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Cole Palmer says England can “finish the job” and change their lives forever by beating Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
Palmer came off the bench to provide the assist for fellow substitute Ollie Watkins’ last-minute winner in Dortmund.
England’s men have never won the European Championship and their only major tournament triumph came in their home World Cup in 1966.
“Everyone’s buzzing,” Chelsea midfielder Palmer told the England YouTube channel. “Last night on the bus, tunes were on, [in the] changing room, everyone was just enjoying it.
“But obviously it’s a short turnaround and it’s a massive, massive game to change our lives, our family’s lives, and to make everyone proud. That’s what we’re trying to do.
“I think if you’ve got to this final then you have to hopefully finish the job. It’s all good getting to the final, and you’ve got to enjoy it because you don’t get many moments to enjoy. But, no, everyone just wants to win so bad.”
Gareth Southgate’s side have shaken off a slow start to the tournament to reach a second Euros final in as many attempts.
England lost on penalties to Italy at Wembley three years ago but 22-year-old Palmer, who is playing in his first senior tournament, is looking to emulate the Under-21s, who beat Spain in last July’s final to win their age-group European Championship.
“In the first few games, we didn’t play the best that we could and everyone knew that,” added Palmer.
“But now I think as the tournament’s gone on, especially yesterday, I think we had our best game in the tournament, and that’s what you want going into the later stages.
“It’s huge. We played them last year in the Under-21s final, England versus Spain. Even that was a massive game, so I can’t imagine this one.”
Southgate has used Palmer as a substitute in all four of his appearances in Germany this summer, but the Chelsea midfielder has praised the manager for the environment he has created.
“I just think the togetherness that all the players have, he’s created that,” he added.
“It’s our first tournament and we can see how close the lads are and stuff like that. The amount of time he puts into the lads to make us better and for the matches.”