England v Spain: Familiar faces fighting for European glory

England take on Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin, the first meeting between the sides at the Euros since a quarter-final at Wembley in 1996.

For almost half the players on the pitch, there will be a familiar face on the opposing side – somebody they play with in the Premier League every week, or an old friend from Spain’s top league, La Liga.

Here’s how the two teams are connected, and what these players say about their friends-turned-rivals.

Arguably England’s highest profile current export, Jude Bellingham has just completed a stellar debut season at Real Madrid, finishing not only as a Champions League winner but also La Liga’s player of the season.

Bellingham could line up against his teammate Dani Carvajal, and Nacho, who has just left Real Madrid for Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah.

Bellingham has played in every game for England en route to the final, but Carvajal has played in four for Spain and Nacho only three.

Carvajal was impressed when Bellingham arrived in Madrid, saying he “blew him away” when he saw him training.

But when asked who he would pick for the Ballon d’Or recently (the award for the world’s best player in any given year), the Spanish defender chose himself over Bellingham.

Europe’s other dominant club in recent seasons – Premier League champions Manchester City – are well represented in Sunday’s showpiece.

Midfielder Rodri – who has featured in five of the six games in the competition so far – will look across the tunnel before kick off and see club mates Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden.

Three other players in Spain’s squad – Jesus Navas, Ferran Torres and defender Aymeric Laporte – also formerly plied their trade in the blue half of Manchester.

Rodri has said he “loves” Foden, adding that the midfielder “needs to be kept under control” due to his ability to get into tight spaces.

There’s been a Spanish feel to Arsenal’s play over the last few years, led by manager Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners will be represented by Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice for England – the two midfielders have been ever-present for the Three Lions in Germany.

Arsenal’s two goalkeeper’s have had less playing time.

Spain’s David Raya has played in just one game in Germany so far, the 1-0 win over Albania after Spain had already advanced from the group stage. Aaron Ramsdale has not been so lucky, playing not a single minute so far in the competition.

Raya knows other England players well: he played with England stars Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney while they were all at Brentford, before he move to Arsenal and Watkins joined Aston Villa.

Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher will be familiar with the immediately recognisable figure of Marc Cucurella.

The Spanish defender has played in five of their six games at Euro 2024, but his English counterparts have had to be more patient.

Not that Palmer will be complaining about his playing time – it was his pass after coming on as a sub against the Netherlands in the semi-final which set up Ollie Watkins’ last-gasp winner.

Also in the England squad – albeit yet to play in the Euros – is Lewis Dunk, who played with Cucurella when the Spaniard was at Brighton & Hove Albion.

England defender Kieran Trippier spent three years in Spain playing for Atletico Madrid before joining Newcastle United in 2022.

During his time in the Spanish capital, he was a teammate of Spain captain Alvaro Morata, who this week limped off the field following their semi-final win against France, after a photographer slipped into him during the post-match celebrations.

But, of course, the pleasantries will be put aside for 90 minutes (at least) on Sunday.