Euro 2024 final: Declan Rice eyes England redemption after 2020 heartbreak - ‘We can write our own history’
Published 14/07/2024 at 15:41 GMT+1
Declan Rice feels England have an opportunity to redeem themselves following the Euro 2020 final when they lost to Italy. The Three Lions have reached back-to-back Euro finals for the first time as they continue their bid for a first European title. “Seeing Italy lift that trophy will haunt me forever. We are now presented with another opportunity where we can write our own history," Rice claimed.
England players hit the pool after reaching consecutive Euro finals
Video credit: SNTV
Declan Rice has insisted that England can “write our own history” in the European Championships final against Spain on Sunday.
The Three Lions booked their place in back-to-back European finals in stunning fashion when substitute Ollie Watkins slotted home a late winner against the Netherlands.
Gareth Southgate became the first England manager to guide the nation to two finals in major tournaments after going all the way at Euro 2020.
However, England were beaten by Italy at Wembley Stadium, who came from behind to win on penalties.
Looking ahead to the weekend’s final - the first England's men have played overseas in a major tournament - Rice said there is “definitely” some unfinished business.
“Seeing Italy lift that trophy will haunt me forever,” the Arsenal midfielder said.
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Italy, Euro 2020
Image credit: Getty Images
“We are now presented with another opportunity where we can write our own history. We are up against another top side who we have to massively respect.
“But we also have to enjoy these moments because in 15 or 20 years' time when I look back, these are the nights I’ll remember.
“On the pitch, we feel together and strong. The improvement from the last Euros on the back five is that we’re keeping the ball much better.”
England have had to fight from behind in each of their three knockout matches to advance to the next round, including against the Netherlands in the semi-final.
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Limbs around England as Southgate hopes fans are 'enjoying a few beers'
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Following a rare mistake by Rice, Xavi Simons sent a rocket past Jordan Pickford early on to give the Dutch side the dream start.
“I obviously knew I made the mistake for the goal but thought straight away about my own body language and being positive and thinking about the clock and thinking ‘There is a long way to go here’ and time for me to have an impact on the match,” Rice explained.
“It’s poised to be a great final and another great night. We’re back to back so hopefully now we can do it. Not only for each other but also for the manager. I think he deserves it.”
Yamal at 'another level'
Spain also sealed their spot in their first major final since 2012 in style, with 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal cancelling out France’s opener with a sensational long-range strike.
He obliterated the record for the competition’s youngest goalscorer and ahead of Sunday’s clash, all eyes are on the Barcelona forward who is on “another level” according to Rice.
“I was trying to get a scholarship when I was 16 and you’ve got Yamal putting one in the top bins,” he said.
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Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates at the end of the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Spain v France at Munich Football Arena on July 09, 2024 in Munich, Germany.
Image credit: Getty Images
“At 16, what he is doing is another level as there is no way I was ready at 16. They have so many experienced heads and some fantastic midfield players. It is a game we believe we can win so it is poised to be a great final.
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“There is one more in our legs to give it absolutely everything for the boys, for the fans and for this manager and we are so desperate to do this and bring some happiness to the country.”
Rice and Mainoo has ‘become a nice partnership’
Southgate has experimented with the midfield for large parts of the tournament but finally seems to have settled on a partnership that could last for years.
Following Jordan Henderson’s omission from the squad, Rice has been trialled with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher, neither of whom set the world alight.
But Kobbie Mainoo’s inclusion after an excellent breakthrough season at Manchester United has been a breath of fresh air for England, with the 19-year-old playing almost every minute throughout the knockout stages.
“You can just see. You speak to him and just feel his calm presence that he has and what I like about him is that he is not scared to say it how it is,” Rice said on his latest midfield partner.
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Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Euro 2024, England
Image credit: Getty Images
"There was something towards the end when he gave me a pass between the lines and I got sold short for it. We had to sprint back and we had bit at each other but that is good because you need that relationship and at 19 I can’t imagine many saying that to older players and that’s what I love about him.
“That is what the lads love about him as well. He gets that respect, he has that leadership and the way he takes the ball and is comfortable.
“The conversations we’ve been having daily with each other and on the training pitch has brought us together and we have become a nice partnership.”
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