Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi (left), number 18, and defender Aymeric Laporte, number 14, celebrate the victory during the UEFA Euro 2024 Final between Spain and England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 14, 2024. (Photo by Adrian Dennis/AFP)
BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored a dramatic late winner to beat England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, sealing Spain’s re-emergence as a powerhouse on the international stage and ending their opponents’ dreams of a first title in nearly 60 years.
Spain were without key midfielder Rodri through injury at half-time but they didn’t let that bother them and took the lead within two minutes of the restart through Nico Williams, who scored after receiving a pass from fellow star winger Lamine Yamal.
England came back from behind, as they have done so many times at these Euros, with substitute Cole Palmer scoring an equaliser shortly after coming on in the 73rd minute.
But the revival in the game was short-lived as Real Sociedad forward Oyarzabal crossed in the 86th minute to give Spain a record fourth European Championship and third in the last five tournaments.
The team has previously won the title in 1964, 2008 and 2012, with the last two titles coming before and after their 2010 World Cup triumph during the golden era of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta.
Whether this generation, led by the great Yamal, who was playing here the day after his 17th birthday, can repeat the feat of that great team remains to be seen, but their victory was well deserved.
Spain had been by far the strongest team over the past month in Germany and were not intimidated by the atmosphere at the Olympiastadion, where the vast majority of the crowd was dedicated to supporting England.
England were hoping to win their first men’s international title since their legendary victory in the 1966 World Cup but fell just short in their first ever final on foreign soil.
They became the first team to lose consecutive Euro finals after suffering a bitter defeat to Italy on penalties three years ago.
Meanwhile, captain Harry Kane has just turned 30 and is still searching for the first trophy of his goalscoring career, and the defeat comes after a winless season with Bayern Munich.
