England will qualify for competition for the very first time if they win Euro 2024 final
England have the chance to make history when they face Spain in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday evening.
The Three Lions booked their place in the showpiece event in Berlin after beating the Netherlands 2-1 in their semi-final on Wednesday night.
Xavi Simons fired the Dutch in front in Dortmund with a spectacular early goal before Harry Kane levelled for England with a controversial penalty shortly after.
Ollie Watkins then came off the bench to score a dramatic winner for England in the final minute of normal time to set up a clash with Spain, who beat France in their semi-final match on Tuesday night.
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Luis de la Fuente's side have been the most impressive team at the tournament and will head into the final as slight favourites to win.
England will be desperate to upset the odds and win their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup, having tasted defeat in the previous Euros final – losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley.
Should Gareth Southgate's side win on Sunday, they would not only be crowned champions but would also qualify for another competition for the first time in their history.
They would be automatically entered into the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, formerly known as the European/South American Nations Cup, the Artemio Franchi Cup and in 2022, the Finalissima.
The match sees the champions of Europe take on the winners of South America's Copa America.
That competition is also currently taking place, with Argentina facing Colombia in the final this weekend.
Colombia qualified for the final with a 1-0 win over Uruguay in a bad-tempered match on Thursday, which ended with Uruguayan players brawling with opposition fans in the stands.
The CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions has taken place sporadically over the last four decades, with the first edition of the competition taking place in 1985.
France beat Uruguay 2-0 that year, with the next edition of the competition taking place in 1993 - Argentina beating Denmark on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
The competition was revived in 2022 with Argentina beating Italy 3-0 at Wembley - Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala scoring for the South American side.
The next edition of the competition is scheduled to take place in 2025, with the host nation and venue yet to be confirmed.
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Spain, Copa America, Football
Rory O'Callaghan