England’s bid for a maiden major trophy since 1966 was cruelly denied once again as Spain claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal’s late strike sealed Spain’s record fourth European Championship title, leaving England to ponder another agonizing near miss.
Gareth Southgate’s side had shown remarkable resilience to reach their second consecutive major final, but ultimately fell short against a supremely talented Spanish team.
England’s wait for silverware continues, with the pain of this defeat likely to linger for a long time.
The match began with Spain dominating possession, but England’s defense held firm. However, the deadlock was broken just 69 seconds into the second half when Nico Williams found the net.
England responded with a stunning equalizer from substitute Cole Palmer, but Spain’s relentless pressure eventually told when Oyarzabal scored the winner four minutes from time.
Marc Guehi’s header was cleared off the line as England fought valiantly, but Spain’s class and creativity proved too much to handle.
As the final whistle blew, England’s players slumped to the ground in despair, while Spain’s team celebrated with unbridled joy.
This defeat marks a bitter end to Southgate’s 102-match tenure as England manager, potentially his last game in charge. Despite the heartbreak, England’s performance in Germany showed glimpses of promise, and the team will hope to build on this experience in future tournaments.
For Spain, this triumph marks a historic fourth European Championship title, cementing their status as one of the greatest national teams of all time. Their impressive display in Berlin will be remembered for years to come, and they will be celebrated as heroes back home.
In the end, it was Spain’s superior skill and determination that won out, but England’s courage and spirit will not be forgotten.