It was a record 4th UEFA Euro title for Spain as goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal was enough to see off England 2-1 in the final match of the UEFA Euro 2024 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany on Sunday.
Spain came into the match having not lost any match so far in the tournament while England were looking to avoid back-to-back Euro finals defeat.
Considering both coaches prophesized “fine margins” deciding this occasion, it was perhaps little surprise that this was a cat-and-mouse first half. Gareth Southgate and Luis de la Fuente shuffled their pieces from time to time, but it was 45 minutes of half-breaks and half-chances.
There was a different feeling in the air after the restart and, sure enough, Spain were in front just two minutes in. Dani Carvajal’s round-the-corner pass should not be overlooked, but it was Lamine Yamal who provided the dynamic run and pass to tee up Nico Williams for an emphatic, precise, first-time finish.
The momentum had swung firmly one team’s way for the first time. Dani Olmo had time to turn and shoot in the penalty area – a luxury afforded to no one in the opening period – but was off target. Álvaro Morata and Williams likewise soon after, but not Yamal midway through the second half – this time only Jordan Pickford’s excellent fingertip save prevented it becoming 2-0.
But if there’s one thing that has characterised this England side’s run to Berlin it’s resilience and, just minutes later, they were level. Bukayo Saka contributed the width, Jude Bellingham the neat lay-off and Cole Palmer – three minutes after coming on – the unerring, bottom-corner-seeking finish. Yamal tried likewise with eight minutes left, but Pickford was again up to the task.
However, the England keeper could do nothing to deny Oyarzabal with four minutes remaining, the Real Sociedad forward poking in Marc Cucurella’s cross to send his team – and country – into raptures.
There was still nearly time for yet another England comeback, but Unai Simón saved Declan Rice’s header and Dani Olmo cleared Marc Guéhi’s off the line. Spain had done it for a record-breaking fourth time; for England, the wait goes on.
Additional Report from UEFA