Spain clinched their fourth European Championship title as substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final.
England had been dreaming of winning a first title in almost six decades, but Spain confirmed their re-emergence as a force on the international stage with this hard-fought win at the Olympiastadion.
Despite losing influential midfielder Rodri to injury at half-time, Spain took the lead just two minutes into the second half. Nico Williams scored, set up by fellow star winger Lamine Yamal. England, showing resilience as they had throughout the tournament, equalized in the 73rd minute through substitute Cole Palmer.
However, Oyarzabal turned in a cross from Marc Cucurella in the 86th minute to hand Spain their record fourth European Championship crown, and their third in the last five editions.
“It has been a marvelous day in which a team has been deservedly crowned champions of Europe,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told broadcaster TVE.
Spain’s previous titles came in 1964, 2008, and 2012, the last two during the golden era of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, and Andres Iniesta. Whether this new generation, led by the brilliant Yamal, who played a day after his 17th birthday, can repeat those achievements remains to be seen.
Spain was the best team over the last month in Germany and was not intimidated by the atmosphere at the Olympiastadion, where the majority of the crowd supported England.
England hoped to finally claim a first men’s international title since their fabled victory at the 1966 World Cup but fell just short in their first-ever final on foreign soil.
“To lose the final is incredibly tough,” said England manager Gareth Southgate. “Congratulations to Spain, they were the best team in the tournament and the best team tonight.”
After the agony of their defeat on penalties to Italy three years ago, England became the first side ever to lose back-to-back Euros finals. Captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, is left at the age of 30 still looking for the first trophy of a career so rich in goals.
Spain Overcome Rodri Injury
Spain controlled the game, with England spending most of the first half chasing the ball. Despite Spain’s domination, it took until first-half stoppage time for either team to manage a shot on target, with Phil Foden’s effort from a Declan Rice free-kick being saved by goalkeeper Unai Simon.
However, just before that chance, Rodri hurt himself, sliding into teammate Aymeric Laporte as he blocked a Kane shot. Spain’s outstanding holding midfielder was unable to continue and made way for Martin Zubimendi at the restart.
It felt like losing such a presence in the middle could completely throw Spain off course, but they wasted no time in opening the scoring. England was braced for the danger to come from Spain’s two wingers, and it was they who combined for the goal. Yamal collected Dani Carvajal’s pass and darted inside, releasing Williams, who scored with a controlled, low shot into the far corner.
England now needed to come from behind, but that was what they had done in their three previous knockout games. Southgate took off his talisman Kane on the hour mark and sent on Ollie Watkins, a repeat of the substitution that won the semi-final against the Netherlands.
Spain had chances to increase their lead, and their fans began to greet every pass with an ‘ole.’ Southgate decided to send on Palmer for Kobbie Mainoo. Within three minutes, England was level when Bukayo Saka’s ball from the right was laid off by Jude Bellingham for Palmer, who found the net with a low first-time effort into the corner.
However, Spain grabbed the winner with four minutes to go thanks to their own super-sub. Oyarzabal played the ball to Marc Cucurella on the left before racing into the middle to turn his teammate’s cross into the net, staying just onside in the process. Spain then held on, although only after a vital clearance off the line from Dani Olmo to deny Marc Guehi.