Spain has won the European Championship for the fourth time, setting a new record. They beat England 2-1 after a dramatic second half in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday.
Nico Williams, one of Spain's standout players in the tournament, took a perfectly weighted pass from another rising star on the team, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, and smashed it into the bottom corner to give La Roja the lead just minutes into the second half.
England equalized midway through the second half with a stunning left-footed shot from outside the penalty area by Cole Palmer at the Olympic Stadium in the German capital. But just under five minutes from the end of regular time, Mikel Oyarzabal buried a perfect pass just inches from Marc Cucurella to give Spain the lead, capping off a win and a fantastic tournament for La Roja.
For Spain, this is already their fourth European Championship title, having previously won in 1964, 2008 and 2012. But for England, it is a bitter setback for the second year in a row after losing the European Championship title in a penalty shootout against Italy at Euro 2020.
The match began in a tense atmosphere befitting a grand finale. The players had overcome pre-match tension and both teams were feeling each other out. As expected, Spain had the majority of the ball in the first 30 minutes, but failed to create any clear-cut chances.
While La Roja were keen to create chances, England took the lead with their first shot just before half-time, when Phil Foden scored from close range, but the shot hit Unai Simon in the Spanish goal.
Spain suffered a major blow at half-time when one of their key players, Manchester City midfielder Rodri, was forced off with an injury. He was replaced by Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
But the Iberians did not seem shaken by the loss of their star midfielder, and as expected, Williams completed a long move to give La Roja the lead two minutes after the break. At 22 years and two days old, Williams became the second youngest player to score in a European Championship final.
A minute later, Dani Olmo came close to extending the lead and it looked like the goal would give Spain the momentum they needed, but his shot went wide of the post.
England were put in a difficult position by Williams' goal. First, captain Álvaro Morata's deft chip was saved by John Stones, but then the Athletic Bilbao man's shot for his second of the game went just wide.
As the Three Lions tried to get back into the game, manager Gareth Southgate made the bold decision to take captain and goalscorer Harry Kane off the field and replace him with Ollie Watkins, who had just scored the winning goal in the dying seconds of the semi-final against the Netherlands, securing a place in the final.
The substitution seemed to spur the English, who played with more vigour and speed. Jude Bellingham shot wide of the post and the English fans were on their feet for the first time in a long time.
But just as England were starting to get going, Spain came close to scoring a second through Yamal, who on Sunday night became the youngest player to play in a European or World Cup final, but Jordan Pickford used a strong hand to deny the Barcelona boy.
England finally scored a goal - and it was the work of one of Southgate's substitutes. Chelsea midfielder Palmer, who had come on just a few minutes earlier for 19-year-old Kobe Mainu, grabbed a fine assist from Bellingham and fired a shot just wide into the bottom corner to tie the score.
Spain got back into the game and almost took the lead with 10 minutes remaining when a complex build-up put Yamal one-on-one with Pickford, but the 17-year-old's shot was saved by the England goalkeeper.
With time running out and extra time looming, Spain were again in a flowing move and finally scored a well-deserved goal late on, when Cucurella fed Oyarzabal with a charming cross, who slotted the ball into the goal, sparking wild celebrations.
England have become known for their last-minute heroics at Euro 2024 and they needed another moment of magic to have any hope of getting back into the match.
As the clock struck 90 minutes, Declan Rice headed a corner kick towards goal, but it was deflected by Simão and Guehi's shot was cleared on the line by RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo. The Spanish defence thwarted the English attack.
The Three Lions tried their best to send the game into extra time, but after another four minutes, referee François Letexier blew the whistle to end the match, and the Spanish players threw themselves to the ground before being faced with a sea of players and fans dressed in red, some of whom were dressed in yellow, who joined in celebrating in the stadium.
Before the trophy was awarded, Rodri was named Euro 2024's Player of the Tournament and Yamal was named the youngest player of the tournament.
King Charles III posted a message of support for England's players on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Although victory may have eluded you this evening, nevertheless my wife and I join all my family in urging you and your support team to hold your heads high. All those who have participated in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly despairing such a result can feel when the prize was so near – and will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain.
“But please know that your success in reaching the European Championship final is a really great achievement in itself, and one that brings with it the pride of a nation which will continue to roar for the Three Lions today – and in the many triumphs which I have no doubt lie ahead.”
