England’s long wait for a trophy continues as a late goal from substitute Mikel Oyarzabal
secured Spain a record 4 th Euro title.
Spain started strongest with Nico Williams advancing into the box early on but John Stones
recovered well to deny the winger from finding a teammate in the box.
Jude Bellingham dispossessed Dani Carvajal in his own half before finding Harry Kane but his
effort was blocked by Rodri.
The best chance of the opening 45 minutes came on the stroke of half time to Phil Foden as
he stretched onto a late Declan Rice free-kick at the far post, but could only direct straight
at Unai Simon.
Spain made the breakthrough minutes into the second half as 17 year-old Lamine Yamal
squared the ball to opposite winger WILLIAMS who calmly slotted the ball past Jordan
Pickford into the bottom right corner.
The goal sparked more momentum as England’s defence were under pressure once again as
Williams turned provider for Dani Olmo but he dragged his effort wide of the post.
England began to find their own attacking force as Bukayo Saka found Jude Bellingham in
the centre, who turned two defenders before drifting his shot wide.
Pickford was forced into action soon after as Yamal beat Luke Shaw before cutting inside but
his curling effort was parried away by the England shot-stopper.
Substitute Cole Palmer made an instant impact as he drew England level as Bellingham
played the ball to PALMER whose first time effort fired into past a crowded box into the
bottom left corner.
Spain regained the lead minutes before injury time as Marc Cucurella’s low driven cross into
the box found substitute Mikel Oyarzabal who directed the ball past Pickford.
In stoppage time, England were inches away from equalising for the second time as Palmer’s
corner was powerfully headed at goal by Rice. His effort was cleared off the line before
Marc Guehi’s header was kept out.
Those measurements proved vital as the whistle blew shortly after as Spain secured a
record fourth Euro victory whilst England’s 58-year wait for a trophy continued.
England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Shaw, Rice, Mainoo (sub 70min, Palmer), Saka,
Bellingham, Foden (sub 89min, Toney), Kane (sub 61min, Watkins).
Unused Subs: Ramsdale, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold, Dunk, Gomez, Trippier, Konsa,
Gallagher, Wharton, Gordon, Bowen, Eze.
Spain XI: Simon, Carvajal, Le Normand (sub 83min, Nacho), Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri (sub
46min, Zubimendi), Fabian Ruiz, Williams, Olmo, Yamal (sub 89min, Merino), Morata (sub
68min, Oyarzabal).
Unused Subs: Raya, Remiro, Vivian, Grimaldo, Navas, Lopez, Joselu, Torres, Baena.
Half Time: Spain 0-0 England
Full Time: Spain 2-1 England
Attendance: 65,600
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