Euro-2024: resurgent Spain European champion, the English dream still gone

Spain, resurgent, won Sunday the Euro for the fourth time in history, an unprecedented achievement achieved at the expense of England (2-1), beaten again in the final , three years after the dream took flight. of Wembley.

In Berlin, the joyous band of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, young dazzling wingers, brought the “Roja” back to the roof of Europe, establishing a link with their glorious elders of 1964 , 2008 and 2012.

Mikel Oyarzabal, who came in place of captain Alvaro Morata, threw himself in front of Jordan Pickford to score the victorious goal at the end of the suspense (86th , 2-1) on a cross from Marc Cucurella.

The two Spanish scorers against England in the Euro final, Nico Williams (c) and Mikel Oyarzabal, on July 14, 2024 in Berlin © AFP – Odd ANDERSEN

The red and yellow supporters exploded with joy in an Olympiastadion scene of great disillusionment, once again, for the English still cursed, with a desperately blank record since the 1966 World Cup won at home .

“As always in this kind of match, the margins are slim, but they were the best team in the tournament. Overall, they deserved it,” admitted, fair play, England coach Gareth Southgate to the BBC.

The kingdom of football will have to dry its tears once again, like in 2021 when Italy came to London to bury its dream at the end of a completely missed penalty shootout.

The Spaniard Rodri voted best player of the Euro after the final won against England, July 14, 2024 in Berlin © AFP – Tobias SCHWARZ

The consecration of Spain appears deserved at the end of a journey that the “Roja” has flown through with its talent and its mastery, notably under the feet of Yamine Lamal, 17 years old since Saturday, and Nico Williams, 22 years old as of Friday.

Luis de la Fuente's team went through the tournament like a cannonball, piercing their opponents in turns, whether either Croatia or Italy in the first round, the host country Germany in the quarter-finals (2-1 ap) then Kylian Mbappé's France in the semi-finals (2-1).

Spaniard Mikel Oyarzabal (d) beats Englishman Marc Guéhi and scores the winning goal, July 14, 2024 in Berlin © AFP – Adrian DENNIS

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On Sunday, the Spaniards confiscated the ball again, with an offensive momentum although less pronounced than usual, at least in the first half, as if wary of opposing counter-attacks.

– Story of substitutes –

At half-time, these two facets appeared quite clearly since the only shot on target recorded by UEFA was to the credit of England, despite much lower possession (34%).

Englishman Cole Palmer equalizes against Spain, July 14, 2024 in Berlin © AFP – JAVIER SORIANO

Unai Simon easily captured Phil Foden's falling recovery at the far post from a free kick from Declan Rice (45th+1), a symbol of this locked first act.

A minute earlier, English captain Harry Kane also tried his luck after good work from Jude Bellingham, but his shot was blocked by Rodri (45th), injured in the action and forced to come off.

Losing his midfield hub, perhaps the best Spaniard in the Euro, obviously didn't affect the “Roja”, who left with their feet on the floor and quickly moved ahead in the score.

Spaniard Nico Williams opens the scoring against England, July 14, 2024 in Berlin © AFP – INA FASSBENDER

On a fairly innocuous ball, defender Dani Carvajal launched Lamine Yamal superbly deep. The Barça winger refocused and shifted Williams to the left, crucifying Jordan Pickford with a cross shot that Kyle Walker tried to counter by throwing himself (47th, 1-0).

The meeting got lively from there, with the Spaniards suddenly much more liberated and dangerous, like this powerful shot from Williams just wide (56th) or this attempt by Yamal deflected by Pickford (66th).< /p>

Gareth Southgate tried several electroshocks, with the entry of Ollie Watkins in place of captain Harry Kane, and that of Cole Palmer, the spinning Chelsea striker.

The disappointment of the English Bukayo Saka (l) and Harry Kane after the final lost against Spain, July 14, 2024 © AFP – Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV

It only took three minutes for the 22-year-old, well served behind by Bellingham, to shake the Spanish nets with a sharp strike from the left (73rd, 1-1).

N.24 had already put on his “super-sub” (super-substitute) cape with an assist for Watkins in the semi-final against the Netherlands (2-1).

But the Spanish bench also had resources with Mikel Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad striker, scorer on the edge of offside, become the hero of a team drunk with happiness at the final whistle.

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