England v Spain LIVE: Euro 2024 score updates as historic final gets underway in electric Berlin atmosphere

England’s Kobbie Mainoo gets the ball rolling in Berlin and sends it back to Jordan Pickford. The England goalkeeper boots it over to the right wing where Bukayo Saka tries to keep it in play and doesn’t succeed.

The national anthems are played, Jordan Pickford and Harry Kane both belting out the lyrics to ‘God Save the King’. The England team look focused.

Can they start quickly as they did three years ago against Italy?

The stage is set and the eyes of Europe, maybe the world, are on this stadium in Berlin. On these two teams, on the teenage stars that have cemeted their places in both line-ups, on the managers who both have something to prove.

This is a moment in history, a game that will be remembered and replayed for years to come. Luck, fate and destiny will all have their parts to play but in the end it all comes down to those 22 men on the pitch.

Individually brilliant, together exceptional but only one of these teams can claim the trophy. Who will it be? England or Spain?

Alright then, less than 10 minutes to go until kick off. How are we all feeling?

I can’t lie, I’m getting a touch nervous and I’m just watching on. Imagine how the players and the coaching staff from both teams feel right now.

The warm-ups are done. The preamble is over, the plans are in place, and there’s nothing left except 90 minutes in the cauldron of the Olympiastadion.

Who will rise to the challenge, who will write their names into the history, who will become the Euro 2024 champions?

We’re about to find out.

England striker Harry Kane has scored more knockout stage goals at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) than any other European player (nine), including a record six at the European Championship.

Can he add to that tally tonight?

The smiles around the England camp emphasise that, in an atmosphere that is completely different to what it was like even two weeks ago. At that point, there was a risk of a bored disgruntlement taking hold, that could have made this campaign like 2010 or even 2000. It might instead be like 1966, with a chance for a grand redemption of Euro 2020.

While most of the players are just looking ahead to Sunday, some can’t help discussing that defeat to Italy at Wembley. Declan Rice has admitted it will “haunt” him “forever”. That’s only if this is another defeat, and Sunday sees England become the first ever team to lose consecutive European Championship finals, while Spain become the first to win this trophy four times.

England have reached the European Championship final in consecutive editions. They’ve now reached more major tournament finals in four attempts under Gareth Southgate (two), than they did in their first 23 appearances at the World Cup/Euro combined (one) before his tenure.

This will also be England men’s first major tournament final played outside of England, with the 1966 World Cup and Euro 2020 finals being played at Wembley Stadium.

The Three Lions have never lost a match in Berlin in six attempts (W4 D2), only playing more in Helsinki (8), Amsterdam (7) and Sunderland (7) without ever suffering defeat.

Aged 17 years and one day, Spain’s Lamine Yamal 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 (17y 249d).

He has three assists so far at Euor 2024, with no Spaniard ever providing four at a single edition of the Euros.

Spain have won their last three major tournament finals, winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, and the World Cup in 2010.

No European side has ever been successful in four consecutive World Cup/Euros final matches before. This is also Spain’s fifth European Championship final with them winning the trophy three times (1964, 2008, 2012) and losing once (1984).

They could become the first team to win the competition on four separate occasions.

Jay Diment, 24, watching the game with girlfriend Katie Hastie at Brixton’s Ritzy cinema predicts a “close fought encounter” with Spain prevailing 2-1.

He said: “It’s not all bad as my girlfriend has Spain in the family sweepstake and can win £60.

“I hope England to continue their immense growth, determination and grit from the last Euro’s final.

“Saka is the embodiment of this in. He used one of the lowest moments of his career to turn into not only a wonderful footballer but a role model for future English footballers.”

He adds: “I believe Gareth deserves until 2026 regardless of the result he has built an England team that is cohesive and united. Plus who else is there? Dyche, Howe, Hodgson?!

“As many ex-England players have pointed out, this England team are ready to play for another.

“Long gone are the days of the United, Liverpool and Arsenal cliques where England players would dread the call up.”