Spain Triumphs Over England 2-1 to Clinch Euro 2024 Title

After a thrilling second half, Spain defeated England 2-1 in Sunday's Euro 2024 final in Berlin to win their fourth European Championship.
 
As the second half began, Nico Williams, one of Spain's most impressive players, put La Roja ahead with a brilliant finish into the bottom corner after receiving a perfectly weighted ball from another rising star on the squad, the 17-year-old Lamine Yamal.
 
In the middle of the second half, England leveled the score at the Olympiastadion in Berlin thanks to a spectacular left-footed goal by Cole Palmer.
 
However, Spain took the lead in the 94th minute thanks to a goal by Mikel Oyarzabal, who finished off a fantastic tournament for La Roja after Marc Cucurella had sent in a pass that was almost too perfect. The goal came with under five minutes to go in regulation time.
 
Spain won their fourth Euro championship after 1964, 2008, and 2012. England has suffered grief for a second consecutive European Championship after losing to Italy on penalties at Euro 2020.
 
As expected in a major final, the game got off to a close start as the players battled through any pre-match anxiety. Much to everyone's surprise, Spain dominated the first half of the match in terms of possession, but they failed to create any serious scoring chances.

Despite La Roja's best efforts to break the deadlock, England's Phil Foden had the first chance just before halftime, but his close-range shot went high and wide of Unai Simón's goal.
 
When Rodri, a key player for Manchester City, was substituted off at halftime due to injury, it was a massive setback for Spain. Martín Zubimendi, who was a member of Real Sociedad, succeeded him.
 
Williams finished a sweeping play two minutes after the break to give La Roja a well-deserved lead, proving that the Iberians were unfazed by losing their star midfielder. Williams became the second-youngest player to score in a Euro final at 22 years and two days.
 
Following the score, Spain appeared to step up their game, and a minute later, Dani Olmo almost extended the advantage, but his shot missed the post.
 
After Williams scored, England found themselves in a precarious position. John Stones saved a delicate cross from captain Álvaro Morata, and then the Athletic Bilbao player went close with a shot that went just wide as he sought to score his second goal.
 
The Three Lions' manager, Gareth Southgate, took a risk by substituting Ollie Watkins, who had just scored a last-second winner against the Netherlands to secure their place in the final, for captain and record goalscorer Harry Kane as they sought a way back into the game.
 
The English appeared to be energized by the substitution as they played with greater vigor and quickness. The first time the England fans had been on their feet for some time was when Jude Bellingham sent a shot wide of the post.
 
On Sunday night, Spain's Yamal became the youngest player to participate in a Euro or World Cup final. Still, England's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a spectacular save to keep the Barcelona prodigy's momentum from gaining traction.
 
At long last, England scored—and it was a substitute—from Southgate's bench. Midfielder Palmer, who had replaced 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo for Chelsea moments earlier, leveled the score after latching onto a beautiful set-up by Bellingham and caressing an inch-perfect effort into the bottom corner.
 
Ten minutes before the end of the game, Spain had a chance to reclaim the lead thanks to some clever buildup play that put Yamal—then 17 years old—one-on-one with Pickford. However, Pickford saved the shot.
 
Cucurella finished another beautiful play by sliding in an inviting cross for Oyarzabal to head home as time ran out and extra time drew near. The goal gave Spain the deserved victory, and the celebrations went wild.
 
If England wanted any chance of returning to the game, the team needed another magical moment, as it had been famous for its late heroics at Euro 2024.
 
With the clock reaching 90 minutes, Declan Rice headed a corner towards goal. Simón dodged it, and Guehi had an effort, but Dani Olmo of RB Leipzig cleared it off the line. The Spanish defense celebrated after stopping another English attack.
 
After four minutes of extra time, referee François Letexier sounded the final whistle. The Spanish players fell, and the sea of red and yellow fans inside the stadium celebrated. The Three Lions had given it their all to extend the match. 

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