Twelve years after their triumph at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev (4-0 against Italy), La Roja are once again at the pinnacle of European football!
Luis de la Fuente’s outstanding team was the best we saw from the start of Euro 2024 in Germany, confirming their dominance against England in the final.
Before the tournament began, betting companies oddly favored the Three Lions as the top contenders, but England never lived up to that expectation. Reaching the final for the second consecutive time was a football anomaly, as was their contention for the trophy until the 86th minute.
However, the gods of football couldn’t allow such an injustice, and Oyarzabal’s late goal granted Spain their fourth title (previously won in 1964, 2008, and 2012).
The Match
The first half of the final fell short of expectations, with Spain dominating most of the time and England defending en masse, leading to just one shot on target (in stoppage time).
From the early minutes, Spain controlled the ball comfortably, but struggled to find the final pass or make a decisive play near England’s penalty area.
In the 11th minute, Nico Williams found space but was denied by an excellent tackle from John Stones. England had their first offensive move in the 15th minute when Bellingham set up Saka, who passed to the swift Walker, though his cross was cleared by defenders.
From then until halftime, Spain had possession but failed to threaten Pickford, while England’s Bellingham stole the ball from his Real Madrid teammate Carvajal, though Kane’s shot was blocked by Pickford.
In the ensuing play, England won a free-kick, and after Rodri’s header, Foden’s shot on the move was saved by Simón, marking the only shot on target before the French referee Letexier sent the teams to the locker rooms.
Spain made a change at halftime due to Rodri’s injury, bringing in Zubimendi. Just 70 seconds into the second half, Spain struck first. Bellingham was caught out of position, and Fabián Ruiz quickly moved the ball forward to Carvajal, who set up Yamal for an assist to Nico Williams, who scored the opening goal.
England, mediocre up to that point, was jolted into action but lacked creativity and struggled to retain possession. Spain, meanwhile, continued to dominate and nearly doubled their lead with chances from Morata and Williams, and a superb save by Pickford on Yamal’s shot.
Spain’s failure to secure a second goal almost cost them as Southgate’s timely substitution paid off. Palmer, introduced in the 70th minute, equalized three minutes later with a fantastic strike from outside the box, following an excellent counterattack he initiated.
Spain quickly regrouped, with England reverting to defense. Despite Pickford’s heroics to save Lamel’s shot, the decisive moment came in the 86th minute. A swift passing move ended with Cucurella crossing to Oyarzabal, who scored from close range.
In the dying moments, England threw everything forward. Simón made a crucial save from Rice’s header, Olmo cleared another header off the line, and Rice’s second attempt went over the bar. As the final whistle blew, Spain celebrated their fourth European Championship title.
