Spain dazzled in their thrilling run to the Euro 2024 final, but only one of Germany’s 13 goals came from striker and captain Alvaro Morata, who continues to be a lightning rod for criticism. On the other hand, England struggled on the way to Berlin despite facing weaker opposition, but still believe they can turn the odds around on Sunday, especially if Morata’s drought continues. The Atletico Madrid striker’s wasteful finishing has come under scrutiny in his home country after scoring just four goals in 30 appearances for club and country, and his attitude has also been harshly judged.
While explosive wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams thrived in Germany, Morata underperformed despite a strong start against Croatia in Spain’s opening match.
The 31-year-old got the ball rolling for La Roja, finishing clinically to score his country’s first goal of the tournament.
Morata’s goal made him Spain’s fourth-highest international goalscorer of all time with 36 goals, but he has not scored in five games since then.
His high work rate is undeniable and his intelligent movement is a boon to his teammates, but his lack of goals is a concern for Spain.
If Spain are crowned champions at Berlin’s Olympiastadion for a record fourth time, Morata will be able to proclaim he has played his part in a system that has been by far the tournament’s most dangerous.
But his lack of goals will be the first point of contact for Spanish critics if England win.
Morata said earlier this week that Euro 2024 will probably be his last tournament with the national team because he feels he was unfairly attacked.
“In Spain there is no respect for anyone or anything,” complained Morata in an interview with El Mundo before the semi-final victory over France.
Some Spanish media outlets criticized Morata for his comments, with El Confidencial publishing an article titled “Morata, a captain who embarrasses Spain and not just because of his poor Euro form”, calling him a “crybaby”.
Morata’s wife, Alice Campello, reacted on social media in his defense, while coach Luis de la Fuente supported him saying that for the Spanish he was an atypical leader.
“In Spain we have difficulty recognizing the good things we have, Morata is a clear example, he has the numbers of a star,” said De la Fuente.
“He would be a legend in another country, but in ours it’s difficult… I’m 100 percent with him.”
Morata played for a number of top clubs, including Real Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus, but never found a place he could call home for long and could leave Atletico this summer.
The striker said living in London was “stressful” and remained in the Premier League for just two seasons before returning to his homeland on loan.
Morata admitted he was on the verge of tears at the end of each of Spain’s Euros matches.
“It’s pure emotion, it’s as if (I were) a fan in the stands,” Morata told UEFA.
“When they submit to me, it’s as if I were one of the players’ parents watching from the stands…
“That’s my personality, there’s no shame in crying about positive things – and I hope I have a lot more reasons to cry on Sunday.”
Even though some La Roja fans mocked him during the March friendlies and the Spanish media were critical, his teammates are delighted to have him leading the way.
“Álvaro deserves the best, for the person he is, as a teammate, as a player and for being captain of this team,” said Dani Olmo on Friday.
The star shares the lead in the Euro scorer table with three goals, but highlighted that Morata can still finish as top scorer.
“Álvaro has one, if he scores a hat-trick, he will accept it,” said Olmo optimistically.
Often seen as bad luck, misfortune almost struck Morata after Spain’s victory over France on Tuesday.
During the celebrations, one of the team’s security guards slipped and hit the attacker, who appeared injured.
“Yellow card and that’s it,” Morata joked the next day, ready to face England, hoping to silence his critics with the first major international trophy of his career.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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