England was surefire that it was finally coming home, but it never meant to be.
And, the wait for England to hands on a trophy continues.
Spain struck late to win Euro 2024 with a 2-1 victory over the Three Lions, England in a thrilling encounter on Sunday in Germany capital Berlin, to capture the trophy for a record fourth time.
Spain went into the final as favourites having not lost a game in the competition after beating the tournament’s hosts, Germany.
Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal turned home in the 86th minute after Nico Williams sent Spain ahead early in the second half but England substitute Cole Palmer pulled the Three Lions level.
Spain’s Oyarzabal sealed victory and England’s fate just four minutes from time as they capped a dominant Euro 2024 campaign with a deserved win over England in Sunday’s showpiece for a record fourth title and condemned their opponents to a second straight final defeat.
Oyarzabal finished off a swift counter-attack for the winner after England had fought back from a goal down for the fourth successive match and seemingly earned extra-time.
Monitored live on ITV channel, England almost equalised at the death but Dani Olmo headed Marc Guehi’s effort off the line to safety.
Spain won its record fourth European soccer championship, getting an 86th-minute goal from Mikel Oyarzabal to beat England in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday in Berlin.
Spain won all seven games it played at Euro 2024, being crowned champions to cap one of the most dominant international tournament performances in history.
“I couldn’t be happier. To see the fans, to see the players,” Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said. “For me, they are the best in the world and today I confirm that definition.”
Nico Williams provided the first goal for Spain, scoring less than two minutes into the second half after a scoreless opening 45 minutes.
‘No avail‘
Spain looked the better team throughout the but England’s Cole Palmer scored the tying goal in the 73rd minute.
Spain previously won the tournament in 1964, 2008 and 2012 and were tied with Germany as the only three-time champions.
This is England’s second consecutive runner-up finish, having lost to Italy in the final of Euro 2020.
The country has never won a European championship and its last major international tournament win was the 1966 World Cup.
“Losing in a final is as tough as it gets,” England captain Harry Kane said postgame.
The first half ended goalless, after cautious starts from both teams.
Spain then opened the scoring just moments after the restart through winger Nico Williams.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was forced into action again soon after as Spain continued to press for another goal.
England levelled the score with just under 20 minutes to go thanks to a shot from just outside the penalty area from Cole Palmer.
The Chelsea forward had come off the bench just two minutes earlier as head coach Gareth Southgate refreshed England’s attacking line.
But with just four minutes left inside Berlin’s Olympic stadium, Spain took the lead again.
The Three Lions tried all it could to push for another goal until the final seconds, but to no avail.
‘Dark Horses’
Spain went into Euro 2024 as dark horses — bookmakers rated England, France, Germany and Portugal as more likely winners.
However, convincing victories in the group stages saw their odds slashed. Spain won the Euros in 2012 and 2008 — the tournaments either side of the country’s World Cup win in 2010 — and in 1964.
After Sunday’s victory, Spain became the first team to win all seven matches at a Euro championship, scoring 15 goals in the process.
In contrast, England laboured at every stage. After defeating Serbia in the opening match, England then drew against both Slovenia and Denmark during the group stages.
A spectacular injury-time equaliser from Jude Bellingham in the round of 16 saved England from a humiliating defeat to Slovakia, but penalties were needed to overcome Switzerland in the quarterfinals, while an injury time winner against the Netherlands took the team to the final.
“I couldn’t be happier. To see the fans, to see the players.”
Luis de la Fuente
Spain national team manager
