Euro 2024 Final Combined XI: Yamal makes side dominated by Spain
After Spain and England set up a date in Berlin for the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, with respective semi-final victories in midweek, we’ve put together a Combined XI ahead of the clash.
Spain are the dominant side in our XI, with seven representatives to England’s four. Here, we run through the team in full.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon makes the team over England’s Jordan Pickford, having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.16 for his efforts throughout the tournament so far. The Athletic Club man helped La Roja to victories and clean sheets over Croatia and Italy in the group stage, with a penalty save against the former.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka takes up the right-back spot in our XI, having deputised as a right wing-back for England’s quarter-final and semi-final victories over Switzerland and the Netherlands. The 22-year-old has also played as a left-back for Gareth Southgate this summer, and was the hero as England progressed past Switzerland in last Saturday’s quarter-final.
Manchester City defender John Stones is the only outfield player to have started three or more matches who is yet to have been dribbled past at Euro 2024. The 30-year-old has played every minute at the back alongside Marc Guehi, or, against Switzerland, Ezri Konsa, and played a huge part in the Three Lions' strong defensive record thus far.
Aymeric Laporte (Spain) - 6.85
Joining Stones at the heart of the defence is former Manchester City teammate Aymeric Laporte, who has been a mainstay for Luis de la Fuente after missing the tournament opener with fitness concerns. Laporte, who made the move to Saudi Arabia last summer, still looks every bit one of Europe’s best centre-backs, and may well have piqued the interest of clubs across the continent with his performances in Germany.
Completing our back four is Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella, whose impressive displays for his country have kept the in-form Alex Grimaldo out of the starting XI. Cucurella has started all but one of La Roja’s matches so far, missing the dead rubber with Albania in the group stage, and struck up a strong relationship with Nico Williams along the left flank.
Jude Bellingham (England) - 7.26
England’s round of 16 saviour Jude Bellingham makes our XI, boasting the best WhoScored rating of any Three Lions player at the tournament up until now. The 21-year-old netted the winner in England’s opener against Serbia, before drawing them level with a remarkable overhead kick against Slovakia in the first knockout round.
PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz is the third highest rated player at Euro 2024 following his exploits in a Spain shirt thus far. The 28-year-old has registered two goals and two assists, with crucial contributions in the victories over Croatia and Georgia.
Spain’s unlikely hero throughout the knockout stages has been RB Leipzig attacker Dani Olmo, who scored in the last 16, quarter-final and semi-final victories. The 26-year-old made only his second start of the tournament on Tuesday night, as La Roja advanced past France; his performances so far earn him a WhoScored rating of 7.95, the highest of any player at Euro 2024.
Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who turns 17 the day before the final, has been nothing short of exceptional for his nation thus far, providing three assists and becoming the youngest player to ever score at a men’s European Championship. The Barcelona star also leads the way for big chances created (6) and key passes (16).
Captain Harry Kane is our final England representative, having scored three goals at Euro 2024 so far, including a crucial equaliser in the semi-final victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday night. Kane now holds the record for the most goals scored in the knockout stages at European Championships, and could secure the Golden Boot on Sunday.
Rounding off our Combined XI is Spain winger Nico Williams, who has had a breakthrough tournament, with his performances sparking plenty of talk about a certain release clause in his Athletic Club contract. The 21-year-old both scored and assisted in the last 16 victory over Georgia, and has - like wing partner Yamal - been a breath of fresh air with his directness and fearlessness on the left-hand side of La Roja’s attacking trio.
