No one is going to argue that England have been anywhere near the best team of Euro 2024. In fact, considering the expectations heading into the tournament, they've been one of the more disappointing sides.
With that being said, they are in the final and only one step away from being crowned European champions.
To do so, they'll have to get by Spain, a side who were tipped to maybe get into the quarterfinals but no further. A side who many will argue has been the best team of the tournament. Simply put, the complete opposite of the narrative surrounding England.
However, anything can happen in a final. England have as much of a chance to beat Spain. Here are three seasons why England will win the final on Sunday.
Ability to overcome a deficit
England haven't scored first in any of their knockout matches.
Yet they managed to come back each and every time.
Against Slovakis, a Jude Bellingham bicycle kick in the final seconds sent the game to extra time where Harry Kane delivered the winner Against Switzerland, Bukayo Saka scored in the 80th minute before England won on penalties. Finally, against the Netherlands, it was Ollie Watkins who scored in the 90th minute.
All of that to say England don't panic when trailing. While the football may not be the best, the point is they get the job done when it matters most. At this point there's a sense on inevitability that they'll find the equalizer that'll then send them on their way.
They may very well find themselves in that situation against Spain. But they'll have had plenty of experience with that in Euro 2024.
Moments of individual brilliance
Aside from the first half against the Netherlands, England have yet to put together a cohesive team performance.
To be fair to them, they haven't needed it as it's been a piece of brilliance or individual skill that's been enough to see them through.
As mentioned, against Slovakia it was Bellingham and against Switzerland it was Saka with the sublime. Sometimes that's enough as England have shown.
It's a bit of a Plan B or "break in case of emergency" scenario that England can turn to when things aren't going well as a collective. They have plenty of players on the pitch who can make something happen out of nothing.
It adds a bit of the unexpected. An opponent can think they have everything under control and then a long-range shot or final ball can swiftly change the scenario. If it does, momentum shifts as it's done with England during the knockout phase.
Bench depth
A lot has been made about Gareth Southgate's use of the bench, or lack thereof.
Still, it doesn't, nor should it, take away from the fact England have an embarrassment of riches and can turn to the bench for solutions.
The likes of Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins and Eberechi Eze, to name a few, can enter a game and make things happen. Compared to what manager Luis de la Fuente has on the Spain bench, it's a clear advantage for England.
Again, a lot of it will come down to whether or not Southgate is able to utilize his bench appropriately. If the game is a close one, which it should be, it could very well go to extra time. Having these types of players to go at tired legs should be a no-brainer should that scenario arise.
While Spain might be the favorite, England, if they can a couple more things right, have as good a chance as anyone to win. No one is acting, or expects a brilliant performance. But England don't need that to win a match. They didn't need it to reach the final and here we are.