Spain beat England 2-1 in the final of Euro 2024 to clinch their fourth continental title at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. The victory also marks La Furia Española’s third Euro title in the last five editions, having brought home the trophy in 2008, 2012, and on Sunday. The first time they lifted the title was way back in 1964.
Match Result:
Spain 2-1 England
Goalscorers:
Spain: Nico Williams 47′, Mikel Oyarzabal 86′
England: Cole Palmer 73′
First Half Analysis
With the Euro 2024 trophy up for grabs, both teams played cautiously in the initial minutes, with neither side making a significant impact in the first half. Spain’s initial shot on target came in the 28th minute, a deflected effort from Fabian Ruiz easily saved by Jordan Pickford. Phil Foden nearly opened the scoring, but Unai Simon made a spectacular save in the first minute of extra time. The first half saw little to differentiate the two teams.
Key Moments
- Both teams struggled to finish their plays in the attacking third.
- Fabian Ruiz’s deflected strike was Spain’s sole shot on target in the first half.
- Phil Foden almost netted the first goal for England.
Second Half Highlights
The second half began with a flourish as Nico Williams scored for Spain in the 47th minute with a precise finish in the far corner. Gareth Southgate responded with a double substitution, introducing Watkins and Cole Palmer. Palmer made an immediate impact, equalizing with a superb shot from outside the box in the 73rd minute.
However, Spain regained the lead when Oyarzabal scored the winner in the 86th minute, finishing from close range after a sublime pass from Cucurella. England nearly found an equalizer through Declan Rice’s fine header in the final minute, but Dani Olmo’s brilliant goal-line clearance denied them.
Key Moments 
- Nico Williams scored a remarkable goal to put Spain ahead.
- Cole Palmer equalized with a stunning strike from outside the box.
- Oyarzabal netted the decisive goal, delivering a significant blow to England.
Match-Defining Moments
Cole Palmer’s Brilliant Strike:
After conceding early in the second half, Gareth Southgate’s strategic substitutions brought Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins onto the pitch. Palmer quickly made his mark, scoring the equalizer in the 73rd minute with a fantastic shot from a distance, celebrating his goal with iconic flair, and maintaining his excellent form as a substitute.
Oyarzabal’s Winner:
In the game’s waning moments, Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner in the 86th minute, securing the trophy for Spain. Marc Cucurella’s impressive pass set up Oyarzabal’s close-range finish, sealing Spain’s victory and marking their fourth win in this competition.
Dani Olmo’s Goal-Line Clearance:
Spain survived a late scare in the final minute, thanks to Dani Olmo’s brilliant goal-line clearance, which denied Marc Guehi from scoring the equalizer. The ensuing celebration highlighted the clearance’s importance, with Olmo’s teammates showing their appreciation for his crucial save.
Implications and Future Prospects
Spain celebrates their fourth Euro title, having demonstrated their prowess with a 100 percent win record in the tournament. This victory validates their impressive journey and sets the stage for their preparations for the UEFA Nations League matches in September.
England faces consecutive tournament setbacks, raising questions about Gareth Southgate’s capabilities after two final losses. Despite Southgate’s offensive substitutions injecting energy into the game, they failed to prevent the decisive goal. England’s quest for their first trophy continues as they prepare for UEFA Nations League Group B matches against Ireland and Finland in September.
Conclusion
Spain finally lifted the trophy they had sought since 2012, delivering a sensational second-half performance to secure victory. Their unwavering belief culminated in a winning goal thanks to a magnificent play between Cucurella and Oyarzabal. Dani Olmo’s superb goal-line clearance thwarted England’s valiant attempt to comeback in the final minutes.
