Spain are European Champions for the fourth time after defeating England 2-1 in Berlin.
The dynamic wingers of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams linked up expertly, with the latter putting Spain ahead just moments into the second half. Cole Palmer came off the bench to equalise for England but it was Spanish substitute Mikel Oyarzabal who won it for Luis De La Fuente’s side.
After a first half with nothing to split the sides, Spain were dealt a blow when Rodri was forced off at the break.
If England’s spirits were lifted by the departure of the man described as the heartbeat of this Spanish side, the were soon dampened by La Roja’s pulsating start to the second period.
Yamal, fresh from celebrating his 17th birthday yesterday, drove in from the right hand side before picking out Williams in acres of space on the opposite flank. Having been frustrated by Kyle Walker so often in the first half, he Athletic Club man took advantage of his opponent’s rare lapse in positioning to dispatch a clinical first time finish beyond Pickford.
Gareth Southgate looked to his bench as the second half wore on, replacing Captain Harry Kane and Kobbie Mainoo with hero of the semi-final Ollie Watkins and Palmer. It would be the Chelsea man to write his name into the headlines this time though as just minutes after coming on he levelled the game.
Living up to his nickname ‘Cold Palmer’, the winger delivered an ice cool finish into the bottom corner with the aid of a slight deflection.
It would be a Spanish substitute that would have the defining say in the final though as Mikel Oyarzabal scored what proved to be the winner with four minutes left.
Marc Cucurella played a ball into the area that asked questions of the England defence, they didn’t have an answer to the run of the Real Sociedad midfielder who drove forward and slipped the ball past a helpless Pickford.
England’s wait for major tournament success will go on and Spain’s next generation write themselves into the history books and regain their European Championship crown for the first time since 2012.
