Spain’s men sealed their fourth European Championship title after Mikel Oyarzabal’s late strike earned his side a narrow 2-1 win over England in Berlin on Sunday night.
After a cagey opening 45 minutes, Luis de la Fuente’s side took the lead seconds after the restart when standout teenager Lamine Yamal played in winger Nico Williams, who steered the ball past Jordan Pickford.
It was a fourth successive knockout match in Euro 2024 when England fell behind but substitute Cole Palmer drew his side level on 73 minutes to the delight of a packed Olympic Stadium.
However, with just four minutes left in the match Mikel Oyarzabal stretched to meet Marc Cucurella’s low cross into the box to the delight of the Spanish players and fans.
“I did my job and what I had to and was lucky enough to score the goal for the win. When you are among the 26 names to be picked, that is special enough, but then to get to help the team like I did, that is the most important part,” substitute Oyarzabal said after the game.
Stylish Spain claim third Euro win in five tries
It almost felt fated that Spain would be crowned champions, given that Spanish sides both at an international level and at a domestic club level have won all of the last 22 major finals they participated in.
While Spain had been the toast of Euro 2024, with their free flowing, attacking football making them a joy to watch, England’s dour and defensive play had also drawn attention at home and abroad.
Yet, both teams looked nervy and unable to make inroads in the opening exchanges of the match, with poor decision making on the ball and a lack of precision in the final pass the hallmark of the first half.
Although Spain lost their defensive stalwart Rodri, who was named player of the tournament, at half time to injury, Spain came sprinting out of the blocks at the resumption of play.
Teenager Yamal was released on the right, before cutting in the box and sliding a pinpoint cross to pick up his fourth assist of the competition as Williams kept his head to cooly slot past Pickford.
But it was left to an unlikely hero in substitute Oyarzabal to seal Spain’s men’s first major title since 2012, and their third European Championship in the last five, surpassing Germany’s tally of three titles.
“I couldn’t be more happy. Today has been a wonderful day, a team has deservedly been crowned European champion. Today I’m even more proud and I hope this momentum can bring even better days,” Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente said after the game.
More to follow…
Edited by: Mark Hallam
