Euro 2024 Final LIVE: FA look to extend Southgate deal, Prime Minister hints at bank holiday if England win final against Spain

Live Blog

Updated: 23:10, 11 Jul 2024England are into the final of Euro 2024 after a late win over the Netherlands in an era-defining victory for Gareth Southgate.

The Three Lions have qualified for a second consecutive European Championship final under Southgate where Spain will await.

England came from behind to overcome the Dutch, with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner – and revealing afterwards he had predicted what would happen.

We’ll have all the reaction in our live Euros blog below plus build-up to Sunday’s showpiece occasion live on talkSPORT.

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Euro 2024 Final

Sunday, July 14 – England v Spain, 8pm, Olympiastadion Berlin – LIVE on talkSPORTGaffer’s demandsGareth Southgate says England must be ‘perfect’ against team of the tournament Spain if their first final on foreign soil is to end in a historic European crown.

England secured a showdown against Spain thanks to super-sub Ollie Watkins’ stunning strike at the death against the Netherlands, sealing a 2-1 win and their third major final appearance.

This is the first time an England men’s team have made it to an overseas final and represents a second successive continental final for the Euro 2020 runners-up.

Mightily impressive Spain are the bookmakers’ favourites and Southgate knows his side will have to be at their absolute best if they are to join the 1966 World Cup team in immortality.

“They would be rightly favourites for what they have done this tournament,” the England boss said. “They have been the best team.

“They have got a day longer and in the last 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. And it is a game we can prepare for so no matter what the players have shown, the togetherness and the spirit.

“Ollie being ready for his moment. He has trained like that the whole tournament and his head has never dropped. They have all been ready.

“It is so powerful for them as a group when the subs keep coming on and having the impact that they do. And there are all moments of them being the headline writer and making the difference and that is really powerful.”

Credit: GettyBig fanJason Cundy sent a reminder to any England fans doubting Gareth Southgate that they’ve never had it so good following their country.

Despite his success during his near eight-year premiership, the latest seeing him guide England to a second major final at Euro 2024, Southgate still has his critics.

It’s been reported that the FA are hoping Southgate will extend his stay in the post with his current contract set to run out at the end of the year.

This may irk some but Cundy said to fans that England are just one game away of doing something they’ve never done before in becoming European champions – which has come under Southgate’s guidance.

On Southgate, Cundy said on Drivetime today: “He’s taken this nation a long way. Two finals and a semi-final… and you think about what happened in the previous 50-odd years before he turned up.

“Has it been pretty? No, who cares? If we lift this trophy on Sunday no one’s going to care about the style of football.”

You’re the oneThe FA want Gareth Southgate to stay on as England manager regardless of the outcome of the Euro 2024 final.

Southgate leads his team to a second major final during his premiership as England take on Spain in Berlin on Sunday night, live on talkSPORT.

This could be Southgate’s final tournament in the role with his current contract expiring at the end of the year.

But The Times reports that FA chief executive Mark Bullingham will hold talks with Southgate after the tournament with a view to extending his current deal.

Any new deal would take him through to the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.

Southgate guided England to a first major final since 1966 as the Three Lions reached the final of Euro 2020 three years ago, where they lost on penalties to Italy. They’ve also reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 as well as the quarter-finals in the 2022 tournament.

England haven’t won a trophy since winning the World Cup in 1966.

Credit: Getty‘He’s an inspiration’ Weston-super-Mare academy director Ed Bliss has been speaking about the pride felt at the club following Ollie Watkins’ England heroics. 

Watkins spent some time on loan at the non-league club during the 2014/15 season and scored 10 goals across 25 appearances. 

“He’s an inspiration for our academy and the rest of the club,” Bliss told talkSPORT. 

“He was a lovely guy when he was with us, just a good, grounded bloke. 

“He integrated with all the fans, the kids loved him, he was so good to be around. 

“Yesterday was so special for him. 

“You could see there was something there. It’s one of those things where the top scouts dig out that special, and you could see he was a quality player.”

Koeman can’t moan talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy ‘couldn’t care less’ about the controversy over Harry Kane’s penalty last night.

And he has taken aim at Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman.

“Personally, the first time that I saw it I thought there was a foul there – Dumfries get none of the ball,” Cundy said.

“I know what he’s doing, he’s trying to block the shot and on social media it really is split.

“That’s the thing with football, it’s so subjective and that’s why you get scenarios where people think it is and others think it isn’t.

“Only one person’s opinion matters and that’s the referee’s – but do you know what? I couldn’t care less.

“Ronald Koeman can’t come out and start moaning because he dragged down David Platt 30-odd years ago and it’s taken that long for him to suffer something different on the other end, that’s what football can do.

“Suck it up! We had to, Graham Taylor had to, David Platt had to – suck it up!

“That’s football. Sometimes it works for you, sometimes it doesn’t. Last night it went for us and I couldn’t care less.”

Credit: GettyTime to finish the job England’s Cole Palmer is ready for the challenge of taking on Spain in this Sunday’s final.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Lion’s Den, he said: “Everyone’s buzzing.

“Last night on the bus tunes were on, changing room, everyone was just enjoying it.

“But obviously it’s a short turnaround and it’s a massive, massive game to change our lives, our family’s lives, and to make everyone proud. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Palmer continued: “I think if you’ve got this final then you have to hopefully finish the job.

“It’s all good getting to the final, and you’ve got to enjoy it because you don’t get many moments to enjoy.

“But, no, everyone just wants to win so bad.”

Credit: GettyLast-minute changesDarts’ World Matchplay event has made some late tweaks to accommodate fans who wish to watch England’s Euro 2024 final.

Traditionally, fans have been unable to wear club colours when darts events arrive in major cities, with fears over crowd trouble seen as the reasoning.

But fans will be able to wear England football shirts this weekend, which is a major rule change that is unprecedented in accordance with PDC rules.

The organisers have stated in ticket terms and conditions that fans will be unable to wear shirts but they will now be allowed to break the rules.

This news came just a day after the PDC confirmed they would also alter the start time of Sunday sessions so that fans can watch the final afterwards.

Can’t start Kane Gareth Southgate has been told to drop Harry Kane for the Euro 2024 final if he wants to be Spain.

Rene Meulensteen said on White and Jordan earlier today: “Why would Gareth not consider not starting Kane?

“If you want to unsettle Spain you need legs, you need intensity.

“So if you can start with another striker, you keep Harry on the bench because if the game settles down in the second half you bring him in later in the game.” 

“No [I don’t think Southgate will do it], but I’m just thinking from myself as a coach and what I would do. 

“I would want legs up front. I’d want players there and in the midfield that can really squeeze Spain.

“Because if one player doesn’t, and Harry doesn’t have the leg, they’ll play around you.”

Credit: Getty’He’s an average manager’ talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan has stuck to his guns with his claim that England boss Gareth Southgate is not a good manager.

Fellow host Jim White asked whether Southgate will still remain average in Jordan’s mind even if the Three Lions win Euro 2024.

To which, he replied: “Yeah I think so, he is an average manager with an exceptional group of players. 

“An average manager will [lift the Euros trophy on Sunday] in this instance. 

“If you have a poor group of players and a good manager you won’t win anything.

“But ultimately, if you’ve got an average manager and a good group of players you will win something.

“He’s got a really good group of players and I think if they win on Sunday, he will get the plaudits he deserves, he’ll get his knighthood. 

“But I think he’s an average manager.”

Come on, Keir! Newly-elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hinted at a Bank Holiday in England should the Three Lions win Euro 2024.

Speaking in Washington at the NATO summit, Starmer did not rule out a potential day of celebration.

When asked about an extra bank holiday, he said: “We should certainly mark the occasion.

“I went to the last Euros finals. I don’t want to go through that again so I don’t want to jinx anything.

“We must mark it in some way but the most important thing is getting it over the line on Sunday.”

Credit: GettyWasting no timeManchester United are set to swoop in to sign Joshua Zirkzee who was part of the Netherlands team England knocked out of Euro 2024 last night.

Zirkzee only made substitute appearances for the Dutch in Germany despite an incredible season for Bologna in Serie A.

And it’s those 12 goals and four assists that have led to Man United acting fast, activating the striker’s £34million release clause.

talkSPORT understands that the 23-year-old is now set to join Erik ten Hag’s side after agreeing on a five-year contract.

The deal is expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

Credit: GettyVAR dramaNetherlands boss Ronald Koeman has accused VAR of ‘breaking football’ following their controversial defeat to England.

The Three Lions were awarded a generous penalty by VAR after Harry Kane was caught on the follow-through by Denzel Dumfries.

Kane converted from the spot to level up the semi-final before Ollie Watkins’ late winner.

Koeman said: “In my opinion it should not have been a penalty. He kicked the ball and the boots touched.

“I think that we cannot play properly football and this is due to VAR. It really breaks football.”

Despite the defeat, a magnanimous Koeman backed England to beat Spain in the final.

“I think England showed great football in the first half after being 1-0 down,” he added.

“It is football. Maybe if you watch all of the matches of the Spanish team, maybe they are playing more offensive, great wingers and ball possession and you need to stop that.

“But England are in the final and have the possibility to win it. Spain are playing on a high level but England can stop them. Why not?”

Credit: GettyKane and ableHarry Kane insists he’ll be fit and ready for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final.

The England captain picked up a knock and was taken off in the 81st-minute last night, with his replacement, Ollie Watkins, bagging the winner.

Kane said: “I will be fine, it was just getting a bit sore near the end.”

He added: “Ollie came on and produced an unbelievable finish. We have talked about being ready to make an impact and I am proud of him. He has got us to a final.

“The whole tournament speaks for itself. We do what we do. We go far in tournaments and get the job done.

“The boss is not afraid to make changes and do what’s best for the team. People have come on and made important impacts. We are looking forward to Sunday.

“It feels pretty special, an unbelievable achievement. It is going to be a massive game on Sunday and we have to be ready for it.”

‘A privilege to lead this special group’‘Hurt’ Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has hailed the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 performance following their dramatic exit to England last night.

Van Dijk said he is looking forward to some time off to recharge ‘physically and emotionally’.

He posted on social media: “This hurts. After a long and intense tournament, our journey comes to an end.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to our fans who travelled with us, supported us, and have been there for us all the way.

“Time for a well needed break now to reflect and recharge after a year full ups and downs, physically and emotionally.

“It was a privilege to lead this special group.”

Get Watkins on early!Ex-England star Darren Anderton fully expects Harry Kane to start the Euro 2024 final but says the sooner Ollie Watkins comes on, the better.

Gareth Southgate will no doubt stick with Harry Kane for Sunday’s showdown with Spain and the Bayern Munich star will be eyeing the Golden Boot.

But Anderton wants to see semi-final hero Watkins introduced early to provide another threat.

He told talkSPORT: “I love Harry as a player. We’ve obviously seen him over the years, wonderful footballer.

“Harry is the all-round perfect centre forward, he’s amazing, but he hasn’t performed well this summer.

“When Watkins has come on, he makes those runs and it scares defences. It’s effective, I think he’s brilliant at it.

“For me, I think there’s get to be an opportunity for Watkins to start but I don’t think he will. Southgate has got trust in Harry, his captain, he’s going to play him.

“But I think that Watkins has got to be buzzing and so confident after last night. The sooner he gets on [against Spain], probably the better.”

Final referee setFrench referee Francois Letexier will take charge of the Euro 2024 final.

UEFA have announced the 35-year-old will officiate England v Spain, assisted by Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, also from France.

Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final, will be the fourth official while France’s Jerome Brisard will be the VAR for the game in Berlin.

Letexier was the referee for three group stage games at the finals – Spain v Georgia, Denmark v Serbia and Croatia v Albania – and was the fourth official at the tournament opener between Germany and Scotland.

He refereed 10 matches in the Champions League and Europa League last season and was the fourth official at Wembley when Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.

Southgate to stayAshley Young says England should stick with Gareth Southgate as their manager no matter what happens on Sunday.

Southgate has now guided the Three Lions to back-to-back Euro finals and will be doing everything he can to finally claim glory against Spain.

Southgate has had plenty of critics this summer but was brilliant against the Netherlands last night and will be confident heading to Berlin.

Everton ace Young told talkSPORT: “Whether Gareth Southgate is going to leave after this tournament, whether they’re going to sack him, for me, I would give it to him.

“Keep Gareth Southgate in the job, to be honest.

“He’s got us to two finals and a semi-final. He’s doing a fantastic job.

“It was a great performance and fully deserved. I think we deserved to beat Holland yesterday.

“Someone else could obviously take the team further but then again, someone could come in and the team could not go as far as what’s happened.

“There’s so many questions that could come after Sunday’s final.”

Credit: GettyWat an honour!Neal Maupay has revealed he named his son after England hero Ollie Watkins!

The two forwards played together at Brentford and Maupay was such a fan of his team-mate, he paid tribute to him while naming his new-born.

The Everton striker told talkSPORT: “I played with him, Ollie’s my friend.

“Honestly, top goal from him, a proper striker’s goal, you know. Touch and finish. So I’m very happy for him.

“I have a story for you. I named my son after Ollie Watkins.

“When I first met him about eight years ago at Brentford, I loved the name and I said if I have a son one day, I’ll call him Ollie.

“Actually I spoke with him last week to let him know.”

Credit: Getty‘Overall it is a penalty’Adrian Durham believes England were rightly awarded their controversial penalty against the Netherlands last night.

The Dutch felt aggrieved after Harry Kane won and converted a soft spot-kick in Dortmund.

It quickly cancelled out Xavi Simons’ superb opener and England, of course, went on to dump the Netherlands out.

Durham, who was at the Westfalenstadion for talkSPORT, said: “Listen, first look, absolutely live, I thought no chance that’s a penalty, it’s just the defender trying to make a challenge. Kane gets his shot away and that’s a natural coming together.

“And then when you look again, he doesn’t get anything on the ball, his studs are up and they’re very high as well.

“So I think it’s a VAR penalty that the referee doesn’t give in normal time.

“I understand why people think it might not be, but when you slow it down, VAR gives it.

“Also, Harry goes down and if he doesn’t go down, then I don’t think the penalty gets given.

“England got a little bit lucky maybe, but I think overall it is a penalty. The studs are up.”

Credit: GettyStick or twist?Jason Cundy admits he wouldn’t change the England team for Sunday’s final against Spain.

Luke Shaw replaced Kieran Trippier against the Netherlands at half-time last night and performed well while England’s subs have had a great impact throughout the tournament.

talkSPORT’s Cundy says it’s important to keep that impetus from the bench but is interested to see if Gareth Southgate will start Shaw in Berlin.

He said on The Sports Bar: “What we’ve learnt in this tournament is that the bench can help change the game.

“We saw Ivan Toney come off the bench, we’ve seen Watkins. Palmer’s had a big impact off the bench, he’s been one of the star performers.

“I wouldn’t change too much. The left-back situation about Shaw is really interesting.

“It’s not Trippier’s natural position, and I do feel that Trippier’s got too much criticism. Don’t forget he’s started every game and we’re into the final. Now there’s something in that.”

Sensational SouthgateJason Cundy has hailed ‘sensational’ Gareth Southgate for making the right subs at the right time in England’s stunning win last night.

Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer changed the game for the Three Lions after being brought on late by Southgate.

Palmer slotted the ball into Watkins who smashed home the winner late on against the Netherlands.

Cundy said on The Sports Bar: “To change the course of a game in 90 minutes, to turn it in your favour off the bench, let me tell you, mate, that was sensational from Southgate.

“That was his best performance.

“He made the right subs at the right time. Ollie Watkins coming on at that time, there were tired legs and Southgate said ‘if you dominate the ball towards the end of the game, the pitch will open up because there’s tired legs out there’.

“And you saw that, two players on the pitch, Palmer into Watkins, sharp legs, sharp pass, sharp finish, goal. And he needs a huge amount of kudos for that Southgate, huge.”

PredictionOllie Watkins revealed he told Cole Palmer they would connect for England’s winner after the substitutes combined at the death to send Gareth Southgate’s side to the Euro 2024 final.

After Harry Kane’s spot-kick cancelled out a superb Xavi Simons opener, Wednesday’s semi-final against the Netherlands looked set to go to extra time just like the Slovakia and Switzerland matches earlier in the knockout stages.

But Southgate’s bold decision to replace captain Kane and Phil Foden with Watkins and Palmer in the 81st minute proved a masterstroke.

The Chelsea star fed his fellow substitute to turn and hit a wonderful 90th-minute winner, sealing a last-gasp 2-1 comeback victory and a place in a second successive European Championship final.

“I’m lost for words, really,” super sub Watkins said. “When you score there are emotions that come through your body but this is a different feeling.

“It was slow motion when I was running over to the boys and celebrating.

“I didn’t want to get off the pitch at the end because I wanted to soak it all in because it doesn’t happen very often really.

“The goal is my bread and butter, running in behind and causing defence trouble.

“I said to Cole we were both going to get on the pitch and he was going to set me up at half-time. It happened. I manifested it.

“As soon as he turned I knew to make the move. You don’t get that opportunity very often. I had to be greedy.

“I’ve seen it go in the bottom corner. I don’t think I’ve hit the ball that sweet before in such a special moment.”

Watkins won it late for EnglandHomageA few England fans will be naming their son after Ollie Watkins as his late goal led the Three Lions to the Euro 2024 final.

However, Neal Maupay did it before it was cool.

The Everton striker joined the talkSPORT Breakfast gang on Thursday morning and revealed his homage to his former teammate.

“I named my son after Ollie Watkins,” Maupay told talkSPORT.

“When I first met him about eight years ago at Brentford yeah I loved the name.

“I said if I have a son one day I’ll call him Ollie and I called him Ollie.

” Actually I spoke with him last week to let him know.”

Watkins sent England to the Euro 2024 finalCredit: GettyThe OneGareth Southgate cut an emotional figure in his press conference last night.

The England boss admitted he had been hurt by the personal crticism he has received, and was delighted to be able to give the fans a night to remember.

He said: “We all want to be loved, right? When you are doing something for your country and you are a proud Englishman, when you don’t feel that back and all you read is criticism, it is hard.”

“To be able to celebrate a second final is very, very special. Especially the fans that travel.

“Our travelling support is amazing, the money they spend, the commitment to do that, to be able to give them a night like this – and we have given them a few over the last six years from Russia onwards – it means a lot.

“If I hadn’t been on the grass, I’d have been watching, celebrating like they were. We’re kindred spirits in many ways. Of course, I’m the one that has to pick a team.

“To be able to give them a night like tonight is very, very special.”

Credit: GettyHis full focus is now on Sunday’s European Championship final against Spain.

“I took the job to try and improve English football and we’re now in a second final,” Southgate said. “The last one was the first in 50 years. We’re now in the first that isn’t played on our shores.

“I think we’ve got a team that will be together for quite a while, so it’s not as though this is a team that’s at the end of a cycle.

“We’re giving people some amazing nights. I think we’ve given our supporters some of the best nights over the last 50 years, so I’m hugely proud of that.

“I’m delighted if everybody at home is feeling the way we are and the way the supporters in the stadium are feeling.

“But from our point of view, we’re not finished. We’ve got the greatest possible test to prepare for and we came here to try and win the tournament, and that’s still our aim.”

“We all want to be loved, right?”.

This last answer of Gareth Southgate’s @England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 press conference 🇳🇱 shows how the criticism of him earlier in the tournament hurt him personally.

So happy he/they have managed to turn it around. He’s a great leader. pic.twitter.com/ty08xE1Fxi

— Jacqui Oatley (@JacquiOatley) July 11, 2024

Bellingham reacts to semi-final winJude Bellingham has been speaking to talkSPORT after England’s last-gasp winner in Dortmund.

“You’ve got to live these moments and enjoy these moments,” he said. “There’s a lot of sacrifice that comes into these games.

“We’re a team that’s growing. I think you can see the progression is the most important thing.

“The squad is so important. Not just the XI, not just the two or three who score goals.

“It’s the 26/27 with Tom Heaton that come every day, push each other to the limits, show the right professionalism, enjoy each other’s company and are willing to be a part of the team.

“Because those are the moments… those players who aren’t playing still have the right mentality have got their reward today.”