From stopping Spain's Rolls Royce to being brave on the ball - DANNY MURPHY's six-point plan for England to win the Euro 2024 final

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England and Spain will lock horns for the conclusion of Euro 2024 as all eyes of the footballing world turn to Berlin on Sunday evening.

The Three Lions took some time to get going in Germany but have managed to remain unbeaten on the way to the silverware showdown. 

Meanwhile, Spain have been Euro 2024’s outstanding team, winning six out of six, and stand in the way of England as the men’s team bid for a first major trophy since 1966.

Gareth Southgate delivered his final press conference on Saturday ahead of what could be his final match in charge of the nation as he waits to make a decision on his future. 

Here’s how DANNY MURPHY, who was in Dortmund to watch Ollie Watkins score a late winner to beat the Netherlands, believes our boys can end that long wait for glory... 

England and Spain will lock horns on Sunday as all eyes of the footballing world turn to Berlin

Spain have been Euro 2024’s outstanding team, winning six out of six in impressive style

Wing-backs must be brave

Having impressed in the last two games using wing-backs, I’d be surprised if Gareth Southgate switches formation. Assuming that’s the case, it is important the wing-backs are brave enough to go high up the pitch to cause the full-backs problems. 

It would also pose a dilemma to Spain wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. They’ll have to decide whether to track Bukayo Saka on the right and Luke Shaw or Kieran Trippier on the left. 

If our wing-backs aren’t high, Spain’s speedsters can focus solely on going forward. Germany provided a template when they looked for an equaliser in their quarter-final. 

They pushed their full-backs high and Spain ended up substituting Yamal and Williams. Saka likes to push up and Trippier did it well in the first half against the Netherlands, which contributed to England’s best 45 minutes of the tournament.

England's wing-backs such as Bukayo Saka and Luke Shaw must be brave and get up the pitch

If our wing-backs aren’t high, Spain’s speedsters can focus solely on going forward

Stop Rolls-Royce Rodri

Rodri is probably the best holding midfielder I’ve ever seen — and there have been some great ones. His work without the ball is phenomenal but the way he can dictate games with the ball doesn’t get enough credit. 

He’s a wonderful footballer and between Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, or Harry Kane when he comes deep, we’ve got to put pressure on Rodri and stop him running the show. 

Spain have other good players, particularly Fabian Ruiz, but it’s still preferable for them to have the ball rather than Rodri. So if Rodri’s about to receive, make a conscious effort to negate him. 

The Spanish like to have Dani Olmo and Ruiz higher, almost as two 10s, and give Rodri the option of which one to find. England have to take away those options.

Rodri is probably the best holding midfielder I’ve ever seen — and there have been some great ones

England have to put pressure on Rodri and stop him running the show like he did with France

Declan's big responsibility

Spain’s wingers are top-class. If they are able to cut inside for a shot — as Yamal did spectacularly against France — one of our midfield players, Declan Rice or Kobbie Mainoo, has to be close enough to cover.

We need to fill the space that Williams and Yamal move into quickly so they run into traffic. It’s about our boys being disciplined and having a good starting position.

Rice is a brilliant exponent and on the other side, Mainoo gave a terrific defensive display against the Dutch — and he used the ball well.

England will want to avoid being caught in transition, where Spain are so dangerous. I am sure Southgate will be drilling the importance of that into our midfielders.

Declan Rice must be constantly alert to sniff out the danger posed by Spain's energetic attack

17-year-old Lamine Yamal was a constant threat down Spain's right-wing in the semi-final win over France

Be confident on the ball

The improvement in England’s performance against the Dutch was because we were confident enough to receive the ball in tight areas and pass it on. It gave us control of the game.

It started with John Stones stepping out from the back and Rice and Mainoo in midfield and spread throughout the team. Foden did an enormous amount of running to hunt the ball down and used it wisely.

Now England have shown we can really play, we have to keep that bravery, get on the ball and get on the half-turn. The temperature will be high so the side who have the ball are going to have an advantage.

Phil Foden must drive forward with the ball in the Euro 2024 final like he did in the semi-final

Don't switch off at set-plays

Our biggest concern against the Netherlands was defending corners and free-kicks. We won very few first balls and it caused us all sorts of problems.

The Dutch are a big side but Spain aren’t slouches at set-pieces either. Alvaro Morata, Rodri and Aymeric Laporte are threats. Ruiz is 6ft 2in and Dani Carvajal scored in the Champions League final with a header.

The likes of Aymeric Laporte are a big threat at set-pieces that England must be wary of

John Stones has a huge job in marshalling England's defence at set-piece breakdowns

We are tall and experienced enough to cope but we need a more aggressive mindset than we showed against the Netherlands, who hit the woodwork and forced Jordan Pickford into a great save. Denzel Dumfries twice got first contact ahead of Bellingham. We can’t afford a repeat against Spain.

It is something Southgate will remind his players about — it’s about staying fully focused.

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Forward runs without the ball

Spain will play a high line and try to squeeze play up the pitch. We’ve got to try things that take them out of their comfort zone, even though it’ll be hard work, particularly on a warm evening.

Spain’s defence is not blessed with great pace so there will be space in behind them that Jude Bellingham must exploit

Spain’s defence is not blessed with great pace so there will be space in behind them to make life uncomfortable but it requires a lot of selfless forward runs from Saka and Bellingham, knowing you won’t always receive the ball but you’ll be stretching the pitch, which Spain won’t want.

We are a talented side but we shouldn’t forget the long ball has its merits. Saka has created goals by making those runs. 

When we stopped getting in behind the Netherlands, Southgate sent for Ollie Watkins. I’m sure the semi-final hero will have a part to play in the final as well.

I’ve mentioned Saka and Bellingham because they have the capability of doing it more than Kane and Foden, who offer something different.