Spain are European champions for the fourth time, making them the sole record holders. The Iberians beat England 2:1 in the final in Berlin.
14.07.2024, 23:15
14.07.2024, 23:56
SDA
It is a relatively unspectacular attack that lifts the Spanish national team back onto Europe's throne. It was the 86th minute when the ball came to Marc Cucurella on the left. The defender, who has been consistently booed by opposing fans since his dubious intervention in the quarter-final against Germany, places the ball in the middle. Mikel Oyarzabal, the substitute striker, scores the second and decisive goal for the Spaniards, who are the only team to have won the European Championship four times. The Iberians had previously shared the top spot in terms of titles with hosts Germany.
Williams and Yamal harmonize
Spain were widely considered to be the favorites. Even though coach Luis de la Fuente did not want his team to be favorites the day before. The Iberians had come through the tournament too confidently, the young team seemed too well-rehearsed and their offense too strong.
No team scored more often in Germany's stadiums than the "Selección". There were glimpses of this potential in the first half, such as the infamous runs down the wings by Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. However, it only became really dangerous in front of England's Jordan Pickford after the break.
And Spain's two youngsters showed that they harmonize excellently. Less than two minutes had been played when Yamal moved into the middle and set up Williams with a precise pass behind the defense. This time, no Englishman was able to keep his foot down, no one was able to put their head between the ball and the goal. And Pickford had no chance with his powerful shot.
Williams' goal was the 14th at this tournament, which the Spaniards had not entered with much credit: the players were too inexperienced, as was the coach, who had primarily worked at junior level until taking over the senior national team after the World Cup in Qatar. Having won the European Championship title, the critics now lack powerful arguments.
Southgate's hand is not enough this time
The English once again demonstrated their distinct comeback qualities. Gareth Southgate's team came back from a goal down in the round of 16 against Slovakia, the quarter-final against Switzerland and the semi-final against the Netherlands. And the much-maligned coach could once again pat himself on the back for having substituted the right player.
As in the semi-final, Cole Palmer played a decisive role in temporarily turning the game in England's favor. The Chelsea player had been on the pitch for less than three minutes when he took a return pass from Jude Bellingham and fired a shot into the far corner of the goal, sending the largely English-filled Olympic Stadium into ecstasy.
It was the reward for an improved performance after the goal conceded as the Three Lions showed more courage. And Southgate also showed courage by taking captain and top scorer Harry Kane off the field after just an hour and replacing him with Ollie Watkins, the Aston Villa striker who had become a late hero in the semi-final.
This time, however, the hero of the evening was not wearing a white shirt. Declan Rice had an excellent opportunity to bring England back into the game with a header in stoppage time. However, Unai Simon, who otherwise faced few challenges from England, made a strong reflex save.
England's wait for their second major title since the 1966 World Cup thus continues. And Spain are back on the throne after 2012.
