Spain clinched their fourth European Championship title with a thrilling 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final held in Berlin. The decisive moment came in the 86th minute when Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winning goal, assisted by Marc Cucurella.
SPAIN TAKES THE LEAD IN THE 86TH MINUTE 😱
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
Mikel Oyarzabal with a MASSIVE goal for Spain 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/ImbH9uhzYT
Earlier, Spain had taken the lead just two minutes into the second half with a goal from Nico Williams, following a scoreless first half where Spain dominated possession.
Nico Williams has given Spain the lead in the Euro 2024 final!#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/vSVmAaioFS
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2024
England’s Cole Palmer equalized in the 73rd minute with a remarkable left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
INSTANT impact by Cole Palmer! ⚡️pic.twitter.com/P9K46QxU5m
— England (@England) July 14, 2024
Spain’s performance was characterized by their relentless pressure and high-possession play, continually challenging England’s defense. Equally impressive was Spain’s defensive resilience, epitomized by Dani Olmo’s crucial goal-line save in stoppage time, where he headed Marc Guéhi’s goal-bound effort off the line to preserve Spain’s lead.
WHAT. A. SAVE.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
DANI OLMO DOES IT ALL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xvtlSw4Dm6
Despite England’s efforts, including strategic substitutions such as bringing on Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer, Spain’s tactical prowess and consistent attacks ultimately secured their victory.
The match began with Spain immediately asserting dominance, maintaining 83% possession in the first ten minutes. England’s defense, however, managed to hold off numerous Spanish attacks until Williams’ goal early in the second half. Throughout the match, Spain showcased their depth and versatility, with substitutions like Mikel Oyarzabal and Martin Zubimendi making significant impacts.
England’s journey to the final was marked by resilience, especially as they aimed to overcome the disappointment of their previous Euro final loss to Italy in 2020. Despite a valiant effort, England fell short once again, extending their wait for a European Championship title.
Spain’s victory cements their status as one of the most successful teams in European Championship history, now holding a record-breaking four titles, surpassing Germany. This win reflects Spain’s consistent excellence in international football, combining experienced players with emerging talents to secure their place at the pinnacle of European soccer.
THE MOMENT ✨
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
SPAIN LIFTS THE EURO 2024 TROPHY 🏆🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/QNzDV0asm8
Spain’s Rodri was named the Best Player of Euro 2024, showcasing his pivotal role in Spain’s midfield throughout the tournament. Throughout the competition, he played 521 minutes, scoring one goal and maintaining a remarkable passing accuracy of 92.84%. Rodri completed 411 out of 439 attempted passes, showcasing his exceptional playmaking abilities and control in the midfield. His contributions were not just limited to his passing; his leadership and strategic presence on the field were crucial in Spain’s journey to victory. Starting in all but one of Spain’s seven matches, Rodri’s consistent and influential performances solidified his reputation as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Lamine Yamal, also from Spain, received the Best Young Player award. The 17-year-old made a significant impact with four assists, tying the record for the most assists in a single tournament. He also became the youngest player to score and assist in a major international competition.
Nico Williams was named the Player of the Match in the Euro 2024 final for his outstanding performance. His exceptional play was highlighted by scoring the opening goal of the match, helping Spain secure a 2-1 victory to win the championship.
The 2024 European Championship Golden Boot was shared among six players, each finishing the tournament with three goals. England’s Harry Kane, Spain’s Dani Olmo, Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz, Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze, Germany’s Jamal Musiala, and Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo were the joint top scorers. Despite their efforts, neither Kane nor Olmo could add to their tallies in the final. Kane scored his goals against Denmark, Slovakia, and Netherlands, while Olmo scored against Georgia, Germany, and France. The Golden Boot, previously awarded to the player with the most assists in case of a tie, is now shared among players with the highest equal number of goals.
