LONDON, July 13 – Former England striker Gary Lineker says Gareth Southgate’s side are on the ‘brink of history’ after reaching the Euro 2024 final.
The Three Lions beat the Netherlands 2-1 in Dortmund in Wednesday night to book a spot in Sunday’s final against the favourites, Spain.
It is the first time the men’s side have reached a final outside England after playing the 1966 World Cup final and 2021 Euro final at Wembley, while the women’s Euro victory in 2022 came on home soil.
England’s men have never won the European Championship, with their World Cup win in 1966 their only major silverware, while Spain are three-time European champions.
“I think it’s hugely significant for English football,” Lineker, who will present BBC One’s coverage of the final on Sunday, told BBC Sport.
“They were in a final, they were in the last final of the Euros, of course, and that was at Wembley, and that ended up in huge disappointment [losing to Italy on penalties].
“This is going to be tough, it’s going to be difficult, but they’re on the brink of history. No English team in football has ever won a major tournament abroad.”
“They have got that kind of never-say-die attitude, which is something that is hugely important,” said Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 appearances for England.
