Bukayo Saka set to make EURO 2024 history
England winger Bukayo Saka is set to make history if he plays a part, at least, in Sunday’s EURO 2024 final against Spain.
If he plays, the Nigeria-born star will become the youngest player to make an appearance in two EURO finals after featuring in the penalty shootout loss to Italy at EURO 2020.
Saka, at 22 years and 313 days, will beat the record previously held by Germany star, Uli Hoeness (24 years and 167 days for West Germany against Czechoslovakia in 1976).
The Arsenal star is also set for his 40th appearance for the Three Lions since he made his debut for his country of birth in their 3-0 defeat of Wales in an international friendly played behind closed doors at the Wembley stadium in October 2020.
He has scored 12 goals for the Three Lions, the second best behind Harry Kane among players who are at the EURO 2024.
Meanwhile, England manager Gareth Southgate could become the first-ever manager to lose multiple European Championship finals if the Three Lions lose on Sunday after making history as the first England men’s head coach in history to lead the Three Lions to more than one major tournament final
For Luis de la Fuente’s Spain, the game offers them an opportunity to break a 40-year goalscoring record after netting their 12th and 12th goals of the tournament in the 2-1 defeat of France in the semifinal.
La Roja are now just one shy of equalling the all-time record for a single edition of the men’s Euros, set by France back in the 1984 tournament, where Les Bleus found the back of the net 14 times en route to the title.
