Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored a dramatic late winner as Spain triumphed in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, beating England 2-1 to confirm their re-emergence as a force on the international stage and end their opponents’ dreams of winning a first title in almost six decades. Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad forward, turned in a cross in the 86th minute to hand Spain a record fourth European Championship crown — and a third in the last five editions. The 27-year-old played the ball out to Marc Cucurella on the left before racing into the middle to turn his teammate’s low cross into the net, staying just onside in the process.
“It’s a very, very close off-side call,” Sky Sports’ Pete Gill said. “Is Stones’ knee playing him onside?” Despite some initial conjecture over whether Oyarzabal’s goal was legitimate, the automated VAR later showed Stones’ knee kept the Spaniard onside — albeit by inches. “Euphoric, very happy,” Oyarzabal said after the match.
“All our people deserve it. The family, the fans. “European champions and now we’re going for the World Cup (in 2026).
“I did my job, what I had to do at every moment. I was lucky enough to score the winner. You value it a lot.
And if you’re lucky enough to score the goal. “It’s the best.” Spain becomes the first team to win the Euro title for a fourth time — 2024 now joins 1964, 2008 and 2012 as a special year for Spanish football.
“The best team won tonight and the best team in the tou.