España are European kings once again.
Spain put the cherry on top to an amazing tournament and defeated England 2-1 to become the Euro 2024 champions at the Olympiastadion stadium in Berlin on Sunday.
The first half between the European giants was filled with more controversial plays than goalscoring opportunities, with England’s Harry Kane and Spain’s Dani Olmo getting booked after two tough tackles that could’ve easily been sent for a VAR review.
Harry Kane receives a yellow for this challenge pic.twitter.com/aDGQRl1JuV
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
Dani Olmo receives a yellow here pic.twitter.com/zBo5uJEK3c
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
The second half, however, would deliver just a couple minutes into the restart.
In the 47th minute, a pass out wide to Lamine Yamal, taken into the middle by the 17-year-old, set up 22-year-old Nico Williams to open the scoring with bullet low-driven shot.
SPAIN STRIKES FIRST IN THE EURO 2024 FINAL
Nico Williams finds the back of the net to start the first half pic.twitter.com/bzYOW5Z4EJ— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
This was Williams’ third goal of the tournament, with Yamal tallying his fourth assist (top) of the tournament.
The goal would quickly shift the momentum of the match to Spain, failing to put away two important chances that would’ve doubled their lead and practically sealed their victory.
England would see themselves forced to make changes, with manager Gareth Southgate making the bold decision to remove captain Harry Kane from the pitch at just the 61st minute. PFA YoungPlayer of the Year, Cole Palmer, would also be substituted into the field.
Harry Kane comes off the pitch for Ollie Watkins pic.twitter.com/TKxWIdOYNR
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
Controversial or not, the changes from the bench would go on make an instant impact, as quick breakaway played outside of the box to Palmer ended in yet another bottom corner shot to put the game level.
COLE PALMER LEVELS THE SCORE FOR ENGLAND pic.twitter.com/hqIxGpoLrD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
The Three Lions would take control of the game, but after a plethora of substitutions from both sides, Spain would go on to reclaim their lead in the closing minutes of the game.
Marc Cucurella would go into the attack and set up substitute Mikel Oyarzabal to score the last-minute winner — inches away from being disallowed for an offisde position. What a moment for the Spaniard striker.
SPAIN TAKES THE LEAD IN THE 86TH MINUTE
Mikel Oyarzabal with a MASSIVE goal for Spain pic.twitter.com/ImbH9uhzYT— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
It was THIS CLOSE on Spain's winning goal pic.twitter.com/xz5hD2kVh2
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 14, 2024
Spain finish Euro 2024 with a perfect run, winning all of their seven matches and becoming the only nation to ever win four European Championships.
2024 CHAMPIONS: Spain #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/8jGoI5ZSv0
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024
Lamine Yamal leads Spain to the European Championship a day after he turns 17.
MAGIC ✨ pic.twitter.com/TLVFlAH1Mh— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 14, 2024
WHAT A RUN BY SPAIN AT THE EUROS
✅ Croatia
✅ Italy
✅ Germany
✅ France
✅ EnglandINCREDIBLE pic.twitter.com/oDYNbtnvlt
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 14, 2024