Spain has secured a record fourth European Championship title at the Olympiastadion in Berlin Germany on Sunday after substitute Mikel Oyarzabal’s 87th-minute goal clinched a 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final.
England has now lost back-to-back Euro finals and remains without a major title since winning the 1966 World Cup.
Notably, the win extends England’s decades-long wait for a major trophy.
Spain also won the title in 1964, 2008, and 2012.
The triumph marks Spain’s re-emergence as a powerhouse on the international stage and ends England’s hopes of winning their first major title in nearly six decades.
Despite losing key midfielder Rodri to injury at half-time, Spain took the lead just two minutes into the second half. Nico Williams scored, assisted by fellow star winger Lamine Yamal.
England equalized in the 73rd minute when substitute Cole Palmer scored shortly after coming on. However, their comeback was short-lived as Real Sociedad’s Oyarzabal turned in a cross in the 86th minute, earning Spain their record fourth European Championship title, and third in the last five editions.
Spain’s previous victories came in 1964, 2008, and 2012, with the latter two titles sandwiching their 2010 World Cup triumph during the golden era of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, and Andres Iniesta.
This new generation, led by the brilliant Lamine Yamal, has also made history. Yamal, who celebrated his 17th birthday a day before the final, became the youngest player ever to play in a major international final, breaking a record set by Pele in the 1958 World Cup final.
England aimed to claim their first men’s international title since their iconic 1966 World Cup victory but fell short in their first final on foreign soil. After losing to Italy on penalties three years ago, they became the first team to lose back-to-back Euros finals.
Captain Harry Kane, now 30, is still seeking the first trophy of his career, despite his impressive goal-scoring record. This defeat comes after a trophy-less season with Bayern Munich.
