Euro 2024. Spain crowned European champions for the fourth time

On Sunday, a resurgent Spain won the European Championship for the fourth time in its history, an unprecedented feat, but three years after the Wembley dream was shattered, England (2-1) were beaten again in the final. In Berlin, a merry band of dazzling young wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal took Spain back to the top of Europe, drawing a line between themselves and their glorious predecessors of 1964, 2008 and 2012.

Mikel Oyarzabal, who replaced captain Alvaro Morata, scored the winning goal in the suspenseful end after receiving a cross from Marc Cucurella in front of Jordan Pickford (2-1, match 86). The scene at the Olympic Stadium was once again disillusioned, with the red and yellow supporters cheering, as the English team, which has been in a desperate record in aerial battles since its home victory in the 1966 World Cup, is still cursed.

Perfect regularity in the race

The football kingdom will have to dry its tears once again, just as Italy came to London in 2021 to bury its dreams after completely missing the penalty shootout.

Still, by the end of the journey, Spain’s dedication seemed well-deserved. Rogia Demonstrated his talent and skills, especially at the feet of Yamine Lamal, 17, since Saturday, and Nico Williams, 22, since Friday.

Luis de la Fuente’s team came through like a cannonball, piercing their opponents one by one, whether it was Croatia or Italy in the first round, the host Germany in the quarter-finals (2-1), and then Mbappe of France in the semi-finals (2-1).

Sunday, Just like facing the FrenchIn the second quarter, the Spaniards once again lost possession of the ball. Although their offensive momentum was not as obvious as usual, at least in the first half, they were wary of the opponent’s counterattack.

Both of these aspects were evident at half-time as the only shot on target recorded by UEFA came courtesy of England, despite having far less possession (34%). Unai Simon’s easy catch of Phil Foden’s recovery at the back post (45+1) was emblematic of the first act of lockdown.

Palmer and Oyarzabal’s decisive entry

A minute earlier, England captain Harry Kane also tried his luck after good work from Jude Bellingham, but his shot was blocked by Rodri (45).^Egypt ), was injured in action and forced to withdraw. Losing his midfield hub, perhaps the best Spaniard at the European Cup, obviously did not affect Rogia set off again and quickly took the lead.

Defender Dani Carvajal fired Lamine Yamal into the bottom corner with a fairly harmless ball. The Barca winger refocused, moved Williams to the left and nailed Jordan Pickford with a cross that Kyle Walker tried to counter with a throw of his own (1-0, 47th).

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The goal was offside

From then on, the game came alive and the Spaniard suddenly became freer and more dangerous, as seen with Williams’ powerful shot (56th) or Yamar’s shot that was blocked by Pickford (66th).

Gareth Southgate tried several electric strikes, Ollie Watkins came on in place of captain Harry Kane and Chelsea striker Cole Palmer came on. With just three minutes to go, the 22-year-old, after a great serve behind Bellingham, rocked the Spanish net with a dry shot from the left (1-1, 73rd).

The No. 24 had already worn the mantle of super substitute, having provided an assist for Watkins in the semi-final against the Netherlands (2-1). But Spain also had Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal on the bench, the scorer who was on the edge of offside and became the team’s hero.