- Mikel Oyarzabal struck late on to win Euro 2024 for Spain
- Cole Palmer levelled for England after Nico Williams handed Spain lead
- England have lost back-to-back Euros finals
Mikel Oyarzabal struck late on for Spain to break English hearts in the Euro 2024 final, winning the contest in Berlin 2-1.
Hopes were high for England to end their silverware drought on Sunday night, even if they were facing up against the standout team of the tournament. Gareth Southgate would've been content with his side's first-half efforts, but the Three Lions failed to build on the momentum gained from Cole Palmer's equaliser after the break.
Spain came again having been pegged back, and Oyarzabal ghosted into the England box to tap home Marc Cucurella's cross with less than five minutes left to win the tournament for the impressive Spaniards.
How the game unfolded
There was a slight change to England's setup compared to pre-match projections, with Southgate reverting to the system deployed without much success during the first four games of the tournament. The back four returned, although Luke Shaw's inclusion made sure of greater balance.
England were happy to cede territory to Spain, who showed off their ability to control matches in the opening ten minutes through serene possession play and a fierce counter-press which ensured the Three Lions barely made use of the ball.
Southgate's side did start to gain momentum, though, and it was clear from early on that they wanted to take the final as deep as possible. England took their time at every dead ball, played for set pieces, and often went direct to avoid the Spanish press. This made for a fairly stodgy opening 45 minutes with just a couple of shots on target at both ends, but Southgate would've undoubtedly been pleased with his side's efforts, especially without the ball.
England would've been further emboldened by Rodri's half-time withdrawal, but before they could even fathom the Manchester City man's exit, they found themselves behind. A slick Spain move was rounded off by Nico Williams after Lamine Yamal had cut inside and found his wing twin.
Luis de la Fuente's side went through the gears in the aftermath, and England appeared on the ropes. Dani Olmo and Yamal both went close, and Southgate was forced into changes. Entering the final 20 minutes, the Three Lions were still in the game.
Once again, it was a Southgate change who made the difference. Palmer, within minutes of entering the fray, finished superbly from a smart Jude Bellingham lay-off to restore parity from nowhere. England then had a chance to get at their opponents, but they failed to go again despite having all the momentum - letting Spain off the hook. La Roja asserted control once more, appearing ominous, and with less than five minutes remaining, substitute Oyarzabal tapped home the all-important winner to break English hearts.
There was a late sequence of chaos with Unai Simon parrying Declan Rice's header into danger, but Dani Olmo was on hand to deny Marc Guehi's rebound.
Spain masterfully saw out stoppage time to win their fourth European Championship.
Spain player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Unai Simon - 7/10 - Wasn't a busy night for Simon, but he made the saves he was expected to make while impressing with his distribution.
RB: Dani Carvajal - 8/10 - A wily operator down the right, Carvajal was lucky to escape an early booking and then rattled a few Englishmen. Barely put a foot wrong defensively.
CB: Robin Le Normand - 8/10 - Another returning defender, Le Normand was superb in the final. Rarely lost out in the air and was cool in possession.
CB: Aymeric Laporte - 8/10 - Not tested by Harry Kane, and was a threat in the England box. So good with the ball.
LB: Marc Cucurella - 8/10 - England did get at him early, but his aggression did subdue Bukayo Saka. Positioning did cause issues when he did venture forward and his ball for the winner was on the money.
CM: Rodri - 7/10 - A stunning half-time withdrawal. Rodri's influence with the ball was limited in the first half, but he was immense out of possession and a key contributor to Spain's counter-press.
CM: Fabian Ruiz - 8/10 - There was no box crashing from Fabian in the final, with the PSG man instead having a great influence in deeper zones. So good to watch.
CM: Dani Olmo - 7/10 - A crafty mover, but Olmo was limited in Berlin and he spurned a big chance at 1-0. His most crucial intervention came at the death to keep Marc Guehi's header out.
RW: Lamine Yamal - 7/10 - Shut down by Luke Shaw in the first half, but it was the 17-year-old who teed up Williams' opener. Missed a couple of big second-half chances.
ST: Alvaro Morata - 8/10 - Morata outperformed his counterpart Harry Kane by a distance in Sunday's final. Morata's movement was superb, especially when he darted in behind. Relentless without possession.
LW: Nico Williams - 9/10 - Produced multiple 'wow' moments with the ball up against Kyle Walker, and his finish for the opener, with his weaker, was as calm as anything. Barcelona, what are you waiting for?
Substitutes
SUB: Martin Zubimendi (46' for Rodri) - 7/10
SUB: Mikel Oyarzabal (68' for Morata) - 8/10
SUB: Mikel Merino (89' for Yamal) - N/A
Subs not used: David Raya (GK), Nacho, Dani Vivian, Ferran Torres, Alex Grimaldo, Alex Baena, Jesus Navas, Fermin Lopez
Manager
Luis de la Fuente - 9/10 - Dealt with Rodri's withdrawal and brought on the match-winner. His excellent tournament was capped off in Germany.
England player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Jordan Pickford - 8/10 - Quiet in the opening period. Williams' finish was excellent, but Pickford made excellent saves from Yamal to keep them in the game.
RB: Kyle Walker - 7/10 - His duel with Williams was fascinating. Walker was an elite-level cornerback playing catch-up with the sharpest of wide receivers.
CB: John Stones - 5/10 - Given the quality he boasts in possession, England needed more from Stones. Not his best outing.
CB: Marc Guehi - 7/10 - Guehi was caught on in behind on a couple of occasions, but the Crystal Palace defender held firm for the most part, especially when defending his box.
LB: Luke Shaw - 7/10 - England's standout performer in the opening period, Shaw didn't lose a duel with Yamal. The 17-year-old did escape his clutches for the opener, with the winger having more success in the second period.
CM: Declan Rice - 6/10 - Perhaps could've been braver with the ball, but Rice once again played a key role in screening the backline. Had a late header saved.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo - 6/10 - Took a while to get into the game, but was one of just a few that wanted to ride Spanish pressure. Understandably withdrawn with England chasing the game.
RM: Bukayo Saka - 6/10 - England turned to Saka to give them some momentum down the right, and Spain did make a concerted effort to slow the Arsenal man down.
AM: Phil Foden - 6/10 - With England playing on the counter, Foden struggled to have a major influence and was limited to scraps. Set-piece delivery was inconsistent, but role without the ball shouldn't go unnoticed.
LM: Jude Bellingham - 6/10 - Shifted out the left, Bellingham got through a lot of work without the ball and he tried his utmost to have an impact. Smart layoff for Palmer's equaliser.
ST: Harry Kane - 4/10 - Heavy-legged and immobile, Kane struggled to retain possession all night and was rightfully withdrawn
Substitutes
SUB: Ollie Watkins (61' for Kane) - 6/10
SUB: Cole Palmer (70' for Mainoo) - 7/10
SUB: Ivan Toney (89' for Foden) - N/A
Subs not used: Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Dean Henderson (GK), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Ezri Konsa, Lewis Dunk, Conor Gallagher, Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Joe Gomez, Adam Wharton
Manager
Gareth Southgate - 5/10 - Ultimately, his side couldn't get over the line. Have no issues with a risk-averse game plan, but there was a chance at 1-1 to go and win the game. England went into their shell.
