In a thrilling Euro 2024 final on Sunday, Spain emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over England, securing a record fourth European championship. Mikel Oyarzabal, brought on as a substitute, delivered the decisive goal just four minutes from the end, breaking English hearts and ensuring Spain’s triumph in an intense encounter at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
The match began cautiously, with both teams testing the waters and maintaining a strategic balance. Spain dominated possession during the first half, yet England’s defense stood resolute, conceding only one shot on target. The first half ended with a goalless scoreline, but the stalemate was quickly broken after the restart.
Only two minutes into the second half, Spain’s young prodigy, Lamine Yamal, displayed his brilliance. Exploiting space on the right wing, Yamal delivered a precise cross to fellow winger Nico Williams, who deftly slotted the ball home. This put Spain ahead and marked the fourth consecutive match where England found themselves trailing.
Buoyed by the goal, Spain entered a dominant phase, launching a series of aggressive attacks that threatened to dismantle England’s defensive structure. England manager Gareth Southgate responded by making strategic substitutions, replacing an ineffective Harry Kane with Ollie Watkins, the semifinal hero, and bringing on Cole Palmer, whose creativity had been pivotal in previous matches.
These changes revitalized the English side, leading to an equalizer in the 73rd minute. Jude Bellingham, showcasing his vision, set up Palmer with a well-placed pass. Palmer curled a precise low shot from 20 meters, sending the ball past Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon and igniting celebrations among the England supporters who vastly outnumbered their Spanish counterparts.
The atmosphere in the stadium shifted dramatically as England fans sensed a potential comeback. However, Spain remained composed and continued to seek opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the 86th minute when Oyarzabal, who had been introduced in the 68th minute, combined with Marc Cucurella on a swift counter-attack. Oyarzabal’s clinical finish from Cucurella’s pass sealed the victory for Spain.
The final moments of the match were laden with drama. England pushed desperately for an equalizer, and their efforts almost bore fruit. A corner kick led to a powerful header from Declan Rice, which was superbly parried by Unai Simon. The rebound fell to Marc Guehi, whose shot was heroically blocked on the line by Dani Olmo, preserving Spain’s lead.
As the final whistle blew, Spain celebrated a hard-fought victory, having won all seven matches in the tournament. The win not only stamped Spain’s dominance in European football but also highlighted the tactical acumen of their squad and the depth of talent that contributed to their success.
England, on the other hand, faced heartbreak in their second successive final defeat, leaving fans and players to ponder what might have been. Despite the disappointment, England’s journey to the final showed their resilience and growth, setting the stage for future successes.
