Spain substitute Oyarzabal scores winning goal 17-year-old Yamal helps become youngest player to play in final England ‘unconcerned’ despite reaching finals for 2nd time in a row… Goal-scorer Kane silent
Mikel Oyarzabal (right) goal celebration
The ‘Invincible Armada’ Spain has reclaimed the Euro (European Football Championship) title after 12 years, becoming the first country to achieve ‘four championships’.
Spain defeated England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany on the 15th (Korean time).
Spain won the Euros for the fourth time, following victories in 1964, 2008 and 2012. Prior to this tournament, Germany and Spain had been tied for the most titles with three each, but with this win, they became the first team to win the tournament four times.
Spain, which had been in a slump since winning Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and Euro 2012 in succession, made a complete comeback by winning the UEFA Nations League last year and this year’s Euro.
England, on the other hand, reached the final of the Euros for the second consecutive time but once again failed to overcome the final hurdle of the championship.
England is known as the ‘home of football’, but apart from the 1966 World Cup, which they hosted on their own soil, they have not won a major tournament.
Harry Kane’s ‘no title jinx’ continued as he was considered the world’s best goalscorer but failed to win a title with his club team or the England national team.
On this day, Alvaro Morata started up front for Spain, with Nico Williams, Dani Olmo and Ramin Yamal supporting him.
Spain’s ‘new star’ Yamal, who celebrated his 17th birthday on the 13th, the day before the match, has set a new record for youngest player to appear in a Euro final, beating out Renato Sanches (Portugal) who was 18 years and 327 days old in the 2016 tournament.
England’s 19-year-old midfielder Kobi Mainu also started, making it the first time two teenage players started in a Euro final.
England, with Kane at the forefront, had Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka forming the second line.
In the first half, Spain had over 60% possession and was more active in attack, but England had only one effective shot in the extra time of the first half.
Declan Rice’s free kick from the right flank skimmed past the head of a Spanish defender, and Phil Foden fired a left-footed shot from the left side of the goal, which was saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Spain started the second half without key midfielder Rodri, who had been in question with an injury during the first half, and brought on Martin Zubimendi, and scored the opening goal within a minute.
Yamal broke down the right flank and moved towards the penalty arc to send a pass that Nico Williams found on the left side of the goal area and finished with his left foot.
Yamal recorded his fourth assist of the tournament, ranking him first in assists.
After Spain’s continued offensive, England, pushed into a defensive position, took a decisive step by replacing captain Kane with Ollie Watkins.
In the 25th minute of the second half, Cole Palmer stepped onto the pitch instead
Saka’s pass down the right flank was met by Bellingham, who was out of position inside the penalty area, and Palmer fired a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty arc.
But Spain struck the deciding blow in the 41st minute of the second half.
Mikel Oyarzabal put the visitors ahead again when he slid home a cross from Marc Cucurella on the left flank.
Oyarzabal, who came on as a substitute for Morata in the 23rd minute of the second half, played the role of the game-winner with a golden winning goal.
England, who had become anxious, knocked on the goal with consecutive headers from Rice and Marc Guehi from corner kick situations in the 45th minute of the second half, but hung their heads as their shots were blocked by goalkeeper Simon and Olmo, respectively. 파워볼사이트