins against Spain’s high line is insane.

[@QuaZamp]

Would love to see an England / Spain + Fa cup final comparison. Could Southgate do a Ten Hag? Needs two goals

[@BukayoDSaka]

Got such a bad feeling that Spain will destroy our midfield. I would honestly bring in wharton or gallagher in the midfield and i really think we need Gordon in too.

[@gershomtan5879]

That would be my fear too. If Mainoo wasn't playing. Ever since he started playing with the 1st team at United I can't think of a single game that we were dominated in midfield. England's issue isn't their midfield either, it's creativity.

[@richardstainer6535]

Mainoo is so press resistant he has to play. He's the only player we have in cm who can take a ball under pressure and either play the right pass or turn, beat the man and put the pressure onto the opponent by disrupting their structure. I honestly think we need to drop foden for gordan, go a more traditional ridged 433 and ask Bellingham to be more box to box so we have 3 in cm when defending. Foden isn't strong enough defensively and gordan stretches the Spanish in behind with pace and directness that foden can't offer and keeps carvajal honest.

[@thefootballpunnedit]

Rice is a more effective man to field if you’re worrying about being over run.

[@thefootballpunnedit]

@@richardstainer6535facts… press resistance is the most under rated quality in CM’s in the modern day. Orel Mangala was never making headlines for Forest… but when we were atrocious this guy was popping out with the ball against 2 on 1’s against the big six. He didnt do anything special but he could go into a tornado full barbed wire and come with the ball unscratched.

[@hottakehylas]

​@@richardstainer6535for some reason GS won't play Gordon. I don't get It.

[@craigbuckland6584]

The actual best way to win would be take a risk and make them worry about us and try and take it to them. Obviously won't happen under GS. getting the ball wide in advanced areas quickly would be essential so Gordan getting picked out with a switch from Trent is the kryptonite to Spains system. Instead we'll sit back with the same side and cross our fingers.

[@hottakehylas]

Yes would be very brave to start Trent and Gordon but he'll never do it

[@dustinmartin6524]

Brother we try that and Spain score 10 billion goals on the transition

[@DazDiablo]

I don't see it happening but I would love to see Trent start for Walker, Shaw on for Trippier and Watkins for Kane.

[@MJisAGlorifiedDemarDerozen]

Saka Maino & Foden work so well together in the buildup putting him on the left is a terrible idea imo

[@eldante4139]

We need to use width to pull Spain wide and create space in the middle. We have to have players especially Kane but including others like a Bellingham and Foden gambling and getting in the box and in and around the penalty spot when we have the ball wide. It’s frustrating that we cross the ball and no one is there. I would love to see Kane dropping off of Watkins but I realise that that won’t work if we also want to play both Bellingham and Foden so maybe it’s an idea for later if we make subs etc.

[@xaltotunacheron7544]

I've heard from liverpool fans that trent can beat spain, especially playing in midfield

[@gershomtan5879]

LOL them scousers have been delusional ever since Trent lost his spot to Mainoo. They've been acting up.

[@whateverjustposting]

someone get 4 tickets so james flav and both their dads can watch england get pumped by spain in berlin for petes sake 🥺

[@timmurray9543]

We haven't looked threatening from crosses at all though? Kane has been slow with runs and apart from first game Bellingham hasn't got on anything.

[@kieranmulgrew5094]

i think we are too worried about the spain press i think gareth should just say look be confident on the ball trust yourself ok sometimes you will lose the ball and thats ok press them straight back just dont over compicate it

[@teemedias1470]

If england are going to win the match against Spain, they have to careful of wing back's this time Marc Cucurella and Daniel Carvajal,not leaving the orchestrator of passing and finishing Daniel olmo in the box of England.

[@safcjoe7062]

I'm confident Rice can play the game of the tournament and keep tight on Olmo. Then Williams up against Walker and Saka will be interesting but I'll back them 2, obviously Shaw up against Yamal will be interesting but luckily he doesn't have the aerial threat Dembele had in the World Cup match.

[@brandonturner9078]

Have you ever thought aboubt playing football manager before?

[@nicolasrodriguez9526]

Having to park the bus with the best players in the world is so embarrassing

[@parkleonarrd]

What if Southgate and His team have been watching your breakdowns to get a little extra insight to win these games or the final? Surely its hire James Lawrence Allcott to the staff right

[@samuelfitzgerald2025]

Against the Netherlands we were sometimes in a 5-3-2 defensively, with Foden dropping back with Rice and Mainoo, and Bellingham staying higher with Kane, which i thought was quite effective.

[@safcjoe7062]

I just hope we don't camp on the edge of the box like we did against Italy. Not saying we'll dominate the possession totally or never be on back foot but hopefully we can have a attacking approach to this game.

[@paulchiuk]

Love this analysis. However, I think there's a lot of goals in this game.

[@Z33Nwa]

Recent subscriber but just wanted to say, your humility is refreshing

[@Jack-rk7zb]

I think you have to play 3 midfielders to try and handle theirs

[@Jack-rk7zb]

Walker stones guehi shaw Gallagher Rice Mainoo Saka Kane Foden

[@mrelano65]

Sounds like a lot for master of strategy Southgate to think about. 😂

[@cade3911]

Foden is a passenger in this team, he’s quality but it just doesn’t work, we’d be better off playing Gordon (if LW) or Palmer (if RCM) instead because they’re better at what they’d have to do in those situations

[@safcjoe7062]

The last 2 games have been Foden's best performances, he just needs to find spaces in the midfield. We can easily overload the midfield with Rice, Mainoo, Bellingham, Foden and maybe Kane if he drops in like he usually does. Spain obviously have the better ball retainers but I think it'd be wise to play the wingback system with Shaw pushing his on that left side(which has been missing the entire tournament), we also have the squad depth that spain(even tho they're a good team) don't have.

[@liul]

Seeing the comments, it's denial the quintessential english sport?

[@stevenesbitt3528]

Anyone know how to watch the game from Spain on a mobile? Vpn?

[@thefootballpunnedit]

Just to to vip box and check the links

[@hottakehylas]

Plentypass has always worked well for me

[@olivergunthorpe1251]

VPN to Ireland and then use RTE streaming. Sometimes it will block you but try two or three times and it has always worked for me.

[@Arystan0271]

there's probably an official website of the channel that's broadcasting the match live and free in Spain

[@McLarry88]

On the RTVE website or on open television channel 1

[@mjd_double-ya3904]

I disagree. Walker on the ball is like prime Zizou 😊

[@REX4340]

You need a better microphone 😊

[@davidjonmoxleyskipp230]

James I used to love your channel but your freeze frame analysis just kills the whole point, SHOW THE CLIPS.

[@barryispuzzled]

You need to take this off-line, edit it down to half the length, then repost it. At the moment, it's punctuated by indecisive presentation and I find it hard to listen to. Make it punchier and it'll be much more enjoyable.

[@andrewlopezmp3]

Thanks mate 😂

[@willsymonds6420]

no one gonna talk about 29:13 😂

[@EJS-7]

I know they can play

[@Scott-qi3wv]

Hope England get smashed. However if you win the only positive I’ll take is that you and flav will love it. I’d be happy purely for you guys… for like 5 mins. But it’s something 😂

[@markmateman2968]

Or , how wil Spain beat England ? 😂

[@giovanniluna1636]

Spain will win 🥇 unless Trent starts

[@dokjastopsimp2370]

brotha Trent's been awful in midfield, starting him there ahead of mainoo would be ridiculous. And if you put him at RB well...Nico vs Trent would not be a pretty sight for the english

[@praisekingjesusforever5494]

John 11.25-26 Jesus said unto her I AM the resurrection and the life he that believes in me though he were dead yet shall he live and whosoever lives and belives in me shall never die believest thou this Amen

[@Nicho213007]

I really hope Spain wins they've been a joy to watch throughout this tournament while England on the other hand is probably the sole reason this tournament has been kinda meh to me with them stinking out the place every single time

[@benjones6363]

Go moan somewhere else lol

[@DirtyOatmilk]

Yeah England winning would just be an L for football. A team with a squad full of extremely talented players playing such a negative brand of football

[@JamesCM86]

I really don’t understand why you watch a team you don’t like…..watch the teams you enjoy and move on. Weird

[@minicheggers]

England have provided some of the best single moments in the tournament like it or not, the football may not have been great but did you say the same about Italy in 2021? Portugal in 2016? International football is about moments.

[@napolean_ragland]

@@DirtyOatmilk An international tournament isnt meant to be like the premier league. Most teams that win them play conservative and defensive football. England are only playing to win a trophy for their own people, not for global entertainment

[@TheChrishoughton]

He's a one trick pony. A kid who is predictable. Enghland will stop them.

[@dondamon4669]

England have had the harder route, Spain teams were all terrible aoart from Germany, England played teams that were hungry and gave everything and sat back so made use look bad

[@ThiagoMandrake-v5p]

SPAIN 5-0 ENGLAND 😂

[@GamerFrisco]

SPAIN 0-6 ENGLAND 😂

[@PGJ0]

bin off this youtube non-sense & get into analysis / coaching

[@jasonwhite1598]

James you’re the best and we love you! Fingers crossed we get it over the line 🫡