HERE we go again then. When England lost to Italy in the final of Euro 2020, suffering penalty heartbreak under the Wembley arch, it was feared the chance to make footballing history would not return for quite some time. After all, prior to Gareth Southgate’s appointment as manager, England had hardly been regulars in the knockout rounds of major tournaments, let alone the final.

Yet three years on from that Wembley disappointment, and Southgate’s side are back on the grandest of stages. Can they go one step further this time around and win the European Championships for the first time?

Their passage to today's final has been far from smooth, and there have been times over the last month when England have unquestionably underwhelmed. The opening three games were a slog, with Southgate being pelted with plastic cups by unhappy supporters despite his team topping their group.

Slowly but surely, though, England have improved, delivering a string of unforgettable moments along the way. Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick against Slovakia. The five perfect penalties that beat Switzerland. Ollie Watkins’ dramatic last-gasp winner in the semi-final against Netherlands. In years to come, all three will feature on highlights reels of England’s greatest memories from major tournaments.

The performance level in the first half of the semi-final, in particular, was a marked improvement on anything that had gone before, raising hopes that England might just be peaking at the right time.

The continued success of Southgate’s side is about more than individual displays though. During his time in charge of the national team, the England boss has fostered a powerful sense of spirit and unity that has helped drive the side forward in Germany. Everyone has bought into the dream of winning a trophy. Each and every member of the squad, whether regular starters or not, feels valued. This is a team that has become accustomed to winning, and therefore that does not know when it is beat. This evening, that could prove crucial.

Spain stand in England’s way, and will be most neutrals’ choice of preferred winner given that they have undoubtedly been the best team in the tournament to this point. From Rodri’s metronomic passing to Fabian Ruiz’s creative vision, and on to Dani Olmo’s incisive breaks into the 18-yard box, Spain have excelled.

Then, of course, there is Lamine Yamal, the teenage prodigy who turned 17 yesterday and who has been the star of the Spanish show. Yamal’s long-range goal in the semi-final win over France felt like a seminal moment, a coming-of-age for a teenager still combining his footballing exploits with completing his homework. If England are going to win tonight, they are going to have to do something that none of Spain’s opponents have managed so far and successfully shackle both Yamal and his fellow flying winger, Nico Williams.

The hope is that this evening's final provides a thrilling conclusion to a tournament that has generally been a huge success. On the pitch, while the overall excitement levels have dropped during the knockout rounds after a series of exhilarating group matches, there have still been plenty of highlights. Georgia’s unbridled joy at reaching the knockout stages in their first major tournament. Turkey’s chaotic all-out attack. Germany’s dismantling of Scotland on the opening night and dramatic extra-time exit at the hands of Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo’s histrionics, when the remaining 21 players on the pitch felt like extras in a one-man show that was unravelling in front of our eyes.

Off the pitch, Euro 2024 has provided a welcome reminder of just how magical a major tournament held in a football-mad nation can be. The last Euros were haphazard, scattered around the continent and staged in front of limited attendances because of the ongoing effects of Covid. The last World Cup in Qatar was both joyless and soulless, played in the searing heat of the desert to customers instead of fans.

Germany has been different. Yes, the trains haven’t always run on time and the sun has rarely shone. But the sight of hundreds of thousands of fans from a host of different nations packing out bars, restaurants and city squares has been hugely uplifting. Almost without exception, the behaviour of England supporters has been exemplary, and the Football Association deserves considerable credit for the way in which it has successfully transformed both the make-up and attitude of England’s travelling support. Germany has put on a party, and we have been welcome guests.

Personal highlights from my time in Germany would include the collective euphoria that accompanied the hosts’ win over Scotland, which I watched in a packed Essen bar, getting soaked to the skin in Dortmund while watching an Arda Guler-inspired Turkey dismantle Georgia, while being roared on by a crowd as raucous as I can remember, and the collective mania of the fan park in Frankfurt, with giant screens floating on barges on the Rhein. Oh, and Bellingham’s goal. And the penalties. And Watkins.

All of which brings us to Berlin, and tonight’s finale. A prediction? England to step it up and win. Possibly in extra-time. Probably on penalties. Harry Kane to lift the cup, Southgate to celebrate with his dad dancing in front of the fans. A nation back at home going berserk in fan parks, pubs and millions of front rooms.

Fifty-eight years of hurt? It’s never stopped us dreaming. Maybe, just maybe, football really is coming home.