Eric Dier floored Sergio Ramos with needlessly ferocious tackle that should have earned a medal instead of a card
England must make an early mark on Spain in the Euro 2024 final - just ask Eric Dier.
Gareth Southgate's side face Spain in the showpiece event in Berlin on Sunday night - a clash that is live on talkSPORT.
It's been almost six years since England last faced Spain, with the last contest coming in the UEFA Nations League in October 2018. Played at the home of Real Betis, England managed just five shots and 26 per cent possession, but came away with a 3-2 victory.
Some electric attacking play saw England race to a 3-0 lead at half time with Raheem Sterling scoring twice either side of a composed Marcus Rashford strike.
But before England's forwards rang rings round Spain's defence, Dier set the tone and took Sergio Ramos - the man opponents love to hate - with him.
Ramos - who won 180 caps for Spain as well as playing for Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain - has been one of world football's top defenders in recent years, but that reputation had little bearing on Dier who decided to leave one on him early doors.
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Picking up the ball in his own penalty area just 12 minutes in, Dier pressed with real ferocity and slid in with a full-blooded slide tackle that took the ball and the man in equal measure.
While replays suggest that the challenge was fair, but hearty to say the least, the referee opted to give Dier a yellow card for the challenge, much to his disbelief.
Given the roar of the crowd and the many times it has been circulated online, fans would probably have preferred to have seen Dier awarded a medal for services to s***housing.
But that didn't dampen the statement the tackle made as England approached the rest of the game with a high press and a tireless work ethic that kept Spain under relative control.
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Sunday's clash could be very different to that encounter.
England possess far greater technical quality with stars, including Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham as gifted as they come.
Spain, meanwhile, have softened on their tiki-taka style of play, opting to implement a more pragmatic style that makes them a slightly more direct threat, particularly on the counter-attack.
As a result it's unlikely that England will have to settle for 26 per cent possession in Berlin, but if they can arrive to the occasion with the same ferocity as Dier did in October 2018 then Spain will certainly be in for a difficult evening.
Spain won in 2008 and in 2012, which came either side of a World Cup win and Southgate says his team must be perfect.
The era of Lamal
talkSPORT pundit Emmanuel Petit says England's young opponent in the final is a frightening prospect.
“This guy is only 16. The way he’s playing, he’s got such great skills. He was showing so much confidence with the ball [against France].
“He shows so much character and personality and I was scared about his age. I was thinking about the case of Kylian Mbappe a couple of years ago, now it's Lamine Yamal.
“What is the next generation? Are they coming through at 14 or 15-year-old? They look more mature than our generation. I’m such a big admirer of Lamine Yamal.”
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"They would be rightly favourites for what they have done this tournament," the England boss said. "They have been the best team.
"They have got a day longer and in the last three finals, maybe more, it has been quite significant, so we have got to get our recovery spot on.
"Tactically we will have to be perfect as they are such a good side. But, you know, we are here.
"And it is a game we can prepare for so no matter what the players have shown, the togetherness and the spirit.
"Ollie being ready for his moment. He has trained like that the whole tournament and his head has never dropped. They have all been ready.
"It is so powerful for them as a group when the subs keep coming on and having the impact that they do. And there are all moments of them being the headline writer and making the difference and that is really powerful."
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talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday as England bid to make history against Spain. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the build-up.