By Oli Gamp

So, will it be revenge or repeat? Sunday’s Euro 2025 final between England and Spain is a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final in what will be the battle of the immovable object versus the unstoppable force.

Immovable for England because you simply can’t get rid of them in this tournament, no matter how poor they’ve been at times. Unstoppable for Spain because they’ve cruised through this tournament by winning all five games and conceding just three in the process.

It’s intriguing how many parallels there are between this European Championship and the men’s edition from last year. Both teams won their quarter-final tie on penalties. Both teams won the semi-final 2-1 in the last minute. Both teams reached the final despite not producing vintage performances. Luis de la Fuente’s Spain also reached the final after winning all of their preceding games in the tournament.

Spain dominated that final against England but were still made to work for their triumph after winning 2-1 in the dying minutes. It would be spooky if we get the same score in Sunday’s final in Basel, but it’s up to the Lionesses to write their own chapter in history as they look to right the wrongs of that agonising day in Sydney two years ago.

England have reached their third straight final. That evening in Australia, when Olga Carmona’s strike sealed a 1-0 win for the Spaniards, remains the only blemish on Sarina Wiegman’s record. She’s already guided the team to one trophy and she’ll be desperate to retain it and further etch her name into history.

Her team have at times been awe-inspiring and other times infuriating. Those 4-0 and 6-1 thrashings of Netherlands and Wales were a sign of what England are capable of when they hit top gear.

On the other hand, the dismal 2-1 loss to France in group play and the chaotic 2-2 draw against Sweden, culminating in one of the strangest penalty shootouts of all time, has placed a chink in their armour. And the nervy extra time win over Italy hasn’t given any more confidence that they can overcome a team as strong as Spain.

Spain have shown they are not here to mess around in this tournament. With the might of superstars like Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí and Esther González, any mistake England make in that final will be punished. Montse Tomé’s team are a technical side who get the ball down and dominate games. They can pick you apart and pass you to death.

They will have watched England’s shoddy defending in this tournament with great optimism. The Lionesses can’t afford to have a bad game and it’s no surprise that Spain are the favourites with Betfair.

Here’s what Spain have to watch out for: Even when England have a bad day at the office, you can rarely count them out. We saw Italy substitutes and coaches half-celebrating their place in the final on Tuesday night before teenager Michelle Agyemang popped up with a dramatic equaliser. Chloe Kelly then sealed their spot in the final via a penalty rebound in extra time. There is now a serious case for both players to start Sunday’s final and Wiegman should give that serious thought.

England vs Spain odds

Odds (for regular time) via Betfair

  • England win: 11/5
  • Draw: 14/5
  • Spain win: 8/11

Time: Sunday, 5 p.m. BST (Noon ET)

Venue: St. Jakob-Park, Basel

Prediction

Spain 2, England 1

I can see this strange prophecy between these teams being fulfilled. It’s hard to go against Spain given that every team they’ve come up against has been brushed aside. Even Germany in the semi-finals, their toughest test so far, Bonmatí came up with that vital piece of quality to get her side through. Germany did show that a rigid and organised game plan can keep this talented Spain team at bay, but I just don’t think England have enough to thwart them for 90 or even 120 minutes. Ultimately, the winner will be the team that has the most organised defence and can take their chances on the day. Spain have demonstrated both of those attributes in this tournament. England have only shown one.

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(Photo of Lucy Bronze: Eddie Keogh / Getty Images)