Spain defeats England in the final of UEFA Euros 2024 to lift the title for the fourth time and their third title in their last five attempts. The final score of the match was 2-1.
The month-long road to the Spain vs England final saw 24 teams play 51 matches to determine the champion of Europe. The two finalists came into this game in very different forms.
Spain had undoubtedly been the best team in this competition. In Group B, they defeated Croatia, Spain, and Italy to become the only team in the competition to win all their group-stage games. Then, in the Round of 16, the Spaniards thrashed an underdog Georgia side 4-1.
The quarterfinal saw the Alvaro Morata-led team defeat the home team and favourites to win it all, Germany, while the semi-final saw them edge past France.
Check Out: Spain Defeats England In UEFA Euros 2024 Final
On the other hand, England has had a rough ride to the final. After a 1-0 win over Serbia in Group C, they drew against Denmark and Slovenia to top their group. Then, a late equalizer and an extra-time winner were required to go past Slovakia.
The quarterfinal between England and Switzerland went to penalties, while the semi-final against the Netherlands was the game where the Three Lions showed some teeth.
While Spain had been fluid and dominating throughout the tournament, England has been rigid, without flair, and afraid to push for goals. So when these two very opposite teams collided in the final, no one knew how the game would pan out.
Spain Defeats England In UEFA Euros 2024 Final
The opening minutes of this match were dominated by Spain, both in attack and in possession. But as the half grew into itself, England found themselves in attacking positions, using their width, with Bukayo Saka making several runs in the opposition’s third.
While Spain dominated the first half in many aspects, England would not feel too negative as the players went into the dressing rooms. It was still anyone’s game at nil-nil.
The Spanish came with all guns blazing in the second half, finding the English defense sleeping. As Lamine Yamal found himself with the ball just outside the box, the defense zeroed in on him, leaving Nico Williams, who made a run down the flank and into the box, with no one guarding him. A simple pass from Yamal saw Williams score the first goal of the night in the 47th minute, 1-0.
From this point on, Spain was indeed creating more chances. Around the one-hour mark, Harry Kane was subbed off, showing signs that he wasn’t completely fit coming into the knockouts of UEFA Euro 2024.
And as if the substitution did the trick, England came back alive in this game. At one point, Jude Bellingham found himself in a sweet spot but could not breach goalkeeper Unai Simon’s defence.
But England did equalize the score in the 73rd minute. After a brilliant run from Saka, he passed the ball to Bellingham in goal. And instead of trying to force a shot, the Real Madrid star passed it back to Cole Palmer outside the box, whose low strike was just out of the keeper’s reach, 1-1.
With all to play for and about 15 minutes remaining, both sides tried to cautiously manufacture some chances. One of which, in the 86th minute, saw Mikel Oyarzabal pass the ball to Marc Cucurella on the flank, who whipped the ball into the box after a run to find Oyarzabal in front of the goal, who finished the attack in style with the ball in the back of the net, 2-1.
While four minutes of stoppage time were added at the end, it was not enough, as Spain had won their fourth Euro title. After wins in 1964, 2008, and 2012, Spain won the UEFA Euros 2024. And deservedly so as the best team in the tournament.
As for England, even more heartbreak. Not only did they lose what could have been their first Euro title and first major trophy since 1966, but it was also their second defeat in a row in the final of this competition.
Spanish midfielder Rodri, who had been sensational throughout UEFA Euros 2024 but was injured in the final and substituted at half-time, was named Player of the Tournament, a massive step towards a Ballon d’Or win.
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