EURO 2024 Final: Yamal and Williams shine as Spain beat England to lift historic title

EURO 2024 Final: Yamal and Williams shine as Spain beat England to lift historic title

Faruq Ibrahim 21:53 - 14.07.2024

Nico Williams scored the opener, Cole Palmer cancelled it out, before a Mikel Oyazarbal strike helped Spain win 2-1 and lift Euro 2024.

Spain completed a perfect competition by beating England 2-1 to lift a record fourth European Championship.

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After a drab first-half, Nico Williams gave Spain an early second-half lead. Substitute Cole Palmer pulled England level in the 47th minute, but La Roja would have the final laugh as Mikel Oyazarbal fired late to hand Spain the win and consequently, the trophy.

How it happened

At this stage of the competition, both managers have worked out the kinks in their setup and trusted the line-up and structure from the semi-final. However, there was a slight modification from Gareth Southgate as he replaced Kieran Trippier with the more natural Luke Shaw at left-wing-back.

Spain had the chance to compound England's woes minutes after scoring the opener when Williams played Dani Olmo through. The Leipzig man fluffed his line, firing wide and missing the chance to go clear as the competition's top scorer. 

Spain led on an onslaught for a sustained period after but failed to extend their lead, keeping England in the game. Gareth Southgate shuffled the pack as he brought on Palmer and Ollie Watkins, taking off Harry Kane and Kobbie Mainoo. 

The changes came to good effect for the Three Lions, as in the 73rd minute, England equalised after a brilliant run from Bukayo Saka and a precise layoff from Jude Bellingham was finished off by Palmer. 

La Roja remained calm despite the momentum swinging England's way and soon dominated proceedings again. They were the better team on the night and deservedly got the win in the 86th minute. 

The winner came through a substitute for their own Oyarzabal. Marc Cucurella played a precise ball into the box, and the Real Sociedad man poked it home for Spain. 

Declan Rice came close to equalising for England, but a goal-line clearance from Olmo kept Spain's lead and victory. 

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