Spain strikes last minute to beat England 2-1 and win Euro 2024

 

Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored four minutes from time to give Spain a deserved 2-1 victory over England in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final and a record fourth European title, as Gareth Southgate’s side lost their second successive final.

Oyarzabal linked up with Marc Cucurella on a quick counterattack for the winning goal and Spain were crowned champions, having won all seven of their matches in the tournament.

After an extremely cautious first half, in which Spain had more possession and their opponents were the only ones to shoot on goal, it took just two minutes after the restart for the Spaniards to break the deadlock.

Teenager Lamine Yamal found space on the right and crossed for winger Nico Williams, who scored, as England trailed for the fourth successive game.

Spain then had a positive period with a series of attacks, while the English defence, until then stagnant, was falling apart.

England manager Gareth Southgate responded by bringing on Ollie Watkins, the substitute hero of the semi-final, for the ineffective Harry Kane after an hour; he was joined 10 minutes later by Cole Palmer, the most creative player of the last month.

The move paid off almost immediately when Jude Bellingham passed the ball into Palmer’s path and the substitute scored a pinpoint, low shot from 20 metres in the 73rd minute.

The huge crowds of English fans, far outnumbering their rivals, erupted and the atmosphere of the evening changed radically.

Spain, however, weathered the storm and Oyarzabal, who came on in the 68th minute, scored.

There was still time for more drama at the other end, as Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon parried Declan Rice’s header from a corner and Dani Olmo blocked Marc Guehi’s shot off the line. [Reuters]

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