Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has made a bold prediction for the upcoming 2024 European Championship final, expecting that Spain will thrash England by a 3-0 margin. Enrique believes that England’s manager, Southgate, may not be able to counteract Spain’s comprehensive offensive play, leaving England at a disadvantage throughout the match.
In an interview, Enrique pointed out that if Southgate’s team adopts a defensive strategy against Spain, it would be a strategic error. He is confident that Spain will control the game tempo, making it difficult for England to find their rhythm. Enrique stated, “I believe Spain will beat England in the final, and I think the victory will be overwhelming, with Spain winning 3-0. Spain will dominate the match, not allowing England to find their own pace.”
The 38-year-old former Liverpool player, who won the League Cup with the team in 2012, advises that England should maintain their tactical system and avoid becoming overly passive during the game. Enrique added, “I hope to see Southgate stick to the tactics he has always used and keep the formation stable during the match. However, once England concedes a goal, their performance changes drastically, shifting into attack mode, which is when they create threats. If Spain cannot quickly take the lead, I anticipate that England will continue with their defense-counterattack strategy as they did in the semi-final against the Netherlands.”
However, Enrique warns that this strategy might not work because Spain possesses one of the strongest attacking lineups in the tournament, and if England retreats defensively, they will face immense pressure.
Historically, in matches between England and Spain, England has had a slight advantage, with a total of 27 meetings where England won 14, drew 3, and lost 10 games.