Spain emerged victorious in the Euro 2024 final, winning a record-breaking fourth European Championship title with a thrilling 2-1 win against England at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. The match, held on Sunday, was marked by an intense second half that saw Spain claim victory through a late goal by Mikel Oyarzabal.
Nico Williams, one of Spain’s standout performers, broke the deadlock shortly after halftime. The 22-year-old expertly finished in the bottom corner from a precise pass by Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old prodigy who has been a revelation throughout the tournament. Williams’ goal made him the second youngest player to score in a Euro final, a testament to his rising star status.
England responded midway through the second half with a stunning left-footed strike from Cole Palmer, who had been substituted in just minutes earlier. Palmer’s goal, set up by Jude Bellingham, brought England level and reignited their hopes of lifting the trophy.
However, with just under five minutes remaining in regulation time, Spain reclaimed the lead. Marc Cucurella delivered an inch-perfect cross that Oyarzabal tapped home, sealing a dramatic victory for La Roja. This triumph adds to Spain’s previous Euro titles in 1964, 2008, and 2012.
The final began cautiously, with both teams testing each other’s defenses. Spain dominated possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half. England had the best opportunity before the break when Phil Foden’s close-range shot was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón.
Spain suffered a setback at halftime when Manchester City midfielder Rodri was forced off due to injury, replaced by Martín Zubimendi. Despite this, Spain maintained their composure, with Williams scoring just two minutes into the second half.
Following Williams’ goal, Spain intensified their efforts. Dani Olmo came close to doubling the lead, but his shot missed the target. England, on the other hand, made a bold tactical change, substituting captain Harry Kane for Ollie Watkins, which injected new energy into their attack.
As the match progressed, both teams created several scoring opportunities. Spain’s young star Yamal had a chance to score but was denied by England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. England eventually equalized through Palmer, whose beautifully placed shot from outside the box brought the game to 1-1.
Spain continued to press for a winner, and their persistence paid off when Oyarzabal scored the decisive goal.
England’s late efforts to find another equalizer were thwarted by a resilient Spanish defense, including a crucial clearance off the line by Dani Olmo in what was possibly the play of the game.
The victory was a proof to Spain’s consistency and teamwork throughout the tournament. Rodri was named the Euro 2024 player of the tournament, while Yamal received the young player of the tournament award. Yamal, who celebrated his 17th birthday just before the final, was instrumental in Spain’s success, providing four assists and scoring a memorable goal in the semifinal against France.
For England, the defeat marked a second consecutive heartbreak in the European Championship finals, following their loss to Italy in 2020. Despite the setback, King Charles III praised the team’s efforts, encouraging them to hold their heads high and look forward to future triumphs.
Looking ahead, Spain will have another opportunity to assert their dominance on the global stage when they face Argentina, the Copa America winners, in the Finalissima in 2025. This highly anticipated match will pit the champions of Europe against the champions of the Americas, in a clash of giants to determine who truly is the best team in the world.
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