Declan Rice confronts England teammate Jordan Pickford during Euro 2024 final

Declan Rice clashed with Jordan Pickford after the England goalkeeper invited pressure from Spain in the opening stages of the Euro 2024 final.

The Three Lions faced a difficult prospect against Spain in the soccer final in Berlin - and they started slowly. With Spain pressing high up the pitch, England decided they were going to take them on that their own game, a tactic which came with danger.

Pickford has been told by Gareth Southgate to play out from the back, so tried to throw the ball out quickly to Phil Foden. However, Foden had it stolen from him by Fabian Ruiz and the Spain midfielder released Lamine Yamal on the wing, forcing Marc Guehi to block the ball behind for a corner.

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That pattern of play sparked remonstrations in the England camp, with Rice confronting his goalkeeper. The Arsenal midfielder was seen telling Pickford to "calm down", with the Everton keeper a bit frenetic.

Pickford argued his case, seeming to suggest it was Foden who was at fault for losing the ball, rather than him. Rice ended up walking away from the heated discussion and, in general, England defender stoutly in the first half.

England created little at the other end, though, with a Kyle Walker cross on the overlap and a late Foden effort from a free-kick the extent of their attacking attempts.

Although Harry Kane wears the captain's armband for England, Rice is one of the leadership team, alongside Kyle Walker and Jude Bellingham. He is extremely vocal on the pitch - and spoke about what England must do to win before the match.

"Compared to last time in terms of how to control the game, we know now what we have to do, not to sit back like we did in previous tournaments and when Italy came onto us," he said. "We know how we can win this final. It is a game we believe we can win. There is one more in our legs."

He added: "The improvement from the last Euros on the back five is that we’re keeping the ball much better. You have players at club level that are used to taking the ball under pressure and playing in pockets, HK dropping deep suits us. It is suiting us.

"I don’t know what the manager will do for the final, whether he sticks with the five or goes with the four. Obviously we look really strong with the five."