Lionesses Face Spain in Euro 2025 Final: Brown-Finnis Predicts Victory

England will face Spain in the Euro 2025 final at St Jakob-Park in Basel on Sunday, with former England international and BBC Sport football expert Rachel Brown-Finnis predicting a 2-1 victory for the Lionesses. The match pits the reigning European champions against the current World Cup holders, setting the stage for a captivating encounter.

Brown-Finnis, who has maintained a strong prediction record throughout the tournament, believes England's resilience and tactical adaptability under manager Sarina Wiegman will be key to overcoming the Spanish challenge. "They've essentially been playing knockout football since losing their opening group game to France, but have had the mentality to solve every problem they have faced," Brown-Finnis stated. "Their progress has not exactly been straightforward but Sarina Wiegman keeps coming up with a way of winning, and I believe she will do the same against Spain."

A Clash of Titans: England's Strengths vs. Spain's Flair

The final presents a fascinating contrast in styles. England, ranked 5th in the world, have demonstrated defensive solidity and a pragmatic approach, grinding out victories against Sweden and Italy in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively. Spain, ranked 2nd, boast a wealth of attacking talent, spearheaded by Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, and have won their last 10 games. Their semi-final victory over Germany showcased their ability to break down even the most organized defenses.

However, Brown-Finnis highlights a potential vulnerability in the Spanish setup: "It's quite easy to see where Spain's vulnerability could be - they play a high line at the back so you can hurt them with quick attacks and pace in behind." She identifies the pace of Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp, along with the forward runs of Alessia Russo, as crucial assets for England to exploit.

Expert Analysis: "England Can Leverage Their Physicality"

Sports analyst and former professional player, Alex Scott, echoed Brown-Finnis's assessment, emphasizing the importance of England's physicality. "Spain are technically brilliant, but England can leverage their physicality and set-piece prowess," Scott commented. "They need to disrupt Spain's rhythm and force them into uncomfortable situations. Hannah Hampton's distribution from goal could also be a key weapon, as we saw against the Netherlands."

Historical Context: A Recent History of Close Encounters

The two sides have a recent history of closely contested matches. Spain defeated England in the 2023 World Cup final, but England secured a 2-1 victory over Spain at Wembley in February. This recent win provides the Lionesses with a psychological boost heading into the final.

“Having a recent result like that to lean on for reassurance is huge ahead of an occasion like this," Brown-Finnis added. "I look back at that game and think England can do it this time too - and the players will 100% believe it as well."

Goalkeeping Battle: Hampton vs. Coll

Brown-Finnis also pointed to the importance of the goalkeeping battle between England's Hannah Hampton and Spain's Cata Coll. "She [Hampton] has been solid so far at these Euros - brilliant with her feet and very good with her hands. Hampton has commanded her area too and seems to be gaining confidence with every match," Brown-Finnis observed. She expressed a desire to see Coll tested more rigorously, suggesting that England's set-piece deliveries could be a key avenue for creating opportunities.

The Road to the Final: Contrasting Paths

England's journey to the final has been characterized by resilience and tactical adjustments. After a surprising defeat to France in their opening group game, they have navigated a challenging knockout stage, requiring penalties against Sweden and extra time against Italy. Spain, on the other hand, have enjoyed a more comfortable passage, displaying their attacking prowess and defensive solidity throughout the tournament.

Final Prediction: A Tight Affair

While acknowledging the strength of the Spanish team, Brown-Finnis remains confident in England's ability to secure victory. "It is going to be extremely close, of course, because there is so little between the two teams, but I think the Lionesses will win by one goal," she predicted. "After needing penalties in the quarter-finals and extra-time in the semi-finals, this time I can see them getting the job done in 90 minutes."

The Euro 2025 final promises to be a thrilling encounter, showcasing the best of women's football. Whether England can overcome the challenge of Spain and retain their European title remains to be seen, but the stage is set for a memorable finale.

Euro 2025 Final: England vs. Spain Date: Sunday, 27 July Time: 17:00 BST Venue: St Jakob-Park, Basel Coverage: iPlayer, BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website and app