Luke Shaw is now 'expected to start' for England in Sunday night's Euro 2024 final vs Spain as Gareth Southgate makes late change
Luke Shaw and Gareth Southgate embrace after England's win over the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.(Image credit: Getty Images)
Luke Shaw is set to start for England against Spain in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday as Gareth Southgate springs a late surprise.
The Manchester United defender's inclusion in England's 26-man squad for the European Championships was considered a gamble following a long layoff with a hamstring injury, which had seen the left-back sidelined since February.
Shaw did not take part in England's first four fixtures at Euro 2024, but finally made an appareance as a 78th-minute substitute in the quarter-final against Switzerland, playing the final minutes plus extra time as the Three Lions won on penalties.
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The 29-year-old then replaced Kieran Tripper at half-time for the 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the semi-finals on Wednesday night.
But now, The Telegraph claim Shaw will be handed a starting spot against Spain, with Trippier dropping to the bench.
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Luke Shaw and his team-mates celebrate after England take an early lead in the Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Shaw has been described as one of Southgate's favourite players and the former Southampton defender offers more natural balance on the left than Tripper, who is a right-back.
In the Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley, Shaw fired England into an early lead inside two minutes and played the full match plus extra time as the Three Lions lost on penalties. If he scores in the 2024 final he will become the first Englishman to score in two international finals.
The other big selection dilemma for Southgate was whether to start Wednesday night's match-winner Ollie Watkins in attack after his late strike against the Dutch, but the Aston Villa striker seems set to remain on the bench as captain Harry Kane leads the line against Spain.
Ben Hayward is the Weekend Editor of FourFourTwo. A European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.
