SPAIN CLINCH 4TH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER BEATING ENGLAND 2-1
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Mikel Oyarzabal proved the late hero as his goal saw Spain down England 2-1 on Sunday.
Spain became the first team in history to win the European Championship on four separate occasions as Oyarzabal’s smart finish four minutes from time sealed a historic victory in Berlin.
Substitute Cole Palmer had earlier cancelled out Nico Williams’ second-half opener, only for Real Sociedad’s Oyarzabal to break English hearts in the Three Lions’ second consecutive Euros final.
Gareth Southgate’s side almost levelled in the final minute, but Unai Simon and Dani Olmo were the defensive heroes for Spain as England became the first team to lose back-to-back Euros finals.
A tentative first half was devoid of gilt-edged opportunities as Spain dominated possession without reward against England’s well-drilled defence.
Phil Foden spurned the best chance before the break, but he volleyed tamely straight at Simon.
The injured Rodri was removed at half-time for Martin Zubimendi in a huge Spanish blow, yet that mattered for little as La Roja cut through England with ease immediately after the interval.
Yamal ghosted inside from the right flank before sliding across towards the left of the area for an unchallenged Williams to caress a left-footed strike into the bottom-right corner.
Williams found space once more just minutes later, arrowing a left-footed drive wide from a similar angle to the opener.
Stones was required to clear off the line from Alvaro Morata, while Williams hammered off target from range and Jordan Pickford superbly denied Yamal.
Spain’s failure to capitalise was punished eight minutes later. A sweeping Three Lions break saw Bukayo Saka roll inside for Jude Bellingham before his offload teed up Palmer, whose guided left-footed finish from outside the box found the bottom-left corner just three minutes after his introduction.
Pickford was once again equal to Yamal eight minutes from time, parrying away another strong two-handed save after Olmo and Williams combined to set up their teenage team-mate.
Yet Pickford had no answer when Marc Cucurella whipped low across for Oyarzabal, who prodded into the bottom-left corner for the decisive goal.
There was time for one more twist, but Simon and Olmo stood firm to thwart Rice and Stones respectively as Spain clung on for glory.
Wing wizards pave way for La Roja success
Barcelona winger Yamal, aged just 17 years and one day, surpassed Brazil’s Pele – at the 1958 World Cup – as the youngest-ever player to feature in a major tournament final.
Yet another piece of history was not enough for Yamal, who has been involved in more goals for Spain in all competitions than any other player since his debut in September 2023 (10 – three goals, seven assists).
His deft assist for Williams added another memorable moment for his embryonic career, and Spain supporters may be relishing the partnership of their two star wingers in future years.
But it was La Real’s Oyarzabal who proved the hero, sneaking in past Pickford to inflict further heartbreak on Southgate’s England as two substitutes scored in the final of the Euros or World Cup for the first time.
Familiar fate for Three Lions
England suffered heartbreak in the delayed Euro 2020 final after penalty shoot-out failure against Italy, and though they battled all the way, failed to make amends in their first international showpiece away from home soil.
The Three Lions did themselves no favours immediately after the interval, conceding the fastest goal in the second half of a Euros final, continuing a concerning trend overall.
England have now conceded the first goal in four consecutive matches for the first time since May/June 1985, and those defensive fragilities were exposed once more when Oyarzabal found a pocket of space for the winner.
Oyarzabal’s magic moment may forever haunt Southgate, who could soon depart as England manager as the first head coach in European Championship history to lose two finals.
England are also the first side to lose two consecutive Euros finals, and a new era could await after the Three Lions went so close without reward once again.
-AllFootball
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