Spain beat England to secure historic crown at Euro 2024: Spain secured a record fourth European Championship crown after a late goal from substitute Mikel Oyarzabal earned them a 2-1 win over England in Berlin on Sunday.
Two of the stars of the tournament combined to give Spain the lead just after half-time when teenager Lamine Yamal supplied the pass to Nico Williams who finished in style.
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Dani Olmo and Lamal both went close to doubling Spain’s advantage before England levelled against the run of play, when Jude Bellingham laid the ball off to substitute Cole Palmer on the edge of the penalty area and the Chelsea player produced a beautiful low finish into the bottom corner.
With the game seemingly heading for extra time, Spain grabbed the winner with four minutes to go when left-back Marc Cucurella sent over a superb cross that Oyarzabal prodded home, narrowly avoiding an offside call.
The win meant Spain moved ahead of Germany with both countries having sealed three titles going into the match. The tournament also saw Luis de la Fuente’s side win all seven of their matches in the tournament – also a record.
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For Gareth Southgate‘s England, the agonising wait for a second major tournament victory goes on after losing their second European Championship final in succession.
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“It’s hard to put into words how we’re all feeling right now,” said captain Harry Kane, who was taken off with half an hour left in the match.
“Tough game. We did well to get back into the game and struggled to build on that. To concede late on is really tough to take.
“We’ve been coming from behind all tournament, we’ve got it in the locker. We didn’t take the next step and win it.
The win meant Spain moved ahead of Germany with both countries having sealed three titles going into the match. The tournament also saw Luis de la Fuente’s side win all seven of their matches in the tournament – also a record.
For Gareth Southgate‘s England, the agonising wait for a second major tournament victory goes on after losing their second European Championship final in succession.
“It’s hard to put into words how we’re all feeling right now,” said captain Harry Kane, who was taken off with half an hour left in the match.
“Tough game. We did well to get back into the game and struggled to build on that. To concede late on is really tough to take.
“We’ve been coming from behind all tournament, we’ve got it in the locker. We didn’t take the next step and win it.
“In the first half, we struggled. We couldn’t keep the ball. Second half was better and we got the goal. We got caught with a cross and that’s the final.
“It’s an opportunity missed. These finals aren’t easy to get to. You have to take it when it comes and we haven’t done it again. It’s extremely painful and it’ll hurt for a long time.”
After a cagey opening 45 minutes of few chances, the game exploded into life just after half-time when Spain took the lead at the Olympiastadion, despite having lost the services of key midfielder Rodri to injury during the break.
A ball from right-back Dani Carvajal found Yamal, the teenager then cut inside in what has become a familiar sight in Germany before rolling the ball to teammate and close friend Williams, who steered the ball past Jordan Pickford.
It was Yamal’s fourth assist of a wonderful tournament for the Barcelona winger, who turned 17 on Saturday, supplying Williams, who had celebrated his 22nd birthday 24 hours earlier.
It was almost 2-0 minutes later with England’s defence now being torn apart with Dani Olmo missing the opportunity of taking over as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals by shooting wide.
England keeper Pickford was then needed to deny Yamal a goal not long after the disappointing Kane had been hooked by Southgate in favour of semi-final hero Ollie Watkins.
But it was to be another England substitute who would drag his team back into the match when Palmer levelled with a finish from about 22 yards out – low and hard beyond Simon after being teed-up by Bellingham.
Spain, though, were not to be denied and deservedly grabbed the winner when Cucurella – who has enjoyed a super finals at left-back – sent a low cross into the middle for Oyarzabal to score.
There was still time for England to nearly score again only for Simon to save Declan Rice’s header then Olmo to clear a Marc Guehi header off the line from the same corner.
“We’ve competed until the very end of the final,” said Southgate after what could well be his final match after eight years in charge.
“Spain were the best team in the tournament. We didn’t keep the ball well enough. We were in it until the last 10 minutes. I’m devastated for everyone. We have just fallen a little short.
“We had a little bit of momentum in the game at that point [when Palmer equalised]. There’s a big chance at the end to equalise too but across the 90 minutes, I’m not sure we did enough.
“Spain press well and you have to keep the ball when you win it back. In the end, that’s the bit that takes more out of your legs.
“I think the players will take enormous credit for getting us to where we did but when you’re as close as that, you have to take your chances. They have represented the shirt with pride and haven’t been beaten until the very end. I just think tonight Spain had more control of the game.”
Spain, meanwhile, were left to bask in the glory of a first Euro title for 12 years.
“We are so happy. We deserved this,” said player-of-the-match Williams. “This is for our fans and our parents, who have supported us throughout.”
“This is the best [birthday] gift I could have asked for,” added Yamal. “It is a dream come true.”
