Spain coach Luis de la Fuente believes his side can go on to further success after beating England 2-1 to win Euro 2024 in Berlin. The new European champions became the first team to win all seven games in the tournament and set a new goalscoring record, with a total of 15 goals. The winning goal was scored by reserve player Mikel Ojarzabal, in the 86th minute.
MAN OF THE MATCH: NIKO WILLIAMS (SPAIN)
Spain were rocked by the loss of Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo at half-time, but the setback seemed to only inspire them as Williams scored moments after the restart with a superb finish.
In truth, Spain could easily have wrapped up the final before Palmer equalized as he cut through England at will with Williams and fellow lively winger Lamal, who celebrated his 17th birthday on Saturday, featuring heavily in the second half.
After all, England simply did not have the same level of quality in key areas as Luis de la Fuente’s impressive European champions, who also won the title in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
PLAYER RATINGS
England: Pickford 8; Guehi 6, Stones 6, Walker 6; Saka 6, Mainoo 6, Rice 6, Shaw 6; Bellingham 6, Foden 6; Kane 6 subs: Toney 6, Watkins 6, Palmer 7
Spain: Simon 7; Carvajal 7, Le Norman 7, Laporte 7, Cucurella 7; Ruiz 7, Rodri 6; Olmo 7, Williams 8, Jamal 8; Morata 6 substitutions: Nacho 6, Zubimendi 7, Ojarzabal 7, Merino 7
THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE MATCH
47′ GOAL! (WILLIAMS) SPAIN 1-0 ENGLAND Great play by two wings. Jamal with a super pass to Williams and he shoots low and hard into the net and is late in the box with Walker nowhere to be seen to mark him. No chance for Pickford. Lovely finish. We have a goal in the final.
49′ CHANCE FOR A QUICK SECOND GOAL More stunning play from Spain, Williams picks out Olm, who turns but shoots wide. Spain is in this second half. He could easily have been second for the Spaniards.
73′ GOAL! SPAIN 1-1 ENGLAND (PALMER) And England have a quick equalizer from Palmer. A brilliant finish. Sack to Bellingham and a pass to Palmer was headed into the corner of the net. 1-1. Game on. A superb goal from 22 yards.
83′ PICKFORD SAVES ENGLAND Great passing game by Spain that opened the white jerseys. Williams so, so dangerous. The ball breaks to Jamal, whose shot is well blocked by Pickford. It was a decent height for an England goalkeeper. Right on him.
86′ GOAL! (OIARZABAL) SPAIN 2-1 ENGLAND Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal arrives in time to put the ball into the net from a pass from Cucurella. So, so smooth. A wonderful goal by Spain under Pickford. Is it the winning goal? They lead 2-1 in the final.
89′ SPAIN CLEARS THE LINE Simon blocks Rice’s header before Guehi heads in, Olmo is off the line and Rice nods. So, so close to an equalizer for England late on. Added four minutes in Berlin.