Spain wins its fourth European Championship and becomes the king of Europe
Spain becomes the king of Europe after winning its fourth European Championship—the most any team has lifted—thanks to goals from Nico Williams and Oyarzabal. Luis de la Fuente’s team, which stayed true to its principles since the qualifying phase and skillfully combined Spain’s new football talents with the core of Unai-Carvajal-Rodri-Morata, made history with a 2-1 victory against England, featuring Bellingham and Kane.
After a first half of sparring between the two teams, Spain took the lead with a goal by Nico, which was equalized by Cole Palmer with ten minutes left. When most thought the Euro would be decided in extra time, Mikel Oyarzabal became the hero of the match. This capped off a European Championship where Spain defeated all the big teams, from Croatia and Italy in the group stage to hosts Germany and France in the knockout rounds. A perfect path.
Gareth Southgate’s England arrived in Berlin unconvincing. Neither Bellingham, Kane, nor Foden, save for a few flashes, were the same as in their respective clubs. But there they were, in another final. The strategy was the same as always, the one used in the round of 16, quarters, and semis: wait back and seize a great chance to make a difference. The ball belonged to Spain, which initially saw a combination of Nico Williams and Rodri thwarted by Kyle Walker’s power. A headache for Nico in the early minutes. The Athletic player tried again with a bicycle kick and a left-footed shot blocked by Stones, but Luis de la Fuente’s men approached timidly, like with Le Normand’s attempt that didn’t reach Pickford’s goal.
England’s attempt came down their right wing with a run by Walker that Laporte neutralized. There was mutual respect between the two teams, and Spain, back with its starting defense after Carvajal’s suspension against France, also defended perfectly. The slow pace suited the British, as it had throughout the Euro, where they were most comfortable. Apart from a soft shot by Fabián and a one-on-one that Morata didn’t resolve, the clearest chance of the first half was Foden’s, who found a ball flicked on by Kane at the far post. His falling shot was saved by Unai Simón.
A play began after a lapse by Carvajal in defense—the only one—that Bellingham intercepted and found Harry Kane, who shot from outside the box. Unfortunately, Rodri’s block caused an ugly collision with Le Normand. All eyes were on the Spanish-born Frenchman’s knee, which made a bad movement, but the one affected was City’s pivot, who injured his hamstring and couldn’t continue after the break. Zubimendi replaced him at halftime. A serious blow, as the team’s best player (and tournament MVP) went to the bench, but it was forgotten seconds into the second half.
The great connection between the Spanish wingers, forged throughout the Euro, had to be the one to put Spain ahead in the final. Lamine Yamal found Nico Williams, who crossed with his left foot, scoring a goal that reverberated in Berlin. The two birthday boys celebrated, followed by a Spanish onslaught. Olmo, Morata, and Nico could have made it 2-0. Leipzig’s player didn’t score the goal that would make him top scorer, Spain’s No. 7 shot too wide against Pickford, and Nico’s right-footed shot from the edge of the box grazed the post. The 17-year-old winger had another chance that forced Everton’s goalkeeper to make a save. The Spanish player controlled poorly, but Shaw, rushing back to defend, missed, allowing Lamine to try his golden left foot, though he didn’t beat the English keeper.
But Spain forgave, and Southgate made changes. Captain Kane was replaced by the hero Watkins (who got them into the final), and Cole Palmer, public enemy number one for Spain, also came on. Palmer had already scored—and celebrated in our faces—the goal that denied us the U-21 European title a year ago. It was he who equalized the match. Cucurella couldn’t cover Saka, who assisted Bellingham, and he passed to Palmer, who, with his left foot and a slight touch from Zubimendi, made it 1-1.
Instead of pressing for a winner after leveling, England began thinking of extra time that never came, as Cucurella, redeeming his earlier error, broke down the left wing to assist Oyarzabal, who scored a goal that would win us our fourth European Championship. The Real Sociedad player outsmarted Pickford, tapping in a goal he’ll never forget. The defender’s knee validated this historic goal in the 86th minute. The English won’t forget the double chance they had to re-tie the final: Rice and Saka headed two opportunities, first saved by Unai and then cleared off the line by Dani Olmo. Two moments celebrated almost like Merino’s header against Germany, or Lamine’s top-corner screamer against France, or the 3-0 win over Croatia. The rest is history.