England’s long wait for a major international trophy continues as they were narrowly defeated by Spain in the Euro 2024 final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Gareth Southgate’s team fell to a late goal by Mikel Oyarzabal, leaving England heartbroken once again after coming so close to glory in back-to-back European Championships.
The match was marked by intense competition and a showcase of young talent, particularly from Spain. The breakthrough came two minutes into the second half when Lamine Yamal’s pass allowed Nico Williams to strike a powerful low finish past England’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, giving Spain the lead.
England captain Harry Kane struggled throughout the match and was substituted on the hour mark. His replacement, Cole Palmer, sparked hope with a composed left-foot strike that leveled the game in the 73rd minute. However, England’s optimism was short-lived. Oyarzabal scored the winning goal four minutes from time, expertly converting Marc Cucurella’s cross to seal Spain’s victory.
The defeat was a bitter pill for England fans, who had filled the stadium in large numbers, hoping to witness their team break the 58-year drought. The crowd’s energy surged when Palmer equalized, but Spain’s clinical finishing in the closing moments dashed any hopes of an English comeback.
Spain’s win was well-deserved, reflecting their strong performances throughout the tournament. Declan Rice and Marc Guehi both saw their headers cleared off the line in the dying moments of the game, first by goalkeeper Unai Simon and then by Dani Olmo, who celebrated as if it were a match-winning moment.
This loss continues the trend of near-misses for England under Southgate’s tenure, adding to their defeats in the Euro 2020 final, the 2018 World Cup semi-final, and the 2022 World Cup quarter-final. Southgate’s future with the team now hangs in the balance, with this latest disappointment possibly being too much to bear.
Kane’s Tournament Struggles
Harry Kane, who shared the Euro 2024 Golden Boot with three goals, failed to meet expectations in other aspects of his game. He appeared out of form and lacked the sharpness that has defined his career. Fans expressed their frustration, calling for the introduction of semi-final hero Ollie Watkins, who replaced Kane but could not change the outcome.
Despite Kane’s struggles, Cole Palmer impressed once more, scoring the equalizer and demonstrating his potential for the future. Southgate’s decision to start Luke Shaw over Kieran Trippier at left-back paid off, with Shaw delivering a solid performance in his first start in over a year.
Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham worked tirelessly but were unable to exert their usual influence. England, despite their efforts, were ultimately outplayed by a superior Spanish side.
Spain’s Young Stars Shine
Spain’s triumph was powered by their young talents, particularly Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. Williams was energetic and confident, scoring the opening goal and being a constant threat. Yamal, who turned 17 the day before the final, showcased maturity beyond his years and was named the tournament’s young player of the tournament.
Williams, at 22, was awarded man of the match for his exceptional performance. Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, entrusted these young players, and they repaid him with spectacular performances.
Spain should have secured the win earlier, with Dani Olmo missing a chance to clinch the Golden Boot outright and Alvaro Morata having a shot cleared off the line by John Stones. However, Oyarzabal’s late goal ensured that these missed opportunities did not cost Spain the title.
The victory was a fitting end to the tournament for Spain, who proved to be the best team in Europe, leaving England to wait until the 2026 World Cup for another chance at success.