New Delhi: Spain have reclaimed continental glory in an extremely entertaining game against England to win their first major title in 12 years. Spain’s victory sees England suffer back-to-back losses in the final of the UEFA European Championships after Gareth Southgate’s men lost the UEFA Euro 2020 final to Italy on penalties.
The first half was a very cagey affair between the two sides as neither of the teams were able to create a lot of chances with England sitting deep to negate the threat provided by Spain’s dynamic attack. England were sitting back to soak up the pressure and were looking to catch Spain on the counter throughout the first half but it didn’t quite work out for them.
The first half of the final was a bit of a slow burner, with only one shot on target each for either team and that also never looked like going in. The first half ended with Spain holding a narrow advantage over England in terms of expected goals as they edged the English by 0.28 to 0.17.
However, things completely changed as the second half started. Rodri was taken off at halftime due to an injury and while fans were speculating how that could damage La Roja, they immediately put those doubts to bed as Nico Williams had them ahead after combining with his best friend Lamine Yamal. Yamal received the ball from Carvajal on the right and played a delicate yet perfect pass towards Williams, whose powerful shot across Pickford’s goal gave Luis de la Fuente’s side the lead.
Lamine Yamal creates yet another record in the UEFA Euro 2024 (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
William’s early goal in the second half set the tone for the rest of the match as the second half made up for a drab first half. Chances were being created by both sides as Spain almost doubled their lead just after the first goal but Olmo’s shot was dragged wide. Pickford was on hand to deny Yamal from getting on the scoresheet twice, making brilliant saves to keep his side in the game.
The game turned England’s way in the 73rd minute as Cole Palmer became the youngest substitute to score in a UEFA Euro final. The Chelsea man was set up by a brilliant touch from Jude Bellingham and Palmer’s first-time shot from outside the box slotted perfectly into the left bottom corner, beyond Unai Simon’s reach. The game was on for England after that goal and Spain could feel the momentum shift.
There was another twist in the tale remaining as Spain’s substitute, Mikel Oyarzabal proved to be De la Fuente’s super sub for the night. Marc Cucurella, who had quietly been having a great tournament throughout managed to reflect the final score as an inviting cross from the Chelsea left-back perfectly found Oyarzabal in the box who timed his run perfectly to poke it past Pickford and gave La Roja the lead with just four minutes left to play.
Spain were hanging on for the final whistle but there was one last piece of action remaining which they had to endure. England won a corner in the 90th minute and a perfect delivery from Palmer found Rice in the box but his thumping header was parried by Simon. However, the ball fell to Guehi and his header was on it’s way in, only for it to be cleared off the line by Dani Olmo and the third header of the play was sent over the bar and the final whistle was blown moments later.
After leading his side to victory in the UEFA Nations League last year, Luis de la Fuente finally won the big one as Spain were crowned the winners of UEFA Euro 2024.
Top Performers of the Match
Nico Williams was the man-of-the-match in the UEFA Euro 2024 final. (Photo by A4281 Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images)
There were two standout performers for both sides in Spain’s victory over England. It was Nico Williams for La Roja and Jude Bellingham for the Three Lions. Both La Liga players tried their best for their sides but it was the Athletic Bilbao man who had the last laugh.
Nico Williams opened the scoring for Spain in the final, getting his second goal of the tournament to give his side the lead. He was instrumental for De la Fuente’s men throughout the match as indicated by his 62 touches in the game. He created two big chances for his side while also creating three key passes as he ran the show for La Roja in Berlin.
Jude Bellingham was England’s standout performer but couldn’t guide his side to victory. A second loss for Bellingham in the final but the Real Madrid star was on fire throughout. Getting 51 touches in the game, he created two chances for his side as well, notching the assist for Palmer’s goal.
After being shifted to a deeper role since Palmer’s introduction, his defensive output was also amazing in the match. Bellingham produced nine defensive actions and won five out of his six defensive actions.
Spain maintained their perfect record to win their first UEFA Euro title in 12 years after overcoming a timid England side in the final in Berlin. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
