‘Kane never wins anything’
European media have been poking fun of England throughout Euro 2024 and as the final between England and Spain creeps closer, the Spanish papers have enjoyed a cheeky dig at Gareth Southgate’s side.
La Roja will start as favourites having enjoyed a 100%-win record in the tournament so far, breezing past the likes of Croatia, Germany and France en-route to Berlin.
Meanwhile, England have struggled past Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands in the knock-out stages and had to come from behind on several occasions to get results.
The team’s very different routes to the final have led Spanish media to believe the trophy is already theirs and one outlet has taken a swipe at captain Harry Kane.
“Kane never wins anything” one headline read, referring to Kane’s career-long trophy drought, something which he was asked about in his pre-match press conference.
Meanwhile Marca’s headline read: “And for the fourth” referencing Spain’s previous three European Championship wins in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
Whilst Barcelona-based Sport said there was ‘no chemistry’ in attack.
The Spanish manager, De La Fuente, was not quite as confident when speaking at his team’s press conference ahead of the clash.
He said: “There are no favourites. It’s an even match-up, just as our previous knockout games were. If we are not above the level we displayed in those games, we won’t have a chance of winning – and the same if we make mistakes.
“It’s fantastic to be here and we are excited to be in the final. It’s one of the biggest sporting achievements there is. We are relaxed and looking forward to playing.”
He gave Southgate’s side more respect than perhaps even his own fans and press would give by saying the ‘best two teams’ were in the final.
“Sunday will be a complicated game against a great team, between the best two teams, that’s why we are in the final.
“These matches, which are so even, are often decided by the finer details. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will have the best chance of winning.”
