Euro 2025 final LIVE: Build-up as England seek revenge against Spain | Football

Without question, the breakout star of Euro 2025 has been Michelle Agyemang.

The teenager, who had just one England appearance to her name before the tournament, scored the crucial equalisers against Sweden and Italy.

There’s great clamour for the Arsenal forward to start, but Chelsea legend and USA manager Emma Hayes doesn’t think she should.

‘As good as Michelle’s impact has been with her three goals in four caps, it is another jump up to do it from the start.

‘There is so much a starting centre-forward has to do other than score goals, including to set the press, and Alessia Russo knows that role inside out.’

Read the full story here.

By comparison, Spain’s journey to the Euro 2025 final has been fairly easy.

They cruised to the top of Group B by defeating Portugal 6-0, Belgium 6-2 and Italy 3-1.

Host nation Switzerland made things difficult in the quarter-finals, saving two penalties, but Spain still secured a 2-0 win.

The only match they’ve struggled in was the semi-final against Germany, with only a moment of magic from Aitana Bonmati in extra-time separating the two sides.

Spain may be world champions but this will be their first Euros final…

To say that England’s journey to the Euro 2025 final has been chaotic would be a massive understatement.

Drawn in the ‘Group of Death’, the Lionesses lost their opening match 2-1 to France but recovered to beat the Netherlands 4-0 and Wales 6-1.

They were so close to being knocked out at the quarter-final stage after going 2-0 down at half-time to Sweden but were rescued by late goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang.

In the subsequent penalty shootout, they were twice on the verge of elimination but Hannah Hampton’s heroics saved them and they snuck through.

It was a similar story in the semi-final, with Agyemang netting a 96th minute equaliser after Italy had the lead the game for so long.

With another shootout looming, England won a penalty which Chloe Kelly took – her effort was saved but she tucked in the rebound to send the Lionesses to Basel.

The atmosphere in Basel has been bubbling up nicely all weekend, with comedian Maisie Adam among the England fans getting ready for kick-off in just over four hours’ time.

They all believe the Lionesses will triumph, as does Rachel Brown-Finnis.

‘What Sarina Wiegman does is create an environment off as well as on the pitch where players can thrive,’ the former England goalkeeper writes in her Metro column.

‘There is never a doubt from her that England can get an outcome and for her, rightly, the result outweighs everything. That’s not complacency – just real, real belief.

‘They now need to show that, because we all know how difficult this is going to be if our never-say-die Lionesses are to make history. But we can do it again, we really can.’

Today’s final is of course a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final and the Lionesses will be hoping for a very different result.

Spain beat England 1-0 in Australia to win their first World Cup with Olga Carmona scoring the winner in the first-half.

Spain were the better team for much of the game and nearly doubled their lead late on, but Mary Earps notably saved Jenni Hermoso’s penalty.

Earps is among several notable England stars who started that final but are not at Euro 2025.

Speaking of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s side are in action right now as they take on Newcastle in a pre-season friendly.

Martin Zubimendi is making his first start for the Gunners while new signing Viktor Gyokeres will be unveiled to the fans in Singapore.

You can follow that match here, but make sure you come back to continue our build-up to the Euro 2025 final!

If nothing else, the Euro 2025 final should be a fascinating game of football from a tactical point of view.

Sarina Wiegman will need to deliver a tactical masterclass to defeat Spain, who are the world champions and favourites to be crowned European champions.

But could the Lionesses boss be inspired by Arsenal?

The Gunners pulled off an upset win in the Champions League final two months ago against a Barcelona side near-identical to the Spain team that will play today.

Read our full tactical preview here.

Just under three years ago, the Lionesses made history.

After 56 years of hurt, England finally brought football home.

Ella Toone opened the scoring at Wembley before old rivals Germany equalised, sending the final to extra-time.

Cloe Kelly then did what she does best, coming off the bench to score the winner and giving the country a moment they’ll never forget.

The Lionesses brought football home. Today, they fight to keep it there.

‘So here we are again – the final. You’ve led dear England to three major finals in four years and a first trophy since 1966.

‘Where would we be without you? It’s a golden generation but great teams need great leaders and we have you. Never mind Southgate – Sarina, you’re the one.’

Read the Metro’s full open letter to Sarina Wiegman and the Lionesses here.

Switzerland have done a great job of hosting this tournament, with the final taking place at the St. Jakob-Park stadium in Basel.

Over 34,000 are expected at the ground, with millions more watching worldwide.

The final will kick-off at 5pm UK time.

Good morning and welcome to the Metro’s LIVE blog where we’re counting down until the final of Euro 2025 between England and Spain!

The European champions take on the world champions in Basel this evening.

Can the Lionesses make history?