Spain and England's paths to the Euro 2024 final

BERLIN : Spain and England have experienced very different journeys to Sunday's Euro 2024 final. We look at their path to Berlin below.

ENGLAND

England 1 Serbia 0

An early header by Jude Bellingham rewarded England for a good first half in their first game but they went off the boil and ended up hanging on for the win as manager Gareth Southgate's gamble of starting with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield backfired.

The tally of 11 shots – six by Serbia, five from England - was the lowest in a European Championship match since 1980, but within weeks England fans would have seen five shots as wild entertainment.

England 1 Denmark 1

England led through Harry Kane but struggled for control all game and Denmark deservedly equalised with a 30-yard pile-driver by Morten Hjulmand after a wild pass from Kane, who spent more time around his own box than the opposition's. Results elsewhere later meant that England were guaranteed progress on four points.

England 0 Slovenia 0

A dull game where England managed three shots on goal ended with them nevertheless top of their group on five points, though it was the Slovenian players and fans celebrating at the end as they progressed to the knockout phase for the first time.

Round of 16: England 2 Slovakia 1 after extra time.

Ivan Schranz put outsiders Slovakia ahead in the first half and England seemed unable, almost unwilling, to do anything about it in another toothless display. They were rescued by Jude Bellingham's brilliant bicycle kick in the 96th minute and won it with a Kane goal in extra-time - their only shots on target.

Southgate was widely criticised for his inactivity, with the focus on his decision to throw on striker Ivan Toney with one minute of stoppage time remaining.

Quarter-final