In a match that showcased the very essence of European football, Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal were the heroes as Spain emerged victorious over England with a 2-1 win in the final of the EURO 2024. Played at the historic Olympiastadion in Berlin, this victory marked Spain’s fourth time lifting the prestigious trophy, securing their legacy in the tournament’s history.
The game began with both sides diving deep into their tactical playbooks. The first 15 minutes witnessed Spain controlling possession while England managed to hold their defensive formation, leading to a tightly contested start. Spain managed to create two significant chances, but England’s defense stood firm. The Three Lions, however, only had one close chance to break the deadlock, underscoring their early struggle.
England found it difficult to move out of their own half during the initial minutes. The Spaniards commandeered the midfield, leaving England’s attackers without opportunities to test the Spanish goalkeeper, Unai Simon. Moments before halftime, Spanish captain Alvaro Morata created space inside England’s box but was thwarted by English defender Aymeric Laporte’s timely block.
England showcased their counter-attacking prowess when Jude Bellingham, in tandem with his Real Madrid colleague Dani Carvajal, passed the ball to England skipper Harry Kane. Kane’s powerful shot from outside the box was, however, blocked by Spain’s Rodri. In the added minutes before halftime, England had a freekick opportunity. Declan Rice threw the ball into the box, but it was diligently cleared by Spanish defender Robin Le Normand. Phil Foden caught the clearance and placed a shot towards the far side, which Unai Simon expertly saved, keeping the scoreline intact.
The first half concluded with a 0-0 score. Statistics highlighted Spain’s dominance, as they boasted 69% of the ball possession and fired shots toward the goal compared to England’s meager 31%. As the teams went into the break, it was clear that the forthcoming second half would be pivotal, with neither willing to risk the match going into a penalty shootout.
As the second half kicked off, Spain made a crucial change with Martin Zubimendi replacing an injured Rodri. Their tactical acumen soon paid off. In the 47th minute, Nico Williams etched his name into EURO folklore by scoring the first goal of the final. Lamine Yamal spearheaded a brilliant move down the right flank, weaving past the English defense and setting up Williams, who slotted the ball into the far corner, leaving England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with no chance.
Yamal’s assist was his fourth in the tournament, making him the leading assist provider for Spain in a single edition of the Euros.
. After taking the lead, Spain intensified their attacking efforts. By the 55th minute, England defender John Stones executed a crucial goalline save after Morata attempted a shot from the right side.
England’s head coach Gareth Southgate took a bold step by substituting captain Harry Kane with Ollie Watkins. Jude Bellingham nearly equalized in the 63rd minute, but his powerful shot drifted wide off the far post.
Spain’s relentless attacking strategy continued to yield results, exposing gaps in England’s defense. Yamal once again outmaneuvered Luke Shaw, unleashing a low curling shot that Pickford saved. Another crucial change saw Mikel Oyarzabal replacing Alvaro Morata on the field.
England found a spark of hope in super sub Cole Palmer. Brought in for Kobbie Mainoo, Palmer justified Southgate’s trust by equalizing in the 73rd minute with a long-range effort. Bukayo Saka’s remarkable run down the left and his subsequent pass to Bellingham set the stage for Palmer, who seized the opportunity to level the score.
With renewed vigor, England pressed forward. However, Spain responded by reinforcing their defense, swapping Le Normand for Nacho Fernandez. In the 86th minute, Mikel Oyarzabal capitalized on a lapse in England’s defense, scoring the decisive goal that handed Spain a 2-1 lead. Despite a VAR check for offside, the goal stood, sealing Spain’s fate as champions. Mikel Merino came on for Lamine Yamal as Spain sought to solidify their lead.
In a final move of desperation, England added Ivan Toney to their attack in place of Phil Foden, aiming for an equalizer. However, their efforts fell short as the French referee Francois Letexier blew the final whistle, confirming Spain’s historic win.
Spain’s triumph was characterized by their commanding presence throughout the match, maintaining 65% of ball possession and creating five significant chances. On the other hand, England managed two major opportunities but couldn’t translate them into a victory.
Spain’s Euro 2024 win not only marked their fourth European Championship title but also underscored their undying footballing spirit. Their unbeaten run throughout the tournament is a testament to their tactical brilliance and resilience. Meanwhile, for England, the wait for a major trophy continues, as they endure yet another heartbreak in back-to-back Euro finals.
