Spain are Euro 2024 champions as they saw off England at the Olympiastadion in Germany to clinch their fourth European crown.
After a dominant start to the first half, Spain’s first big chance came in the 13th minute.
Nico Williams had swung in a deep corner from the right. Rodri rose up to nod it back into the crowd. The ball then fell for Le Normand, who had a chance to convert it but fired wide.
In the 25th minute, England captain Harry Kane saw yellow card after clipping down Fabian Ruiz with his overstretched leg. It was a studs-up challenge and the referee had no choice but to slam him with a yellow card.
It was still a cagey affair throughout the first half. Spain wielded more possession but could not break the deadlock.
After a barren first half, the clinical de la Fuente-led side got off the mark fast in the second half. Just two minutes into proceedings, Athletic Bilbao winger and Barcelona target, Nico Williams, scored a stunner to give the La Roja the lead.
An excellent play from Spain saw Lamine Yamal drove down the right before cutting inside to find space. Left unmarked, he then curled for Williams on the far side of the box and the prolific winger made no mistake as he beat Pickford with a perfect low shot.
It was a deserved lead for the three-time champions, who have been on top of proceedings right from the start of the game.
The goal changed the trajectory of the game as England pushed forward from their low block in search of an equaliser. The Three Lions failed to create a tangible chance going forward.
However, the game dynamics changed immediately after Gareth Southgate brought on Chelsea star Cole Palmer to replace Phil Foden.
The Manchester City Academy graduate produced instant impact after coming on.
A rare England offensive saw the ball fall on a platter for Palmer. Jude Bellingham had the ball inside the opponent’s box but was off balance. He then laid it to Palmer.
From outside the box, Palmer fired a stunning low shot. Spain goalie would have probably produced a save but was wrong-footed after the ball deflected off the foot of his teammate and rolled into the bottom-left corner.
The 73rd-minute goal tied the score, thanks to Cole Palmer’s brilliance. After the leveler, Spain resumed their dominance again with England now dropping deep to defend.
Jordan Pickford was forced to make a series of late saves to deny the La Roja as the pressure on England intensified.
Against the Three Lions’ best effort, Spain finally had their way. A late counter by the team saw England caught out the back. Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella had a swarth of space on the left. He then crossed a low shot into the box. Spain’s late substitute, Mikel Oyarzabal, beat Marc Guehi with a horse-speed pace to poke home the match winner.
England were close to what would have been a late equaliser but Declan Rice’s perfect header was cleared by a counter-header just at the goal line.
The game finally ended with Spain deservedly securing a 2-1 victory to emerge Euro 2024 champions. They are now the first team in Europe to win the tournament four times with Germany second with three titles.
