Williams, Oyarzabal, Yamal shine as Spain lift Euro 2024 cup

The Spanish football club has defeated England to clinch a record fourth title at the just concluded Euro 2024 championship held in Germany with Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal shinning brightly.

The La Roja players celebrated a sensational victory, beating England 2 – 1 to achieve the historic feat.

“Man Of The Match”, Nico Williams, had opened the scoreline for Spain in the 47th minute after the First Half ended a goalless draw.

Williams magic

It was a magic start to the second half for the Spaniards.

An incisive passing move culminates in Lamine Yamal collecting a ball from Carvajal just inside from the right flank

He laid a perfectly weighted pass into the left of the box for the space Williams was galloping into.

Williams latched on the ball before powering a crisp, low finish into the far corner.

Cole Palmer levelled up for England in the 73rd minute, making an impact as a substitute.

Saka had races down the right but his progress into the box is checked by two Spain defenders.

He slots a clever pass through a pair of La Roja players for Bellingham.

Bellingham nudged it backwards into the path of the Chelsea attacker.

Palmer promptly drilled a fierce, left-footed strike low into the far corner of Unai Simón’s net, cancelling the brilliant effort of Williams.

Spain goes for the jugular

But it was Spain that smiled last with Mikel Oyarzabal’s 86th minute strike, securing victory for Spain.

Oyarzabal collected an Olmo pass with his back to goal just inside the final third.

He sprayed it effortlessly out to the left flank for Cucurella to exploit some space.

The Chelsea defender repays the favour.

He sent a low ball into the box for the run of the substitute, who side-foots in past the advancing Pickford.

Meanwhile, Williams was all over the pitch doing some clinical damages to the English side.

Oyarzabal’s winner was his 12th La Roja goal, with nine of those coming as a substitute.

His late winner was Spain’s 15th goal at EURO 2024, surpassing the previous tournament best of 14 set by France at the 1984 edition.

Spain celebrate after winning the Euro 2024 championship

England, though, will take no shame in the defeat, having come up against a fantastic team and went toe-to-toe with them.

The English players once again showed amazing courage to come back into the game after conceding first.

They were adjudged a special group of players, who will have their moment of silverware.

Speaking to ITV Sport shortly after the match, Gareth Southgate, England manager, said: “I think Spain were the best team in the tournament.

“We didn’t quite keep the ball well enough, but we were right in it until the last ten minutes. I’m devastated for everybody, really.

“The players have been absolutely incredible; I’m so proud of what they’ve done. We’ve just fallen a little bit short.”

Spanish players shine

As the tournament wound up, Yamal clinched “The Young Player of the Tournament” trophy.

Yamal displays his “Young Player of the Tournament” award at the just concluded Euro 2024 in Germany

Another Spanish player, Rodri, grabbed the “Player of the Tournament” award.

Nico Williams, meanwhile, was named “Vivo Player of the Match”.

Speaking about Williams, UEFA’s Technical Observer Panel said:

“[Williams] proved very dangerous in attack and was disciplined when he had to defend.

He covered Cucurella and linked up well with Olmo in midfield, which proved a combination that posed a lot of threat.

“He scored a fine goal and was one of the most dangerous players on the field.”

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook