Oyarzabal late strike overcomes Cole Palmer's equalizer as Dani Olmo's header off the line catapults Spain to Europan Champions #2334

Spain 2 England 1FT

Spain 2 England 1FT

47' Nico Williams
75' Palmer
86' Mikel Oyarzabal

Olympiastadion, Berlin

In Berlin on Sunday night we concluded Euro 2024. Huge magnitude on the line between two Nations looking to etch their name. All the buildup anticipation leading into the final at Olympiastadion In Berlin. The best Stadium in Germany without a shadow of a doubt and the oldest built in 1932 opened in 1934. it has been used for the biggest stages and the biggest events. However, perhaps not one bigger than this Euro 2024 final. It is the home of Hertha Berlin Since 1988. It is Spain against England. Spain looking to add more history with the possibility of some historical marks. Spain has been the best team at this tournament from the very beginning. They bulldozered through Croatia, Italy, and Albania in the group stage. They then put the hammer down on Georgia in the round of 16 with a 5-1 victory. In the quarterfinals, they faced off against arguably the biggest possible challenge the hosts Germany. Spain saw their lead disappear in the 89th minute as Wirtz gave a lifeline to Germany. However in the 119th minute Merino header Saint Germany. In the semifinal, they came from a go down to beat France setting the stage for history. Spain He's the only nation to ever hold three major tournaments at the same time. They pulled off a treble Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012. They are on the verge of accomplishing their fourth major tournament since 2008 as they hope to be making room on the shelf for one more. Meanwhile, on the other side of the coin England is back in the final again. They have made the final in 2020 losing to Italy on penalties in their own backyard. They are back here again with a chance to win something for England for the first time since 1966. England stumbled to the final to a certain degree. In the round of 16, they went behind against Slovakia they were saved by Jude Bellingham & Harry Kane's header in extra time. In the quarterfinals, they took on Switzerland. The Swiss scored in the 75th minute to take the leap. 5 minutes later they were saved by a Wonder goal from Saka. They managed to win on penalties. In the semi-final against the Netherlands Xavi Simons scored in the first 10 minutes. England was then bailed out by a penalty That probably wasn't they were then saved with Ollie Watkins scoring a late winner to punch their ticket into the final. So now we sit here in Berlin with the final set between Spain and England.

Very early on we saw Spanish dominance. Spain had an accelerated attack with a strong setup in Midfield and a defense that stayed organized. They tried to wound England with the acceleration and athleticism on the outside with Nico Williams & Yamel once in a while, England would possess the ball and try to hit but ultimately it was a difficult act to follow. Spain had complete control. In the 12th minute, Nico Williams unleashed an effort from the left side coming at a difficult angle, however, it did run into the English defense. However, a warning sign certainly went off with the way. Nico Williams was taking advantage of England's best asset on that side Kyle Walker. On the corner it would be delivered in by Yamel As he drives it into the box Rodri delivers A headed pass for Robin Le Normand gets his foot on the end of it. although it does fly over the corner. In the 17th minute, however, They slightly cut out the Spanish. Spain had pushed forward, lost the ball, and then England had bodies forward. It is laid off to Declan Rice as he uncorks a powerful, low-driven shot with Spain. However, the strike from the Arsenal midfielder certainly shows the capabilities that England have in their back pocket. The first half may not have had a lot of scoring chances, but Spain always seemed on the verge of making something happen for themselves Dani Carvajal found space as he released Fabian Ruiz inside the box The PSG midfielder struck from point-blank range although Jordan Pickford managed to make an excellent save. Spain now started to amp it up in the late stages. In the 35th minute, Yamel comes forward as he sends the ball to the danger man Dani Olmo The Leipzig star goes for distance. a very well-taken shot, although England defensively get themselves in the way of it. another close call. However, Spain was at it again in the 44th minute As Morata hit from close range Again, England did a good job of closing down as fortunately bailed out by strong defending. Harry Kane drags an effort from a distance that is blocked by Spain. England does win themselves a free kick in stoppage time as it is delivered into Phil Foden as he strikes at Simon. The Bilbao goalkeeper makes the save. The first half came to a close with England and Spain unable to find a breakthrough as of yet but it seems as if it is coming for the Spanish.

If Spain scores first it's over that doesn't mean England can't come back, but England needs to score first. Spain has been terrorizing England, especially on the left and right side from Nico Williams. Rodri Would have to exit possibly a big blow for Spain. He has a real opportunity to be one of the three Spanish to be named player of the tournament. It is only between Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo & Rodri. Given his importance, it was a slight advantage. England needed to start quickly Unfortunately It ended up going the complete opposite direction. In the 47th minute A counter-attack is played through the middle as Spain has multiple shirts broaching the attacking area Yamel collects the ball from Dani Olmo the recently turned 17-year-old as Nico Williams on the left side instead of going for goal he delivers an excellent ball to the left. Nico Williams shreds Kyle Walker into space and follows through with an excellent strike blasting it into the back of the net as Spain takes the 1-0 lead.

Nico Williams has been a superstar at this tournament with a Barcelona move pending. England are now in serious trouble. Spain has had about 70% of the ball. They have had the vast majority of the chances and now are holding on to a lead. Spain nearly doubled their lead 2 minutes later. Nico Williams Once again has terrorized England. he dropped a ball in for Dani Olmo he slightly mismanaged it. Spain looking for blood it seems as if the one-goal lead is not nearly enough. No signs of slowing down. In the 55th minute Morata strikes from a distance as it is deflected. Spain repossessed the ball Yamel gets it back to Morata this time he follows through but can't find the target. England are slipping out of this. A minute later in the 56th minute. Nico Williams unloads a strike from distance. It comes very close but a little off on the finish as England are saved by the Bell again. eventually, England tries to Branch out with Jude Bellingham. In the 61st minute, The Real Madrid midfielder unloads a powerful strike that only narrowly drags wide probably the best chance England have had all night. 2 minutes later. Yamel had a chance to kill it once and for all played in by Dani Olmo He unloads a well-taken strike aiming for the bottom corner, however, Jordan Pickford handles the moment. Spain honestly at this point should be up by multiple goals. England had been saved by dumb luck or individual quality it would come to their rescue again. In the 74th minute substitute, Cole Palmer comes to the rescue for England. He picks up the ball from outside the box and unleashes a vicious strike into the bottom left corner. Simon is unable to get to it and somehow England has been provided with a lifeline.

They probably don't deserve it but they capitalize on the moment and Spain will have to rue their recent chances to pull away. Time was running out again. possibly extra time on the docket. In the 82nd minute, Yamel with another chance on the counterattack from a similar position before being put through by Nico Williams's strikes in the direction of Jordan Pickford the Everton goalkeeper came up with a big big stop. However, Spain kept fighting and eventually, they were going to find themselves that very moment again. In the 86th minute, Marc Cucurella delivers an excellent cross into the box substitute Mikel Oyarzabal makes a run down the center area looking to get his foot on the end of it he sends a sliding strike past Jordan Pickford as Spain explodes with a possible winner at the death Spain takes a 2-1 lead.

England just needed to find one moment. In the 90th minute, England had a trio of chances as it looked like we were going to have an incredibly dramatic finish. Declan Rice coming off a corner drives his head against the ball Simon makes a magnificent save with a quick reaction however, it was still in play right in front of the goal having fallen Marc Guéhi hit the save out of the air driving a header with the goalkeeper down heading towards the back of the net on the line Dani Olmo In a matter of seconds becomes a Spanish hero, the midfielder that does most of his work on the other side of the pitch as the header is coming across, he gets his head on the end of it heading it out of the goal on the line Declan Rice then attempts a third header. This one going over. The final whistle goes Spain has done it they are European Champions! Luis de la Fuente has turned water into wine with Spain Luis de la Fuente has taken this national side to another level. He coached Spain at almost every level and now in his first tournament, he comes away with the European championship. This is their fourth time winning this competition. 1982, 2008, 2012, and now 2024. Spain now has five major tournaments. four of them have been post-2008.

Spain is becoming one of the all-time great national sides in history. They had the greatest era of almost any International team from 2008 to 2012 and now they have ripped up another one. They made the semifinal of the last European championships and probably should have won. However, what they've done over the last year has been special. The introduction of Yamel This 16-year-old looks like the next big Superstar in Spanish football. The things he has done at 16 are truly remarkable. While he is 17 now, he ended up with four assists and a super goal against France. At this tournament, Nico Williams is broken through on the verge of possibly a big move after the tournament. A Midfield trio that cannot be beat with Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo & Rodri. This is one of the most impressive runs and teams at any European championships in recent memory. They had to go through France and Germany on their way to the final. Spain had to take down Titans here and even though they went behind with less than 15 minutes remaining, it always felt as if they were going to find a way through it. Spain should be a threat again at the World Cup. The nucleus of their team is Young we'll have other pieces that are experienced but still have plenty left to give. England likely to take a different direction after this tournament. Two finals in a row the Southgate era is most certainly over now. However, he has been partially criticized over his tenure. Two European finals, a World Cup semifinal and a World Cup quarterfinal. He's the most successful England manager In almost 60 years. He has made mistakes in this final and the previous but it would be reminiscing to say that he hasn't been successful. Cole Palmer gave them hope they probably never should have had. Spain relatively speaking should have put this away before they did. However, they battled and found their winner anyway. Rodri was named player of the tournament. He has so many honors without the individual. he's finally recognized for the individual honor at this tournament. I would have given it to Fabian Ruiz personally, however, he is still very deserving of this triumph. The Golden Boot was shared by six different players. However, the player with the most goal contributions on that list was Dani Olmo. The young player at the tournament was unsurprisingly Yamel What he was able to do at 16 years old at a major tournament is historic and mind-boggling, to say the least. The Golden Glove went to French goalkeeper Mike Maignan. It was truly a tournament to remember. In Berlin, Spain beat England 2-1 Nico Williams gives Spain the lead then Cole Palmer out of nowhere equalizes for England only for Mikel Oyarzabal to prove to have the most complete team. The goal scores from Spain play for Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. Mikel Oyarzabal's late winner gave them the lead before the goal line clearance from Dani Olmo gave Spain the trophy as they became the most successful national team at the Euros in history. Spain our European Champions!