Carli Lloyd Knows Big Games. Here’s Why She Thinks Spain Has The Edge Over England In Euro Final

UEFA Euro: Carli Lloyd Knows Big Games – Here’s Why She Thinks Spain Has the Edge Over England in Euro Final

When it comes to playing in high-stakes tournaments and finals, few can match Carli Lloyd. I recently spoke with the U.S. women’s national team legend and FOX Sports analyst about the UEFA 2025 Women’s Euro. We discussed standout players, the ongoing controversy surrounding penalties, and who will emerge as the winner in Sunday’s highly anticipated final.

Which players have stood out or impressed you the most?

Carli Lloyd: The big names are easy to focus on, but I would have to say that Patri Guijarro from Spain is my top choice. She’s been the driving force in the midfield, showcasing brilliance. While attacking players usually take the spotlight, her contributions have been crucial to Spain’s offensive play with her linking abilities and vision. She doesn’t just maintain possession for its own sake; her progressive forward passes have made a significant impact. It’s truly impressive to watch, especially considering her exceptional performance this year with Barcelona.

Alongside players like Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, who are also having stellar tournaments, some other Spanish talents are flying a bit under the radar. where to buy fiba tickets I think [Barcelona forward] Claudia Pina has had an outstanding season, which is evident in her contributions to this tournament. She was a key attacking threat against Switzerland and scored an incredible goal. Her capability to take on defenders and unleash her signature shot makes her a formidable attacker.

I must also highlight [England’s 19-year-old forward] Michelle Agyemang. aims pasay There’s been talk about whether she should start, but I believe she still has some developing to do. Young players often require careful management regarding when to give them that freedom. She has come on as a substitute and has been pivotal, scoring critical goals, with a knack for seizing important moments. The pressure doesn’t seem to overwhelm her, making her a delight to watch.

Penalty kicks have been a hot topic. What has stood out to you?

Carli Lloyd: I found it fascinating when [France manager Laurent Bonadei and Sweden manager Peter Gerhardssen] mentioned they weren’t focused on penalties, given the unpredictability of tournament progress. I don’t think many of us have witnessed a worse penalty shootout than the one between England and Sweden in the quarterfinals. Such occurrences happen even to the best, but I was surprised by the lack of preparation from the Swedish coach. Sweden had experience in dealing with these pressure situations and had performed well in previous tournaments.

During my career, we dedicated a lot of time to preparing for penalties. We created intense environments, with crowd noise and competitive practices, doing penalty shootouts after scrimmages. It’s crucial to prepare mentally, especially when several players are missing penalties, as it can affect others’ psyches. [England right-back] Lucy Bronze remained composed and decisive during her penalty kick; she knew exactly where she wanted to place the ball. It seemed like other players may have been tweaking their approach, which could have contributed to their misses.

What were the biggest penalties that you ever made and missed?

Carli Lloyd: In the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal shootout against Brazil, we all successfully converted our penalties. However, preparing for the final against Japan was a different story. We were uncertain about whether to stick to our same spots or change them, with mind games playing out in our heads. I missed mine, along with Shannon Boxx, and eventually, we lost. That moment taught me the importance of extensive preparation for penalty kicks.

The pressure was heightened in the 2015 World Cup semifinal against Germany, where I converted a penalty that contributed to our win.

What are you looking forward to most about Spain vs. England?

Carli Lloyd: It’s an interesting matchup. England hasn’t played at their best consistently. I wouldn’t call it luck, but things seem to have fallen into place for them so far. Their resilience has been impressive, which I haven’t seen much from them in previous tournaments. It reminds me of the U.S. jili 711 sign up team, which always found ways to win, regardless of performance levels.

On the other hand, Spain has been playing beautiful football. Even though Switzerland and Germany posed challenges with their defensive strategies, Spain’s moments of brilliance set them apart. It will be tactically intriguing to see how England adapts volaclub sabong. Will they choose a compact approach like Switzerland and Germany did to disrupt Spain’s game? Spain has evolved since 2019 and can win in various ways, whether through ball possession or direct play. As a fan, I hope for an entertaining match filled with incredible talent on the field.

What’s your Euros final prediction?

Carli Lloyd: This prediction is tricky. Spain has been the clear frontrunner throughout the tournament, and I’ve maintained that belief. However, we’ve witnessed unexpected performances, like Germany battling through adversity in their quarterfinal match against France. It can be unpredictable.

Ultimately, I believe Spain will take the win, considering their history and how they’ve navigated through challenges in this tournament. England appears a bit fatigued and may be struggling with injuries. This gives Spain a slight advantage.

Are Spain and England the two strongest teams in the world? How would a full-strength USWNT team stack up?

Carli Lloyd: I truly believe that the two best teams in the tournament are facing off in the final. While it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve played the best football throughout, their performances and strategies point to their strengths. Manager Sarina Wiegman has effectively utilized her bench players, and England has impressed me with their ability to secure wins.

As for Spain, there’s no doubt they’re playing above everyone else skill-wise. bigman resort The U.S. team won the last Olympics, and Emma Hayes has made remarkable strides with this group. However, they’ve yet to face Europe’s strongest teams, which would make for an exciting matchup. Currently, I think they rank third or fourth globally, just behind Spain and England. But only time will tell how that will develop.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming Euro final?