Ollie Watkins labelled Spain's Lamine Yamal as a "generational talent" ahead of England's clash with La Roja in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday. 

Yamal played a key role in Spain reaching their first major tournament final since 2012, scoring a stunner to cancel out Randal Kolo Muani's opener before Dani Olmo's winner four minutes later. 

The teenager has had 13 shot involvements following a ball carry at Euro 2024 (six shots, seven chances created), at least three more than any other player.

Having beaten Pele's record in becoming the youngest player to score at a major tournament, more history beckons for Yamal in Berlin. 

A day after his 17th birthday, the Barcelona forward could be the youngest player to feature in a World Cup or European Championship final, again, beating Pele's record from the 1958 World Cup (17y 249d).

“Everyone's seen what he can do. It's not often that you are scoring a goal against France in the top corner in the semi-final of the Euros when you're 16," Watkins said.

"He’s got the world at his feet and is miles ahead of me when I was 16 or 17.”

England left it late to secure their place in their first major tournament final on foreign soil, with Watkins striking the deciding blow against the Netherlands. 

The Three Lions' hopes of reaching back-to-back European Championship finals were dented early on when Xavi Simons fired beyond Jordan Pickford from distance. 

However, Harry Kane levelled from the spot, before Watkins emerged from the bench to fire Gareth Southgate's side into the tournament's showpiece game. 

Watkins was under no illusions about the difficulty awaiting his side in Berlin, acknowledging Spain's run to the final where they have beaten Italy, Germany and France.

“They’ve had to come through a harder journey than us playing against Italy, Germany and France - the so-called bigger teams - and I feel like they have been probably the best team of the competition so far," he said.

“The wingers for Spain are very dynamic, young, full of confidence and direct but also across our team, we have goals from everywhere and world class talent, so it's going to be a very exciting match.

"I can't wait to watch it and be a part of it. And hopefully we can get the get the job done."

Like many England fans, Watkins has had his fourth international goal from their semi-final win over the Netherlands on repeat. 

"I watched it quite a few times, when I got back to camp," said Watkins. "I was manifesting it, a lot has led up to it.

"A good friend said he felt like I would score in the Euros final, I did it a match before, but you never know, I might be saving another one for the final."

Carlos Alcaraz is confident that Sunday will be a good day for the people of Spain as he prepares to defend his Wimbledon crown. 

Alcaraz became just the second Spaniard after Rafael Nadal to reach multiple singles finals at Wimbledon following his 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 6-4 6-4 win on Centre Court. 

The 21-year-old's match against either Novak Djokovic will take place hours before Spain face England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin. 

"I feel like I am not new anymore. I know how I feel before the final I have been in this position before - I will try to do the things that I didn't do last year and be better," Alcaraz told Annabel Croft in his post-match interview. 

"I will also try the things that went well - it will be a good day for Spanish people as well!"

The world number three went on to jokingly reference the European Championship final, saying: "I didn't say Spain was going to win."

But Alcaraz's quest for a fourth grand slam title was anything but straightforward, coming from a set down to edge a classic against Medvedev.

In a game that saw nine break points converted (Alcaraz six, Medvedev three), Alcaraz acknowledged the difficulties he faced in SW19. 

"I tried to play long rallies and tried to play to the net as much as I can. I tried to not play his game," Alcaraz said. 

"There were a few points that were really long rallies, but I tried to put my own game [on the match]. It was difficult to break the wall!

"Different conditions, but happy with my performance today. He was dominating the match and playing great tennis with his serves. It was difficult for me and he tried to pull out all the shots."

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has asked Gareth Southgate to "do it for me, Sir Bobby [Robson] and England" in the Euro 2024 final.

For the second consecutive European Championships, England booked a place in the final after beating the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

In Euro 2020, the Three Lions lost 3-2 on penalties to Italy after playing out a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. This year, they will face Spain in the showcase match in Berlin on Sunday.

England have never won the Euros, with their last major tournament win coming in the 1966 World Cup.

Eriksson took charge of the national team between 2001 and 2006 and was in charge of their so-called 'golden generation', though they failed to make it past the quarter-finals of either the World Cup or the Euros while he was in charge.

With England now one match away from ending a 58-year wait for a trophy, Eriksson has backed Southgate to get his hands on the trophy.

"Gareth, do it for me, Sir Bobby and England," Eriksson told The Telegraph.

"The job of England manager brings with it a beautiful pressure. You hear so much about 1966 and what Sir Alf Ramsey's team did, and you know how much expectation there is on you to end all those years of hurt.

"I felt it. Sir Bobby Robson felt it. Every one of the 13 managers since Sir Alf [Ramsey] will have felt it. None of us succeeded, but no one has come closer than Gareth Southgate.

"Gareth is certainly the best English coach since Sir Alf. Win in Berlin on Sunday and I believe he should be considered better.

"Gareth has learnt from the mistakes we made – handling the mental block of penalties, in particular – and has gone further than any of us ever did.

"Now he, his players and the entire nation must know England can win. If you believe in something, it can happen, and that includes beating Spain in the final."

In Eriksson's final tournament in charge of England, the 2006 World Cup, the team lost 3-1 on penalties to Portugal.

Under Southgate, England have only lost one of their three shootouts – the final in 2021 – but stayed perfect from the spot as they overcame Switzerland in the quarter-finals last week.

Eriksson admits he should have prepared the team better during his tenure, but is proud of how the current manager has addressed the problem.

"One of my biggest regrets as England manager is that I did not appoint a psychologist to deal with that," Eriksson added. "I thought we were grown up and could handle the pressure of penalties, but unfortunately, it was not like that.

"I never thought I would see the day when England were so good at penalties. During my time, before it, and even a little bit after it, we were not good at them.

"I still hope the final does not go to penalties like the Italy match and is settled in normal or extra time. If there are penalties, though, there is absolutely no fear.

"I would love to see England win. So would every one of the managers who has tried and failed to win a major trophy since 1966. Come on, Gareth. Do what we never could."

Spain's Dani Olmo has said he is not afraid of England's Jude Bellingham ahead of their Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday. 

Olmo has starred for La Roja in Germany, notching three goals and two assists, which crucially gives him the edge in the race for the Golden Boot ahead of Harry Kane. 

The Spaniard's statistics are more impressive having only started one of their first four games at the tournament. 

Olmo's goal against France made him the first Spanish player to score in three successive games at the European Championships. 

His five goal involvements for Luis de la Fuente's side is also the most by a Spaniard at a major tournament since David Silva at Euro 2012 (two goals, three assists). 

However, Bellingham has also shone at Euro 2024, carrying on his impressive form that saw him net 23 times in all competitions during his debut season for Real Madrid. 

Bellingham has scored twice for England at the tournament, including the Three Lions opening goal of the competition against Serbia. 

The 21-year-old's late strike against Slovakia in the last 16 was England's latest-ever goal scored in normal time at a major tournament. 

However, Olmo has insisted that he does not fear Bellingham ahead of their showdown for the Henri Delaunay Cup. 

“I'm not afraid. Bellingham is a reference point there, football is played through his boots. He is always in the thick of things," Olmo said. 

"He is a player to be taken into account, but I don't fear anyone.”

Spain's Dani Olmo has said he is not afraid of England's Jude Bellingham ahead of their Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday. 

Olmo has starred for La Roja in Germany, notching three goals and two assists, which crucially gives him the edge in the race for the Golden Boot ahead of Harry Kane. 

The Spaniard's statistics are more impressive having only started one of their first four games at the tournament. 

Olmo's goal against France made him the first Spanish player to score in three successive games at the European Championships. 

His five goal involvements for Luis de la Fuente's side is also the most by a Spaniard at a major tournament since David Silva at Euro 2012 (two goals, three assists). 

However, Bellingham has also shone at Euro 2024, carrying on his impressive form that saw him net 23 times in all competitions during his debut season for Real Madrid. 

Bellingham has scored twice for England at the tournament, including the Three Lions opening goal of the competition against Serbia. 

The 21-year-old's late strike against Slovakia in the last 16 was England's latest-ever goal scored in normal time at a major tournament. 

However, Olmo has insisted that he does not fear Bellingham ahead of their showdown for the Henri Delaunay Cup. 

“I'm not afraid. Bellingham is a reference point there, football is played through his boots. He is always in the thick of things," Olmo said. 

"He is a player to be taken into account, but I don't fear anyone.”

Former England striker Gary Lineker says the Three Lions are on the "brink of history" after reaching the Euro 2024 final.

England produced arguably their best performance of the tournament so far as they beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-final on Wednesday.

It has been 58 years since England's men won a major tournament, the 1966 World Cup, though that and their Euro 2020 final appearance both came on home soil.

Gareth Southgate's side are now looking to make history against Spain on Sunday by winning the European Championships for the first time.

"I think it's hugely significant for English football," said Lineker, who represented England at four major tournaments.

"They were in a final, they were in the last final of the Euros, of course, and that was at Wembley, and that ended up in huge disappointment [losing to Italy on penalties].

"This is going to be tough; it's going to be difficult, but they're on the brink of history. No English team in football has ever won a major tournament abroad."

At times during Euro 2024, England have been criticised for their performances after edging to a first-place finish in Group C before having to come from behind in each of their three knockout matches.

Xavi Simons gave the Netherlands the lead on Wednesday before Harry Kane cancelled out his goal from the penalty spot.

Ollie Watkins then came off the bench to score the winner in the 90th minute, with his goal the fourth England have scored after the 80th minute in the tournament so far, including extra time.

In their final Euro 2024 test, they come up against a Spain side who have won all their games at the tournament, but Lineker is confident they will find a way past La Roja in Berlin.

"They have got that kind of never-say-die attitude, which is something that is hugely important," Lineker added.

"Even when they weren't playing great, they were grinding out results. And it's an old football cliche that if you can win when you play badly, then things are not that bad.

"I don't really think I'm surprised at how we have done it, because we've got the individuals, world-class footballers right across the pitch.

"Yes, they started slowly, and something wasn't quite right about things, but they've worked it out, and they've got gradually better as the tournament progressed. It's much better that way round."

Declan Rice says England's Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy will "haunt him forever" and has urged the team to use it as motivation against Spain on Sunday.

England booked their place in the Euro 2024 showpiece with a last-gasp 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday.

In their last such final, they were beaten 3-2 on penalties at Wembley after playing out a 1-1 draw with Italy over 120 minutes.

Rice was one of those in the team that lost three years ago, and he is keen to put that result behind them by going one better this time around.

"Seeing Italy lift that trophy will haunt me forever," said Rice.

"We are now presented with another opportunity where we can write our own history, but we are up against another top side who we have to massively respect.

"Hopefully, now we can do it. Not only for each other but also for the manager. I think he deserves it."

Under Gareth Southgate, England have now reached at least the semi-final stage three times, and Sunday's match in Berlin is their first-ever major tournament final on foreign soil.

This time, they will come up against three-time winners Spain, and the Three Lions manager says there is no room for error if they want to come out on top.

"They would be rightly favourites for what they have done this tournament. They have been the best team," said Southgate.

“They have got a day longer and in the past three finals, maybe more, it has been quite significant, so we have got to get our recovery spot on.

“Tactically we will have to be perfect as they are such a good side. But, you know, we are here."

Harry Kane is England's greatest ever player and a certainty to start Sunday's Euro 2024 final versus Spain, says former Three Lions defender Gary Neville.

Kane has scored three goals to help England to a second straight Euros final, including an equaliser from the penalty spot in Wednesday's semi-final win over the Netherlands.

However, the Bayern Munich star's performance levels have been criticised throughout the tournament and it was his replacement from the bench, Ollie Watkins, who steered England into the final with a last-minute winner versus the Oranje.

Ivan Toney also replaced Kane to good effect against Switzerland in the quarter-finals, converting a no-look penalty as England triumphed on spot-kicks, and some have suggested Gareth Southgate should drop his captain for Sunday's Berlin showpiece.

Neville disagrees, pointing to the fact his nine knockout-stage goals at World Cups or European Championships are the most of any European player in history.

"I spoke to Wayne Rooney four or five weeks ago before the tournament started and he said Harry Kane is the greatest England player ever," Neville told Sky Sports News. "I wouldn't fight to disagree with him.

"Harry Kane has been absolutely sensational. I always called him gold when he was at Tottenham, you just know full well that he's going to deliver for you. He's a solid character.

"I think he's obviously below his best in this tournament, it does look like he is carrying something and it wouldn't surprise me at all if it emerged in a week or two that he's had issues during the tournament with something that he's trying to bandage up.

"You look at that record now and some of the greatest goalscorers of all time are on that list. Harry Kane is someone who will not be dropped by Gareth Southgate. 

"I know there is a sense that people think we are better without him, but it wouldn't send a great message to the squad internally. He's very clearly their leader and Southgate has full, total faith in him.

"I also think if you're the opposition team, he is England's talisman. He's the man who has gone over to Germany this year and has ripped it up from a goalscoring perspective."

As well becoming the first England captain to lift a major trophy on foreign soil, Kane could add the Golden Boot to the one he won at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Dani Olmo is currently ahead of him in the running by virtue of recording two assists, with both players level on three goals. 

Gareth Southgate believes England have every chance of upsetting Spain in Sunday's Euro 2024 final, although he warned the Three Lions will have to be at their best with and without the ball.

England are through to their second successive European Championship final after Ollie Watkins came off the bench to net a 90th-minute winner in Wednesday's semi-final against the Netherlands.

They have now reached more major tournament finals in four attempts under Southgate (two), than they did in 23 campaigns before his 2016 appointment (one).

But if England are to end a 58-year wait to follow up their 1966 World Cup win, they will have to get past the only team to win all six of their matches at the tournament.

Since the group stage was introduced in 1980, only France in 1984 (5/5) have won the Euros while maintaining a 100 per cent record.  

While Southgate has full faith in England's ability to hurt La Roja, he says their first challenge will be to get hold of the ball.

"We will have to get the ball off them first," Southgate said of Spain. "It is not as simple as us having the ball and making them run. 

"We have to be exceptional with the ball and without it. They have been the best team.

"We are starting to show a better version of ourselves, but we are in there with what we have shown to this point. 

"We have as good a chance as they do. We have come here to win it. It is a huge task, but we are still here and fighting."

Luis de la Fuente's side reached the final by overcoming France 2-1 on Tuesday, and their 13 goals at this edition of the Euros have only ever been bettered by France in 1984 (14).

The Spain squad watched Wednesday's second semi-final together, before De la Fuente began preparing for Sunday's showpiece game.

He told Spanish outlet La 1: "Both teams were very tough opponents.

"We are going to have played all the great teams in this competition, and it couldn't be any other way. The two best teams made it to the final.

"We had dinner and were watching the match, and then we were in our office, analysing it in a more relaxed way. 

"Now our work begins to analyse England in more detail."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Spain – Lamine Yamal 

Yamal made history in the last four, his stunning equaliser making him the youngest player to ever score at a World Cup or Euros.

Aged 17 years and one day, he could be the youngest ever player to feature in a World Cup or European Championship final, surpassing Pele's record from the 1958 World Cup (17 years, 249 days). 

He has three assists so far at Euro 2024, with no Spaniard ever providing more at a single edition of the tournament.

He has had 13 shot involvements following a ball carry at Euro 2024 (six shots, seven chances created), at least three more than any other player.

England – Phil Foden

Foden produced his best display of the tournament in the semi-finals, recording a game-high three shots, hitting the post with one long-range strike and seeing another effort cleared off the goal line.

He also completed all 40 of his attempted passes before being withdrawn for Cole Palmer, who teed up the Three Lions' winner.

England's switch to a back three has benefitted Foden, allowing him to play from the right-hand side and cut onto his favoured left foot. 

Might he silence his doubters on the biggest stage of all?

MATCH PREDICTION: SPAIN WIN

This will be the third meeting between Spain and England at the Euros, and the Three Lions have fond memories of the previous two, winning 2-1 in the group stage in 1980 and progressing on penalties after a quarter-final draw in 1996.

However, La Roja have only lost four of their last 14 meetings with England overall, having lost the previous seven in a row.

Spain have also won their last three major tournament finals and could become the first European nation to triumph in four straight World Cup/Euros title matches. 

The Opta supercomputer gives them a 60.4 per cent chance of lifting the trophy to England's 39.6 per cent. 

England will play their first major tournament final on foreign soil after playing the showpiece games at the 1966 World Cup and Euro 2020 at Wembley. 

They have never lost a match in Berlin in six attempts (four wins, two draws), only playing more often in Helsinki (eight times), Amsterdam and Sunderland (seven each) without ever losing. 

Can they upset the tournament's outstanding team to bring it home?

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Spain – 40.5 per cent

England – 29.0 per cent

Draw – 30.5 per cent

Rodri is being told to leave Manchester City "every day" by Dani Carvajal as the Real Madrid defender believes his Spain team-mate is "perfect" for the LaLiga giants.

The pair are playing together at Euro 2024, where Spain will meet England in Sunday's final in Berlin.

While the Three Lions were widely considered the pre-tournament favourites, La Roja have been the standout team at the finals, led by Rodri.

The 28-year-old midfielder has established himself as one of the best in world football since joining City from Atletico Madrid in 2019.

And despite his Atleti past, Rodri can be in no doubt about the sort of welcome he would receive if he returned to Madrid, his home city, with Los Blancos.

Carvajal has made it clear how Rodri would fit in at the Santiago Bernabeu, revealing their conversations to El Partidazo de COPE.

"Without a doubt, I tell him this every day," Carvajal said when asked if he would sign Rodri. "[I tell him] to leave Manchester, that there is no sun, 'you are from Madrid and we need you'.

"But he drags it out. He would fit in perfectly."

Rodri scored eight goals and provided nine assists in the Premier League in 2023-24, setting career highs in both categories while also shielding the second-best defence in the division.

Meanwhile, Toni Kroos was Madrid's leading creator in LaLiga, with eight assists, but has since retired.

The Netherlands and England were to face off in the second semi-final at Euro 2024.

A place in Sunday's showpiece match in Berlin was up for grabs, with Spain the opponents.

La Roja defeated France 2-1 in a thrilling clash on Tuesday.

Here, we round up the best Euro 2024 social media posts from Tuesday and Wednesday.

Dortmund goes Dutch

Dortmund isn't far from the Dutch border, so it was no surprise to see a swathe of Oranje fans head over to western Germany to get a taste of the atmosphere, even if they didn't manage to get a ticket.

As they have been all tournament, the Netherlands supporters were in fantastic voice as they took over the centre of the city.

Apparently, there were around 110,000 Dutch fans who took part in the fan march.

Imagine what it'll be like if they make the final!

Carragher lauds Cody 

Cody Gakpo has been hugely impressive at Euro 2024, and has been crucial in the Netherlands' run. 

The forward has not always found his best form for club side Liverpool, but Jamie Carragher has been impressed with Gakpo's performances in Germany.

"He's been their number one attacker, and we're waiting for that to transform into a Liverpool shirt. He's done well, but it's not been easy for him," said Carragher.

"He's playing in a position that favours him, out on the left. He's been a revelation, no doubt he's been one of the best in the tournament."

Van Dijk's fan club

Virgil van Dijk is another Dutch star who plies his trade for Liverpool, and the Oranje fans were chanting their captain's name ahead of kick-off.

Here, journalist Chris Chambers shared a taste of the atmosphere in Dortmund.

Boy wonder

Lamine Yamal played a starring role in Spain's victory over France on Tuesday, scoring a sublime equaliser.

That made the 16-year-old the youngest-ever player to net at the Euros.

BBC Sport pundit Gary Lineker eulogised over the Barcelona prodigy on 'The Rest Is Football' podcast.

Mi hermano

Yamal is not the only Spain winger to have dazzled in Germany, with Nico Williams having also caught the eye.

But Williams was more than happy for the limelight to be on his "brother" after Yamal's stunner.

It's worth noting, mind, that Williams does have an actual brother, who he plays alongside at Athletic Bilbao - that's Inaki Williams.

On your marks...

England have hardly been the most impressive of sides at Euro 2024, but they are, nevertheless, in the semi-finals.

And they do not want to go home now.

The Three Lions' squad were sharpening up in training on Monday with some sprints and races, by the looks. Will that have come in handy against the Dutch?

Selfie time

Dortmund is, of course, home to one of Germany's biggest clubs, and one of BVB's star players, Karim Adeyemi, proved to be something of an attraction for a section of Dutch fans who spotted the winger sitting in traffic in the city.

A journalist spotted the fans crowding Adeyemi's car, and filmed the action.

Didier Deschamps piled praise on Olivier Giroud after the veteran striker's international career ended in disappointment with defeat in the Euro 2024 semi-final.

France took the lead against Spain through Randal Kolo Muani on Tuesday, but a stunning strike from Lamine Yamal – who became the youngest goalscorer in World Cup or Euros history – got Spain back on level terms.

Dani Olmo then netted in a quickfire turnaround and Spain held on for victory in the second half to book a place in the final against either England or the Netherlands.

France struggled to live up to their tag as joint pre-tournament favourites with England, but still ground their way through to the last four, only to come unstuck in Munich.

Kylian Mbappe admitted after the match that both he and France failed at the Euros. Les Bleus lost a major tournament semi-final for the first time since Euro 1996, with the new Real Madrid forward wasting one good opportunity late on.

Mbappe ended the tournament with no non-penalty goals from 23 such shots. Since records began in 1980, only Deco in 2004 (24) has ever had more non-penalty shots without netting at a single edition of the European Championships.

And the goal from Kolo Muani, which was set up by Mbappe, meant France had finally scored their first non-penalty goal at Euro 2024 (excluding own goals), with their 87th shot from such situations.

The international career of France's top scorer Giroud came to an end in the match, as he made a late substitute appearance.

Giroud played 137 times and scored 57 goals – more than any other player for France – and won the World Cup in 2018.

But he spent most of his last tournament on the bench, tallying just 56 minutes of game time in four outings.

Giroud, 37, announced his retirement from international football prior to the Euros, having secured a move to Los Angeles FC from AC Milan.

"He had a lot of good moments, but also some more difficult ones," coach Deschamps said about Giroud's France career after the Spain loss.

"He is an example of longevity, seriousness and professionalism. Even though he had less playing time at this Euro, he was fully with the squad. 

"He is one of the leaders. I want to say well done and thank you."

Giroud also helped France to reach the final at Euro 2016 and World Cup 2022.

As well as Mbappe and Giroud, it was a tough tournament for Antoine Griezmann, who set a record against Spain when he came on as a second-half substitute to play his 36th match at the Euros and World Cup combined.

While there has been speculation over the 33-year-old’s international future, the Atletico Madrid forward vowed to get back to his best following criticism of his form. 

He made six appearances but did not register a goal or an assist and had lost his place in the France starting line-up by the time of their elimination.

"I started the tournament badly but I felt better and better, even if I ended up on the bench," said Griezmann. 

"I’ll be back. I tried to give everything, in different positions too, I had to adapt. This is the life of a footballer. Others didn't play a minute, so it's not me who is going to complain."

Luis de la Fuente is hopeful the freak injury suffered by captain Alvaro Morata after Spain's Euro 2024 semi-final win over France is "nothing".

Morata held his knee and limped down the tunnel after a security guard slipped and slid into him in the aftermath of Tuesday's 2-1 victory in Munich.

The security guard was trying to apprehend a pitch invader who ran in the direction of the celebrating Spain players at the Allianz Arena.

While the full extent of the damage to Morata's knee is still unknown, De la Fuente is hoping to have the striker available for Sunday's final.

"Alvaro... We have to wait and see tomorrow," he told reporters. "We believe it's nothing. It hurts, but we think it's nothing."

Morata played 76 minutes for Spain as quickfire goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo cancelled out Randal Kolo Muani's early opener.

Yamal's superb strike from range made him the youngest player to ever score in a European Championship finals at 16 years and 362 days.

The Barcelona youngster has been one of the stars of Spain's run to the final, where either England or the Netherlands await in Berlin.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Yamal said: "I'm very happy to have made it to the final. Now the most important thing is to win it.

"We were in a difficult moment early on; you wouldn't expect a goal so soon. I wanted to put it in where it went in, and I'm very happy. 

"I try not to think too much, enjoy it and help the team and if it works out like this, I'm happy and content with the victory."

Yamal, who turns 17 on Saturday, added: "I want to win, win and win. I'll celebrate my birthday here in Germany with my team."

Spain will now have a close eye on Wednesday's second semi-final as they prepare for their first major tournament final since Euro 2012.

Experienced defender Nacho, who made his Spain debut the year after that tournament win, said: "I'm happy and exhausted after that match. 

"It's emotional for all the country. We showed lots of character and how you grow with adversity."

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente labelled Lamine Yamal's goal as a "touch of genius" following their 2-1 triumph over France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024. 

De la Fuente's side came from a goal behind to book their place in Sunday's final in Berlin, with Yamal starting the comeback with a fine effort from outside the area. 

The 16-year-old became the youngest player to score a goal at a major tournament, a record previously held by Brazil’s Pele against Wales at the 1958 World Cup. 

"We all know who he is. We need to take care of him," de la Fuente said. 

"I want him to work with the same humility, keep his feet on the ground in order to keep improving, learning with the same kind of attitude and that professionalism, that maturity that he shows on the pitch.

"He looks like a much more experienced player to be honest but fundamentally I celebrate that he's in our team, that he's Spanish and that we count on him and I hope we can enjoy him for years to come."

Spain's triumph also saw them become the first team to win six matches at a single edition of the Euros, reaching their first international final since 2012. 

It was just the second time in the tournament that La Roja had fallen behind in a game, previously doing so against Georgia in their last 16 clash in Cologne. 

De la Fuente praised his sides cohesion and quality to come from a goal down, lauding Spain's spirit of sacrifice. 

"Our idea of football is based on our self-assurance. This is what we want to play, we want to play to our strengths," the Spain head coach said.

"I know that we are able to play football, we've seen it throughout the tournament. 

"Individually they are fantastic but they offer the collective benefits of their individual qualities, they always work for the common good, for the collective effort.

"They are very generous in their efforts and work rate. This is just one more sign that this is an insatiable team, that they want to keep improving with the spirit of sacrifice."

Kylian Mbappe has admitted both he and France failed at Euro 2024 after Les Bleus' campaign was brought crashing to a halt in the semi-finals by Spain.

France had struggled to live up to their tag as pre-tournament favourites in Germany but still ground their way through to the last four, only to come unstuck in Munich.

Randal Kolo Muani gave them an early lead with Les Bleus' first non-penalty goal (excluding own goals) of the tournament, but Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo netted – the former becoming the youngest goalscorer in World Cup or Euros history – in a quickfire turnaround.

France were unable to force an equaliser in the second half as they lost a major tournament semi-final for the first time since Euro 1996, with Mbappe wasting one good opportunity late on.

Mbappe ended the tournament with no non-penalty goals from 23 such shots. Since records began in 1980, only Deco in 2004 (24) has ever had more non-penalty shots without netting at a single edition of the European Championships.

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the defeat, Mbappe said: "They played a better game than us. We conceded two goals quickly and in the second half we had chances to come back but we didn't take them.

"The competition was a failure. I wanted us to be European champions and we're not. That's football."

Having suffered a broken nose during France's Group D opener against Austria last month, Mbappe was asked whether his condition had impacted his form. 

The forward – who will link up with his new Real Madrid team-mates in the coming weeks – refused to blame the injury for his lack of goals, saying: "We have to move on. 

"It's been a long year, I'm going to go on vacation to rest, it's going to do me a lot of good. We mustn't complicate football too much.

"You're good or you're not good. I wasn't good and we're going home, it's simple. I have to rest. After that, I'm leaving for a new life."

Mbappe played the semi-final without the protective mask he wore for France's last three games, which Didier Deschamps previously said was impacting his vision.

Asked about the decision to abandon the mask, Mbappe said: "We made the choice before the match.

"I was fed up with the mask. I asked the doctor if I could play without it, and he told me to do what I want."