EURO 2024 ; Spain sink England to be crowned champions of Europe

Euro 2024, 

Sunday, 14 July, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Spain overcame England 2-1 to clinch their fourth Euro at the 2024 Final at Olympiastadion in Berlin Sunday night. 

The victory made La Roja the most successful side in European Championship history, lifting the trophy for the fourth time adding to their 1964, 2008 and 2012 collection. 

Spain found themselves on the back foot before play had even restarted for the second half, as metronomic midfielder Rodri was forced off.

Undeterred by the setback, La Roja flew out of the traps and within 70 seconds of kick-off, they broke the deadlock. Yamal finally got a yard of space from Shaw and used it to feed Williams, who finished with aplomb at the back post by sliding into the bottom corner beyond Jordan Pickford.

Dani Olmo and Alvaro Morata nearly doubled the lead though both failed to hit the target from promising positions.

Yamal went even closer just beyond the hour when cutting onto his favoured left foot, but Pickford made a pivotal save to keep his country in the game.

The England goalkeeper’s contribution paid huge dividends when Cole Palmer - less than three minutes after coming off the bench - stroked a glorious equaliser into the bottom corner from the edge of the area after running on to an inviting Jude Bellingham lay-off.

After another fine Pickford save to deny Yamal, the resurgent Spaniards re-established their lead. This time, it was a Luis de la Fuente masterstroke to make the difference as Mikel Oyarzabal slid home from close range after being found by Marc Cucurella’s pinpoint cross.

That would prove the fatal blow, as Spain’s rearguard expertly denied a trio of headed chances from John Stones, Marc Guehi and Declan Rice to seal a fourth European crown. Remarkably, La Roja have now won five of their six major finals, a record England could only dream of as they taste defeat in a second consecutive Euros final.

Spain are also crowned champions, having won all seven games they played in the tournament.

For England, the "30 years of hurt" after their 1966 World Cup success, which was sung about at Euro 1996, will now run to at least double that number as they became the first team to lose successive Euro finals

"Losing in a final is as tough as it gets," said captain Kane.

17-year old Lamine Yamal was Crowned the young player of the tournament as Rodri was named player of the tournament, Dani Olmo won the Golden boot with 3 goals and 2 Assists.