(Singapore 15.07.24) Spain defeated England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, securing their fourth European Championship title.
The match saw Spain's Nico Williams breaking the deadlock early in the second half. Williams, one of the standout performers of the tournament, skillfully finished a well-weighted pass from the 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal. This goal energized the Spanish team and put them in a strong position.
England responded with a stunning equalizer midway through the second half. Cole Palmer unleashed a brilliantly placed left-footed shot from outside the box, bringing the score level and reigniting England's hopes.
With just under five minutes remaining in regular time, Spain seized the lead once more. Mikel Oyarzabal tapped home an inch-perfect pass from Marc Cucurella, securing the victory for La Roja and capping off a memorable tournament.
Spain's triumph in Berlin adds to their previous Euro titles from 1964, 2008, and 2012, reinforcing their dominance in European football. For England, this defeat marks another heartbreak, following their loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
The match began with both teams cautiously feeling each other out, a typical scenario for a major final. Spain dominated possession in the opening 30 minutes but struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. England, meanwhile, had the first significant chance just before halftime, with Phil Foden's close-range shot being saved by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón.
Spain faced a setback at halftime when Manchester City midfielder Rodri was forced off due to injury, replaced by Real Sociedad's Martín Zubimendi. Despite this, Spain's resilience shone through, with Williams scoring two minutes into the second half. At 22 years and two days old, Williams became the second youngest player to score in a Euro final, highlighting his exceptional talent and promising future.
This historic win for Spain cements their legacy in European football, while England will have to regroup and look ahead to future tournaments.