Spain are champions of Europe for a fourth time, and the first since 2012, while England’s long wait for a men’s major trophy stretches to 58 years after a 2-1 loss in Berlin. A tense arm wrestle in the opening 45 minutes flourished into an exciting second half as Nico Williams gave Spain a lead within two minutes of the restart. England had come from a goal down in their three previous knockout games and replacement Cole Palmer drove home an equaliser in the 73rd minute to raise hopes of another come from behind win.
But Mikel Oyarzabal timed his run perfectly behind the defence to slide home the winner in the 86th minute from Marc Cucuralla’s perfect pass from the left. MIKEL OYARZABAL WINS EURO 2024 FOR SPAIN! ???????? It's a dagger for England in the 86th minute that sends Spain to a record FOURTH European championship. Watch ???? https://t.
co/OefQTvQp32 #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/kedueMdOVr England, beaten finalists in the 2021 edition at home, threatened right at the death when Declan Rice had a header parried back into the path of Marc Guehi.
The defender’s goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Dani Olmo. The win was well deserved by Spain who defended with intensity and looked impressive going forward. For England, Jude Bellingham was outstanding and his deft pass set up Palmer’s goal, but they were well beaten across the pitch.
Not even the loss through injury to player of the tournament Rodri in the first half could disrupt the Spanish fluidity and .