RAHMAN AND MUHAMMAD ALI IN LONDON | 1966

Rahman and Muhammad Ali walking past Marble Arch, London, after their roadwork in Hyde Park in preparation for the Brian London fight scheduled for August 6th 1966.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: SAIBARI SCORES FASTEST GOAL OF THIS EDITION AS MOROCCO BEAT SCOTLAND 1-0

 

Massachusetts [US], June 20 (ANI): Morocco secured a clinical 1-0 victory over Scotland at Boston Stadium, with Ismael Saibari scoring the decisive goal as the Atlas Lions maintained control to claim a crucial Group C win.

Morocco completed 601 passes against Scotland, the most by an African team in a FIFA World Cup match on record since 1966, as per OptaJoe's X handle.

Morocco struck early through Saibari, who broke past the Scottish defence, controlled a precise pass from Brahim Diaz, and fired a powerful finish into the roof of the net beyond goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

The strike proved to be the fastest goal of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 and also Morocco's quickest ever at the global tournament, helping them move to four points and temporarily top Group C ahead of Brazil's fixture in Philadelphia.

After the interval, both sides created chances in an open contest. Saibari nearly doubled the lead but saw his deflected effort crash off the crossbar after a sharp move initiated by Bilal El Khannouss.

Morocco came close again when El Khannouss almost converted a near-post corner from Achraf Hakimi, only for Gunn to deny him once more.

In the closing stages, Scotland pushed hard for an equaliser, with John McGinn, Ben Gannon-Doak and Scott McTominay leading repeated attacks. However, Morocco held firm under pressure to secure all three points and complete a vital win.

During the clash, Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari etched his name into the record books after scoring the fastest goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026, finding the net just 70 seconds.

Saibari struck after only one minute and 10 seconds, surpassing the previous fastest goal of the tournament scored by Czechia's Michal Sadilek, who had netted after five minutes and seven seconds against South Africa earlier in the competition.

The early breakthrough underlined Morocco's positive start to the match and highlighted Saibari's growing influence on the international stage.

The goal also saw Saibari achieve another significant milestone. He became only the second African player to score in each of his first two FIFA World Cup appearances, joining Egypt's Mohamed Salah in the exclusive list.

In addition, the strike is now the fastest goal ever scored by Morocco at a FIFA World Cup and the second-fastest goal scored by an African nation in the tournament's history. The record for the fastest World Cup goal by an African player remains with Ghana's Asamoah Gyan, who scored against the Czech Republic during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Ismael Saibari's early effort has now become the quickest goal of the ongoing edition of the World Cup, highlighting his immediate impact in the high-profile clash.

However, the fastest goal in FIFA World Cup history remains unchanged. Turkey's Hakan Sukur still holds that record, having scored just 11 seconds into a match against South Korea in 2002. Sukur had capitalised on a defensive lapse straight from kickoff to slot home and create a milestone that continues to stand as the quickest strike in World Cup history. 

- ANI

FORD GT-40 | 1966

 🇨🇵Le Mans 1966 & Ken Miles 🇬🇧

BOB ARUM NAMES THE ONLY HEAVYWEIGHT WHO COMES CLOSE TO EQUALLING GEORGE FOREMAN'S POWER

Legendary promoter Bob Arum has worked with a number of legendary heavyweights throughout his career, including the late, great George Foreman.

The 93-year-old’s first championship promotion was with Muhammad Ali back in 1966, when he defended his heavyweight title against George Chuvalo in Toronto, Canada.

Arum went on to establish Top Rank in 1973, where he has played an instrumental role in promoting over 500 world title bouts across five decades. As well as working alongside Ali, the 93-year-old has promoted fighters such as Foreman, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao to name just a few.

Arum promoted Foreman’s incredible 1994 victory over Michael Moorer, which saw ‘Big’ George become the oldest heavyweight champion in history when he captured the WBA and IBF titles with a tenth round stoppage over the previously unbeaten heavyweight star.

In an interview with Sean Zittel, Arum was asked how he believes the heavyweight icon would have fared against the stars of today, before saying former that former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is the only fighter who comes close to carrying the level of punching power that ‘Big’ George did.

“I think quite well, because I don’t know any heavyweight around who had the ring savvy that he had and the punching power that he possessed. Of heavyweight fighters with punching power, the one that came close was Wilder, but Wilder didn’t have the defensive skills that George had and couldn’t take a punch the way George did.”

Foreman picked up 76 victories throughout his tenure, with 68 of those coming via stoppage. Perhaps one of the most famous wins of his career came in January 1973 when he dropped Joe Frazier six times before knocking him out in the second round of their bout to become the world heavyweight champion for the first time.

Wilder has 43 knockouts from his 43 wins and believes himself to be the biggest puncher the sport has ever seen. After back-to-back losses in Saudi Arabia against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang, the 39-year-old is making a low-key comeback this June before one last crack at the top level.

 - Toby Morgan

EUSÉBIO DA SILVA FERREIRA | 'THE BLACK PANTHER OF MOZAMBIQUE '

 

Eusebio da Silva Ferreira (1942 – 2014) was one of the greatest players in world football. Strong in acrobatics, powerful in conclusions, he scored in any way. Let it be witnessed by the fact that, with Benfica, in 614 matches, both official and friendly, he scored 638 goals.

Born in Mozambique, today Maputo, at the time Portuguese colony, arrived in Lisbon very young and wore the Benfica shirt for 15 years winning 11 championships (the first in 1960-61, the last in 1971-72); 5 Portuguese Cups and a Champions Cup (1961-62).

He was 7 times the top scorer of the Portuguese league, Ballon d'Or in 1965 and twice the Golden Boot (the first edition in 1968 and 1973).

He played three more Champions Cup finals and was the trophy's top scorer in 1965, 1966 and 1968.

He was, of course, a pillar of the Lusitanian national team with which they won third place in the 1966 World Cup and was the top scorer of the 9 nets event.

THE RHINE DERBIES EXPLAINED: BORUSSIA MÖNCHENGLADBACH, COLOGNE, BAYER LEVERKUSEN AND FORTUNA DÜSSELDORF

Bayer Leverkusen versus Borussia Mönchengladbach is just one of the big Rhine derby rivalries. - © DFL/Getty Images/Alexander Scheuber

Rhine rivals Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Cologne and Fortuna Düsseldorf duel for regional supremacy in north-west Germany as well as points when derby day comes around each season.

bundesliga.com snuggles into the footballing hotbed of North Rhine-Westphalia and the major derby rivalries that mean these fixtures are among the biggest games of any season for the fans — and players — of the four major clubs.

Fortuna Düsseldorf - Cologne 

First derby: 11 May 1950, Düsseldorf 0-1 Cologne (Oberliga West)

First Bundesliga derby: 29 October 1966, Düsseldorf 1-3 Cologne

First Bundesliga 2 derby: 19 October 1998, Cologne 1-0 Düsseldorf

Most recent derby: 21 September 2024, Cologne 2-2 Düsseldorf

Bundesliga derbies: 46, Cologne leads with 22 wins, 14 draws, 10 defeats

Bundesliga 2 derbies: 5, Cologne leads with 2 wins, 2 draw, 1 defeat

Distance between clubs: 26.8 miles as the crow flies.

This rivalry does actually have real history to it. And we mean "history". It dates back to the Middle Ages when Cologne - a former Roman colony - was already a well-established cathedral city and Düsseldorf - 'dorf' means 'village' in German - was no more than its name. Many of the farmers from around the village fought for the Duke of Brabant against the archbishop of Cologne in 1288 in what became known as the Slaughter of Worringen, and it all started there. We said there would be history...

Fortunately, now the fighting is limited to on the rink between the cities' two ice hockey teams, who will have four derbies this season. The football teams met frequently too between the 1960s and 1990s, but since the turn of the millennium, their yo-yoing between divisions means encounters have been much more scarce.

Düsseldorf and Cologne have a long-standing rivalry that goes well beyond the boundaries of the football pitch. - IMAGO/Moritz Mueller
 

Düsseldorf are very much second-best in terms of derby wins. They did get a draw in the last meeting between these two in September of last year, but historically the Billy Goats have held the upper hand.

Former Germany international forward Klaus Allofs, who won Euro '80, is the best-known player to have featured for both clubs. Born in Düsseldorf, he won two DFB Cups and finished runner-up in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1978/79. He then spent six years in Cologne (1981-87), winning another DFB Cup and a UEFA Cup runners-up medal in 1985/86. He returned as coach of Fortuna for the 1998/99 season, but was fired before the end of the campaign. He came back to Düsseldorf over two decades later in 2020 to take a role in the club's management.

Cologne - Bayer Leverkusen

First derby: 4 November 1951, Cologne 0-2 Leverkusen (Oberliga West)

First Bundesliga derby: 15 September 1979, Leverkusen 1-1 Cologne

Most recent derby: 3 March 2024, Cologne 0-2 Leverkusen 

Bundesliga derbies: 72, Leverkusen lead the series with 29 wins, 25 draws, 18 defeats

Distance between clubs: 9.3 miles as the crow flies

This derby does not have the history of the rivalry between Cologne and Mönchengladbach simply because Leverkusen were only first promoted to the Bundesliga in 1979. Suffocating geographical proximity between the two clubs and cities, however, means there are all the ingredients for a fiercely passionate derby atmosphere when the pair meet.

It is just a short train ride from the Domstadt — the Cathedral City — of Cologne to the town that gained its name from the 19th-century industrialist Carl Leverkus - and is home to the Bayer pharmaceutical company. The journey is one that has been made regularly by fans of both clubs since their first Bundesliga meeting in 1979.

While Cologne fans have been known to mock their neighbours' functional and much smaller stadium as a 'car park', Leverkusen — home to some 160,000 people — can certainly boast of having had the better football team over the last four decades than the million-strong city on their doorstep.

Cologne fans will rightly point out they were the very first Bundesliga champions in 1963 and that they also won it in 1977/78, but Leverkusen's historic unbeaten romp to the 2023/24 title may just trump that.

Die Werkself — the Factory Eleven, in reference to Bayer's creation and ownership of the club — have also finished league runners-up five times, racked up over 100 UEFA Champions League/European Cup appearances, more than 50 in the UEFA Europa League and claimed continental silverware in the shape of the 1987/88 UEFA Cup. They were also Champions League runners-up in 2001/02 and 2023/24 Europa League runners-up, the only game they lost in an incredible domestic double-winning campaign.

They have derby bragging rights too. They have the better head-to-head record by some margin, and achieved a near-14-year unbeaten run against the Billy Goats (if you're wondering, 'What's with that nickname?', see below) between November 1997 and April 2011.

This derby also generally provides excitement on the pitch. Indeed, only five times in their 72 Bundesliga meetings to date have the pair served up a goalless draw - and despite Leverkusen's better overall record, Cologne won in Leverkusen in both 2021/22 and 2022/23.

The highest-scoring encounter to date came in May 1985 when future FIFA World Cup winner Pierre Littbarski scored twice to help Cologne into a 3-2 half-time lead. They then went 4-2 up only for Herbert Waas to find the net twice to secure a point for Leverkusen, and ensure both sets of fans went home with smiles.

Despite the division, some players have crossed the divide. Patrick Helmes was born in Cologne and started and ended his professional career with his hometown club, but in between, the 13-time Germany international striker had a three-year spell at Leverkusen (2008-11).

More recently, Florian Wirtz — born in the Cologne suburb of Pulheim — spent 10 years at his hometown club's youth academy before making the switch to Leverkusen, where he has developed into a record-breaking bona fide Bundesliga star.

Cologne - Borussia Mönchengladbach

First derby: 10 September 1950, Cologne 6-2 Gladbach (Oberliga West)

First Bundesliga derby: 20 November 1965, Mönchengladbach 2-3 Cologne

Most recent derby: 9 March 2024, Gladbach 3-3 Cologne

Bundesliga derbies: 98, Gladbach lead the series with 52 wins, 18 draws, 28 defeats

Distance between clubs: 35.4 miles

Although Mönchengladbach is not situated on the Rhine like the other two, this one is considered 'the big one' in terms of local rivalry. Why? History. This time it's 100% football history, and the man who wrote much of it for both teams and one of German football's greatest figures, Hennes Weisweiler.

Just after Cologne claimed the inaugural Bundesliga title, one of their former players, Weisweiler, took charge of second-tier Gladbach. And to give you an indication of what he then did simply search for the BORUSSIA-PARK address and you'll find it's located at Hennes Weisweiler Allee 1.

That's because he took a team of young local talents such as Günter Netzer and Jupp Heynckes to the summit of German — and very nearly European — football in a ludicrously successful period in the 1970s, a decade in which the club won the Bundesliga title five times.

But he's also a legend in Cologne. Why else do you think the club mascot — yes, the goat — is named Hennes?

After leaving Gladbach in 1975 following a legendary 11-year stint, Weisweiler coached Barcelona briefly before taking over as Cologne boss in 1976. Over the next four years, he worked his magic again, taking an unheralded team to the domestic double in 1977/78 as well as to a European Cup semi-final.

Players have made the switch too. Part of that great Gladbach side and now club vice-president, Rainer Bonhof, captained Cologne later in his career while Hans-Georg Dreßen transferred back and forth no fewer than four times, and — after injury cut short his career at 26 — later became assistant coach with Borussia. "There was never any problem," he said of his treatment by opposing fans. "Neither in Gladbach, nor in Cologne."

That was certainly a good thing for Weisweiler and some of his players who were treated by dentist Franz Wichelhaus. 'Who?!' you cry. Wichelhaus was the very first player to be transferred between the two clubs in 1953 in the pre-Bundesliga days. He couldn't make the breakthrough in Cologne and so moved to Mönchengladbach where he became team captain before switching to the profession he had studied for after his playing career.

Leverkusen - Mönchengladbach

First derby: 19 October 1952, Leverkusen 2-2 Gladbach (Oberliga West)

First Bundesliga derby: 15 December 1979, Leverkusen 0-0 Gladbach

Most recent derby: 18 January 2025, Leverkusen 3-1 Gladbach

Bundesliga derbies: 86, Leverkusen lead the series with 36 wins, 28 draws, 22 defeats

Distance between clubs: 26 miles

Almost certainly one of the reasons both Cologne and Mönchengladbach fans treat Leverkusen as their 'little' Rhine derby neighbours is that the Bayer-built outfit have got the better of both of them throughout their Bundesliga history.

Leverkusen are now unbeaten in 11 top-flight outings against the Foals, following up a frustrating goalless draw at home last term with wins at home and away this term.

Even if Leverkusen won the 2023/24 double, the club is still playing catch-up in the silverware stakes. Gladbach fans can console themselves with a weighty haul of five Bundesliga titles, three DFB Cups, two UEFA Cups, and — like Leverkusen in 2001/02 — European Cup runners-up.

That was in the 1976/77 final, however, and the last of Gladbach's Bundesliga titles came in that same year — two years before Leverkusen even played their first German top-flight game.

With only a DFB Cup and Bundesliga 2 title added to the trophy cabinet since the pair first met with top-flight points up for grabs, Gladbach fans have not got much to goad their neighbours about now. 

While fans would not dream of doing so, players have crossed the divide.

Christoph Kramer joined Leverkusen aged eight and went on to play for the first team before really making the breakthrough at Bundesliga level during a two-year loan spell at Mönchengladbach between 2013 and 2015. He returned to Leverkusen for a season, but the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner made the switch to Gladbach permanent in 2016, making 288 competitive appearances before an emotional departure in summer 2024.

The transfer traffic has gone in the opposite direction too. Walter Posner played just two Bundesliga games for Mönchengladbach — that was enough to get him a 1974/75 title winner's medal — but featured in 134 for Leverkusen over a nine-year spell.

Hopefully Heiko Herrlich got a return ticket when he left Leverkusen after winning the 1992/93 DFB Cup to join Mönchengladbach. He won another DFB Cup there before playing for Borussia Dortmund, but he came back to the BayArena as coach between summer 2017 and December 2018.

 - Bundesliga.com

DODGERS' SHOHEI OHTANI, YANKEES' AARON JUDGE UNANIMOUS MVPS

Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge make up the pinnacle of their profession, baseball's two biggest stars representing its two most prestigious franchises. Their meeting in last month's World Series solidified it -- and their latest honor commemorated it.

Ohtani and Judge captured the Most Valuable Player awards in their respective leagues Thursday, both doing so unanimously. Ohtani won his third in four years, all of them coming by unanimous vote. Judge's second -- which comes two years after he edged Ohtani for the American League honor with a home-run-record-breaking season -- came on the heels of one of the best offensive performances in baseball history.

And yet the exploits of Judge's season somehow paled in comparison to what his National League counterpart accomplished over the past 12 months.

In that time, Ohtani signed an unprecedented $700 million contract, became the first 50/50 player in baseball history, helped his Los Angeles Dodgers defeat Judge's New York Yankees for the championship and ultimately became the first full-time designated hitter to win an MVP -- all while rehabbing a second major elbow surgery that prevented him from pitching.

"I'm very happy, obviously, to win the award," Ohtani, speaking through an interpreter, said on a conference call. "My goal was to be able to pitch and contribute offensively, and the fact that I knew I wasn't going to be able to pitch this season just made me focus more on my offensive game. Fortunately, I was able to produce and get this award, which is very humbling."

Ohtani became the 12th player to win three MVPs and the second to do so within his first seven seasons, joining Stan Musial, according to ESPN Research. Before Ohtani, Frank Robinson was the only player to win the award in both leagues (1961 NL, 1966 AL).

Ohtani led the NL in homers (54), RBIs (130) and OPS (1.036) while adding 59 stolen bases -- 33 more than his previous career high. His first season as a Dodger began with his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, being indicted for stealing millions from Ohtani in a betting scandal and ended in World Series victory, a fitting capstone to Ohtani's first trip to the playoffs. In between, Ohtani set the Dodgers' single-season record for home runs, stole more bases than any Japanese-born player in baseball history, became the first DH to lead his league in wins above replacement and joined Ty Cobb as the only player to finish within the top two in the majors in both homers and steals.

Before Ohtani, nobody had ever won multiple MVPs unanimously, let alone three.

"Obviously I moved to a new league and everything's been kind of a new experience," Ohtani said. "There's so many great players in the National League, obviously, and to be able to win the award unanimously is a great feeling. I'm very proud of that. Hopefully in the upcoming seasons I'll continue to be able to perform to this high level."

Judge and Ohtani each captured all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor finished second to Ohtani with 23 second-place votes, and Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte finished third, earning five second-place votes. In the AL, Bobby Witt Jr., the Kansas City Royals' young superstar shortstop, received all 30 second-place votes. Juan Soto, the high-profile free agent who spent all season batting in front of Judge in the Bronx, finished third.

Judge led the majors in homers (58), RBIs (144), OPS (1.159) and FanGraphs wins above replacement (11.2) in a 2024 season that saw the 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger spend most of his time in center field and lead the Yankees to a pennant. Judge's 223 adjusted OPS was the highest among right-handed hitters since 1900, according to ESPN Research. He became the third player with at least 50 homers and an adjusted OPS of 200 or more, joining Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds.

Judge is the seventh Yankee to win multiple MVPs, joining Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Alex Rodriguez and Roger Maris. Before Judge, Mantle's 1956 season was the only one in Yankees history to yield a unanimous MVP vote.

Since his first full season in 2017, when he was voted AL Rookie of the Year and finished second in MVP voting, Judge leads the majors in FanGraphs wins above replacement (51.4), weighted runs created plus (176), slugging percentage (.611) and home runs (311) despite sitting out significant time in three of those eight seasons. He broke the AL home run record in 2022, going deep 62 times, but he was better in practically every other offensive category in 2024, slashing .322/.458/.701 despite a brutal first month.

"March and April were not my friend this year," Judge, who did not take part in the standard BBWAA conference call, told MLB Network. "It's a long season. You're going to go through some ups, you're going to go through some downs. It's just about leaning on your teammates, your family and just putting in the work. I think that's what it comes down to -- just keep putting in the work and things are going to change. You can't mope. You can't feel sorry for yourself. Especially in New York -- nobody's going to feel sorry for you."

Of Judge's 58 home runs in 2024, a whopping 23 gave his team the lead. But his season ended in bitter fashion, with Judge going 4-for-18 in the World Series and making a key error -- dropping a fly ball to help set up what became a five-run fifth inning -- in the decisive Game 5 on Oct. 30.

Six days later, Ohtani underwent surgery to repair a labrum tear in his left, non-throwing shoulder, the result of an injury he sustained on an attempted steal in Game 2 of the World Series. Ohtani has since removed the stitches from his surgically repaired shoulder and is focusing on range-of-motion exercises in the early stages of his ramp-up.

"The goal is to be ready for Opening Day. That includes hitting and pitching," Ohtani said. "But we are kind of taking our time, obviously. We want to make sure that I'm healthy first; we're not going to rush anything."

It wasn't until his fourth season in the big leagues that Ohtani emerged as a two-way force. He came over from Japan and made nine starts for the Los Angeles Angels before sustaining a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament that ultimately led to Tommy John surgery in 2018, restricting him to DH for most of his first two years. The 2021 season -- coming off a brutal showing in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season -- was the start of a historic three-year stretch in which Ohtani produced a .964 OPS with 124 homers and 57 stolen bases, and also a 2.84 ERA and 542 strikeouts in 428⅓ innings.

A second UCL repair followed, preventing Ohtani from pitching beyond August 2023. It did not prevent another dream-like season. Ohtani dismissed outsized pressure, focused on becoming a better base stealer and produced some of the season's most memorable moments even before hoisting the World Series trophy. He hit a walk-off grand slam to join the 40/40 club and put together one of history's best single-game performances -- with three home runs, two steals and 10 RBIs in Miami on Sept. 19 -- to reach the 50/50 mark and solidify his first postseason berth.

Ohtani is unquestionably at the top of the sport.

Judge is up there, too.

"When I hear that, I think people are coming for the spot," Judge told MLB Network. "You got to keep putting in the work."

- Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer

SPAIN VS. ENGLAND TALE OF THE TAPE: WHO WILL WIN EURO 2024?

The Euro 2024 final is set, with three-time European champions Spain attempting to prevent England's men from winning the tournament for the first time and, in the process, ending their 58-year wait for international glory since lifting the World Cup in 1966.

It promises to be a clash of styles in Berlin -- Spain's peerless possession game against England's blend of pace and power, with both sides relying on the new generation of football superstars in Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham.

Spain have been the most eye-catching and effective team of Euro 2024 -- the only side to win all of their games -- while England struggled to play to their potential until the 2-1 semifinal win against Netherlands. But both teams have the players and the experience to win, and coaches Luis de la Fuente and Gareth Southgate have strengths and weaknesses to address.

Spain are aiming to become the most successful nation ever at the European Championship by winning a fourth title on Sunday. Their three previous successes (1964, 2008, 2012) have them tied with Germany's three continental titles.

England's men have never won the Euros. The Three Lions reached the final for the first time at Euro 2020, but lost in a penalty shootout against Italy at Wembley Stadium in London.

Will it be Spain captain Álvaro Morata or England skipper Harry Kane who gets to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy at the Olympiastadion on Sunday? Here's how the two teams stack up ahead of the final.

Goalkeeper

Spain's Unai Simón and England's Jordan Pickford arrive at the final having been two of the most consistent and reliable goalkeepers at Euro 2024 and they are both remarkably similar in their records at the tournament.

Simón, 27, is able to play as an auxiliary defender and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. The Athletic Club No. 1 has conceded just three goals in five games, making 12 saves in those fixtures.

Pickford, 30, has been England's first choice since the 2018 World Cup and has been a hero in penalty shootouts against Colombia in that tournament and Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals. The Everton player's distribution with his feet is more long-distance than Simón's, but his ability to pick out forwards and wingers is a key part of England's approach. In six games, Pickford has conceded four goals and made 14 saves and, just like Simón, is a reliable figure when it comes to collecting crosses.

Weaknesses? Both can take risks with the ball at their feet in the penalty area, so quick-thinking forwards could catch them out.

Defence

Spain have operated with a back four throughout Euro 2024 and, with right-back Dani Carvajal and centre-back Robin Le Normand available again after missing the semifinal win over France through suspension, coach De la Fuente is likely to restore them alongside Aymeric Laporte and left-back Marc Cucurella.

It is a classic back four in terms of the qualities of the individual players. Real Madrid's Carvajal is arguably the world's best right-back, equally effective going forward as he is defensively, while Chelsea's Cucurella offers balance on the left. Cucurella's performances in Germany have been a stark contrast to the struggles he has endured at Stamford Bridge during the past two seasons. In the centre, Real Sociedad's Le Normand and Al Nassr defender Laporte, the former Manchester City player, offer physical presence, outstanding ability on the ball and a right-footed/left-footed combination. Both are also strong in the air.

Spain lack pace at the heart of their defence, but with striker Kane likely to play through the centre for England, his similar lack of pace means Laporte and Le Normand will not have their weakness tested.

England have operated with both four-man and three-man defences in Germany, but Southgate is expected to revert to a back four on Sunday. With Kieran Trippier struggling to overcome a groin strain, left-back Luke Shaw is likely to start for the first time, with Marc Guéhi, John Stones and right-back Kyle Walker completing the defensive lineup.

Stones has been one of the outstanding defenders at the tournament, while Guéhi has been a revelation, missing only the Switzerland quarterfinal through suspension. Stones and Guéhi form a perfect blend of pace, strength and reading of the game. At right-back, Walker has once again shown himself to be a world-class full-back. But how Stones and Guéhi combine with defensive midfielder Declan Rice to nullify the threat of Spain's Dani Olmo could be decisive on Sunday.

Midfield

The injury to Pedri, suffered in the quarterfinal win against Germany, has forced De la Fuente to switch from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1, with Rodri and Fabián Ruiz now playing behind a more advanced three, with Olmo operating in between the midfield and attacking lines. That switch has given Spain greater attacking threat, but it hasn't weakened their midfield, despite the loss of a player as gifted as Pedri.

The reason for that is Rodri's absolute command of the defensive sector of midfield and his ability to dictate and destroy in equal measure. Ruiz perfectly complements the Manchester City player's attributes with his more adventurous qualities.

For England, Rice and Kobbie Mainoo perform the same two-man midfield axis as Rodri and Ruiz, but with different elements than the Spanish pair. Arsenal's record-signing Rice brings the energy and tenacity, while Manchester United youngster Mainoo offers the flair and calmness. Mainoo has been a breakout star of the tournament, but the defensive side of the 19-year-old's game can let him down at times. Conversely, Rice can be limited with his passing ability in open play, although his set-piece deliveries have been highly effective at club level.

Further forward, Bellingham links the midfield and attack for England. Despite scoring twice at Euro 2024, the Real Madrid player has had an indifferent tournament and looks tired, but he remains a world-class talent, and Spain will regard him as the player to stop with many of the squad having seen him up close in LaLiga this season.

In terms of personnel and experience, Spain clearly win the midfield battle on paper and England have to find a way to overcome that.

Nico Williams and Bukayo Saka will be crucial attacking influences on Sunday. TOBIAS SCHWARZADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Attack

For both sides, the strength is out wide rather than through the centre where both Morata and Kane have struggled to make an impact. The two centre-forwards have had frustrating tournaments, although Kane has scored three goals -- Morata has one in six games -- and could yet win the Golden Boot. But it is the ability of Yamal and Nico Williams for Spain and the proven quality of Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka that could decide this game.

Yamal and Williams have been outstanding for Spain. Both have displayed pace, awareness and goal threat and Yamal, who celebrates his 17th birthday on Saturday, has announced himself to the world as a generational talent.

Saka and Foden have yet to hit the same heights for England, although Saka did score a crucial equaliser in the quarterfinal against Switzerland. But while Saka and Foden are still searching for their best, Spain will have no doubt that either of them could win the game for England with a flash of individual brilliance. Both can score with shots from distance and they are equally comfortable on either flank.

While Yamal and Williams are the form players, don't underestimate the threat posed by Foden and Saka.

Impact substitutes

Spain and England have incredible depth and both De la Fuente and Southgate have won games at Euro 2024 with timely substitutions. Less than 10 minutes after entering the action in the semifinal against Netherlands, substitutes Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins combined for Watkins to score a 90th-minute winner for England. But in the quarterfinals, Mikel Merino performed a similar job for Spain by scoring a headed winner in the 119th minute against Germany after being thrown on late in the game. Mikel Oyarzabal, Joselu, Ferran Torres and Ayoze Pérez also have the ability to be matchwinners for La Roja, while at the back, De la Fuente can also rely on serial Champions League winner Nacho Fernández in case of emergency.

England's options are just as impressive. Palmer has made a telling contribution each time he has been used as a sub, while forwards Ivan Toney and Eberechi Eze have also impressed. Trent Alexander-Arnold's set-piece ability and delivery from wide is a potential game changer from the bench, while Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen both possess the pace and attacking instinct to make an impact late in the game.

Gareth Southgate and Luis de la Fuente will most to mastermind success on Sunday. MIGUEL MEDINAODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images

The managers

Sunday's final is all about the two teams, but it is also a pointer to the importance of youth team coaches with both De la Fuente and Southgate elevated to the top job after lengthy periods working with the youth sides.

Southgate, whose only club job ended with relegation from the Premier League with Middlesbrough in 2009, spent three years in charge of England under-21s. He only took the senior job in 2016 after Sam Allardyce was fired for off-field controversies after just one game in charge. Prior to his U21 role, Southgate, 53, headed the English FA's elite development unit, with responsibility for overseeing the development of young players, for 18 months.

De la Fuente has had a similar career path, although his only senior job prior to taking charge of Spain in 2022 was a four-month stint with Alaves in 2011. The 63-year-old's career has been rooted in development squads and youth teams, with time in charge of Spain's under-19, U21, under-23 and Olympic sides (winning a silver medal in Tokyo.) He succeeded Luis Enrique with the senior side following the 2022 World Cup, and the following year led them to a trophy by winning the UEFA Nations League.

The referee

French official François Letexier has been handed the responsibility of taking charge of the final by UEFA. The 35-year-old has refereed three games already at the tournament, including Spain's round-of-16 win against Georgia, but this will be the biggest game of his career by far.

His highlight until now was taking charge of the UEFA Super Cup between Manchester City and Sevilla last season, before being appointed as fourth official for the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley last month.

But in a tournament in which VAR has played an outsized role in games, perhaps the key appointments are those who will sit in front of the TV screens at the VAR hub. France's Jérôme Brisard will take the lead VAR role, assisted by fellow Frenchman Willy Delajod and Italy's Massimiliano Irrati.

A familiar fixture

This is the first time that Spain and England have met in a senior men's final, but the two nations have become regular rivals across the game and Sunday's showpiece points to the success of the two national associations in developing their teams.

England beat Spain in the 2023 Euro U21 final in Batumi, Georgia, with Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon both starting that game, while Spain beat England in the Women's World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, last August.

If England win on Sunday, it will give the country the distinction of being European champions in both the men's and women's game, with the Lionesses winning the Euros in 2022, having defeated Spain at the quarterfinal stage.

The trophy

The winning captain will lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy, named after the former president of the French Football Federation who introduced the European Championship as UEFA's first general secretary.

The trophy, which weighs 8 kg (17½ lbs) and is 60 cm (23½ in) tall, is made of sterling silver and was produced by Asprey London, a renowned jeweller and goldsmith. It is the second version of the trophy, with UEFA replacing the original, smaller cup in 2008.

- Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

LOTUS 1960-66 | FORMULA 1

 

PELÉ AT PICCADILY STATION | MANCHESTER 1966

 

ENGLAND VS. WEST GERMANY | 1966 WORLD CUP FINAL | BRITISH PATHE

BRAZIL: PICHA AMBAZO HAZIJAWAHI KUONEKANA MPAKA SASA ZA PELE, GARINCHA NA TIMU YA TAIFA YA BRAZIL MWAKA 1966 ZAVUTIA WENGI UINGEREZA

Pele akiwa na Captain Bellini (Picha: Neil Perkins)

Mwaka 1966 timu ya taifa ya Brazil ilisafiri kwenda kushiriki World Cup huko Uingereza...