It was heartbreak for England but ecstacy for Spain, as La Roja claimed a record fourth European Championship crown after a 2-1 win over the Three Lions on Sunday.
The buzz in Berlin was real as Euro 2024 culminated with the eyes of the footballing world on the tournament’s two best teams.
The opening exchanges were cagey and hard-fought, with few real goal scoring opportunities.
The half concluded with a content England side guiding the style of play and aiming to attain the comfort of taking the game as far as possible while focusing on their defensive skill.
Once the whistle for the second period had rung, however, the Spanish showed why their youthful attacking fluidity has seen them win every single game in the campaign.
Nico Williams opened the scoring moments after half-time with possession and creative spark, too, going their way.
Gareth Southgate was forced into some tough calls; withdrawing captain and joint top scorer Harry Kane for the in-form Ollie Watkins.
While the move failed to pay off, the introduction of Cole Palmer brought the equaliser — with the Chelsea man levelling matters with quarter of an hour to play.
England could not see out the 90, though, and a late goal would seal Spain’s fate.
Mikel Oyarzabal was the match winner, with just four minutes remaining. His run was timed to the very last millimetre; and his side were the better team as a result of it.
England’s years of hurt will extend to six decades by the time the next major tournament gets underway. And while they may have reached their first ever final on foreign soil, it was heartbreak at the final hurdle yet again for the Three Lions.
For La Roja, they have won the European Championships for a fourth time (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024), more than any other nation in the competition’s history.
Pictured above: Spain win Euro 2024
Source: @euro2024
