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England, Spain Set For Euro 2025 Final Rematch

England were heartbroken two years ago – but now they will get their shot at redemption.

Spain’s extra-time victory over Germany means they will face the Lionesses in Sunday’s Euro 2025 final. It’s a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final – which Spain won.

They were the two best sides in the world 24 months ago and they remain the best two sides in Europe now.

“It’s going to be incredible,” said former England forward Ellen White, part of the side who beat Germany in the Euro 2022 final.

“It’s a one-off game. On England’s day they can beat anyone, on Spain’s day they can beat anyone, so that match-up is so amazing to see.

“I’m so excited.”

While this eye-catching Spanish team look to complete a treble of major trophies, having also won the Nations League in 2024, England are bidding to defend their European crown.

“I’m just so buzzing for the girls,” added ex-Lionesses captain Steph Houghton. “There’s no reason, with the squad that we have, that we can’t go and beat Spain.”

So which way will it go? What does history tell us? And what’s changed since that World Cup final?

Painful memories for England…
Having won their first women’s major tournament 13 months earlier with victory over Germany at Euro 2022, England had high hopes of backing that up against Spain in Sydney.

It wasn’t to be.

The Lionesses, looking to become the first senior England side since the men’s team in 1966 to win a World Cup, were outplayed by a Spanish side full of flair and creativity.

Spain captain Olga Carmona slotted the winner past goalkeeper Mary Earps in the first half, capitalising after England’s Lucy Bronze lost possession in midfield.

Would a repeat be likely on Sunday? Not necessarily.

England beat the world champions at Wembley in February – the last team to do so – although Spain won their most recent meeting 2-1 on 3 June.

The Lionesses’ overall record in the fixture is also decent, losing just five of 19 competitive fixtures.

“I don’t think England will see themselves as underdogs – they’re European champions,” former England defender Fara Williams said on BBC One.

“Yes, Spain beat them in the World Cup final but this is their trophy. They’ve got to hand it over and they’re not going to want to do that. They’re not going to lie down and make it easy for Spain.

“I think they know they can beat Spain.”

Houghton agrees.

“I don’t think the [World Cup final] will be in the back of England’s minds,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live. “This is a fresh slate and there are a lot of new players.”

What’s changed since 2023?
Seven of the 11 who started against Spain in the World Cup final were in England’s line-up for Tuesday’s win over Italy.

But there have been big changes within the Lionesses squad since then too – some as recently as June.

In the 10 days leading up to Sarina Wiegman’s squad announcement last month, she had two senior international retirements and the withdrawal of her World Cup captain to contend with.

First goalkeeper Earps announced her shock international retirement, then midfielder Fran Kirby followed suit a week later and, on the eve of the squad’s confirmation, Millie Bright made herself unavailable for selection.

Earps herself described it as “a new era and a new England team”, with players like super-sub Michelle Agyemang only capped for the first time this year.

But something this “new” England side will have to deal with is pressure, according to Williams.

“I think the Lionesses carry a lot of pressure,” she said. “In terms of growing the game in England, we’re still reliant on the Lionesses doing well – they never had that pressure in 2022, but they had it in the World Cup final and they have it now.”

Media caption,
Scenes: Spain celebrate reaching Euros final

Spain, meanwhile, have a familiar feel to their squad – albeit they are now led by a different manager in Montse Tome.

Tome was Jorge Vilda’s assistant in 2023, meaning the coaching setup and philosophy has stayed much the same.

Ballon d’Or Feminine holder and semi-final matchwinner Aitana Bonmati remains – despite a pre-tournament bout of viral meningitis – while Alexia Putellas, also a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, continues to shine having started the World Cup final on the bench.

Esther Gonzalez, an unused substitute in 2023, has been one of the stars of Euro 2025 and is on course to win the Golden Boot.

But Jenni Hermoso, who missed a penalty in that final, is a notable absentee.

After receiving her World Cup winner’s medal, Hermoso was kissed by Spain’s former football federation boss Luis Rubiales without her consent.

Rubiales said the kiss was consensual, but in February was found guilty of sexual assault by Spain’s top criminal court, and ordered to pay a fine of 10,800 euros (£8,942).

Did England learn anything from the semi-finals?
England boss Wiegman must come up with a gameplan to stifle a Spain side used to bossing the ball and controlling the game.

They had nearly 67% possession in their semi-final win over Germany – but it wasn’t always straightforward.

“I feel like we saw for the first time a Spanish team play with frustration at times,” said Williams. “That’s not like them.

“They are patient in what they do and they trust in what they do. They were forced to go direct at times.

“We did see a different side to them. This is the only game in the competition they have faced a real challenge, an intense game. In terms of that level that is needed in a final, Germany gave them that today, so they will be thankful for this game.”

Ex-Germany defender Josie Henning says the key battle will be in midfield.

“With the midfield of Spain, you have to decide if you want to play up against them or around them,” she said on BBC One. “I think Germany showed a little bit that if you press them collectively, it works.”

Bbc.com

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Arne Slot Confirms Mohamed Salah Is ‘Always In My Mind’ Amid Liverpool Absence

Mohamed Salah sitting on Liverpool bench during Premier League match

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has addressed the speculation surrounding Mohamed Salah, admitting that the Egypt forward is “always in my mind” despite being left out of the last two starting line-ups.

Salah, 33, has had a slow start to the Premier League season, scoring just four goals, and has played only 45 minutes across the last two games. The forward’s omission from the starting XI has sparked talk of a potential Saudi Pro League move, though Salah recently signed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool in April.

Slot Explains Salah Situation

“I think for every player in my mind can start and Mo is an exceptional player for us,” Slot said. “He is always in my mind to either start or to come off the bench.”

Salah played a starring role last season, scoring 29 goals as Liverpool lifted the Premier League in Slot’s first campaign. However, he was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at West Ham and again came off the bench in the 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.

Slot acknowledged the chatter around Salah’s absence, saying:

“The chatter, yes because he deserves that, he has been so influential for me and six or seven years. It’s completely normal people talk about it when he isn’t playing.”

Van Dijk Weighs In

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also commented, highlighting that no player at the club has “unlimited credit”:

“He is still a fantastic player and we still have to remember there is a reason why he has been so successful at the club and we have to respect that. I need him around as one of the leaders. He’s disappointed but that’s absolutely normal. It’s always been the case that no one is undroppable.”

This statement underscores the high standards at Liverpool, even for one of their most prolific stars.

Liverpool’s Current Form

The Reds are currently ninth in the Premier League, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, having won just two of their nine league games. Salah’s presence will be crucial as Liverpool look to regain momentum, with their next game set against Leeds United.

While fans debate Salah’s place in the squad, both Slot and Van Dijk emphasize that he remains central to Liverpool’s ambitions, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

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Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw

Roy Keane reacting angrily during a football analysis session

Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.

Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.

And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.

“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots

After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.

According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.

Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.

He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.

In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.

Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”

Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.

While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:

United lost control after scoring
They failed to win second balls
They should have killed the match earlier
The inconsistency is becoming a real problem

For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.

West Ham Deserved Their Point

To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.

United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.

Where Do United Go From Here?

Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.

Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.

What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.

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Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania

David Beckham Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold posing with the gunmetal adidas Predator Mania boots

Beckham Links Up With The New Generation

Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.

The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.

How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon

In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.

Thanks to players like:

David Beckham
Zinedine Zidane
Steven Gerrard

…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.

Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.

And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.

A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns

The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.

Adidas describes it as:

“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold

Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”

Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.

Engineered For Today’s Game

While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.

The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.

Key enhancements include:

Upgraded comfort
Subtle structural refinement
Increased responsiveness
Modern fit for today’s style of play

In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.

Back On The Bernabéu Grass

The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.

From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.

Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.