View from SunSport’s Dan King in Berlin
One thing you would say is that Gareth Southgate seems to have better options off the bench than Luis de la Fuente.
That’s partly because he is two players down, due to the injuries to Pedri and Ayoze Perez.
A singer called David Bisbal is delivering the celebrity message to the Spanish team. No, me neither. Perhaps that is just another example of English arrogance.
Unfortunately, we’re now back to the dance music. More than happy to Bluetooth from my phone, DJ. Altogether now: ‘We’re on our way, we are Ron’s 22, hear the roar of the red, white and blue…”
Chance to make the pain stop
It was 28 years ago that Gareth Southgate missed one of the pivotal penalties that saw Germany knock them out at the semi-final stage.
Since then, the trauma has never been far away from the mind of the man himself.
Tonight he can change it all by winning England’s first trophy since the World Cup in 1966.
View from SunSport’s Dan King in Berlin
Spain come out to a pleasingly loud chorus of boos. Their fans seem to know what this song is, but I am too old and wise.
Pictures of Lamine Yamal on the big screen. As SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere said, the only real comparison in football history is Pele.
Yamal was 17 yesterday. Team-mate Jesus Navas, 38, could quite easily and decently be his dad. Yamal has shown absolutely no fear so far, and you don’t expect him to start now.
View from SunSport’s Tom Barclay in Berlin
That pesky Giorgio Chiellini has been causing mischief again.
The Italian legend, who helped break England’s hearts in the last final, is doing punditry for Italian TV here.
Embarrassingly, a number of journalists were queuing up for selfies with him in the press room.
But Chiellini has had a cheeky little dig towards the England fans before kick-off, commenting: “It takes me back, seeing the English so enthusiastic and happy, remembering how quickly their mood can change.”
Mamma mia, Giorgio!