European Football Championships - Jungstars lead Spain to record title - England mourns
Spain was crowned as the record-breaking European Champion thanks to its young charmed footballers and joker Mikel Oyarzabal, extending the agonizing wait time for the English with a 2:1 (0:0) win in Berlin. The 22-year-old Nico Williams (47. minute) scored after Lamine Yamal's setup, and Oyarzabal (86.) added another for the Spaniards. Cole Palmer (73.) gave England a glimmer of hope.
Luis de la Fuente's squad left three-time European Champion Germany behind, having eliminated the DFB team from the tournament in the semifinals. England, on the other hand, lost for the second consecutive European Championship final and must wait at least two more years for another major football success since the 1966 World Cup title.
Among the 71,000 spectators at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, there were clearly more English fans, but only parts of the East stand were evidently Spanish yellow-red. However, their support did not help. Gareth Southgate's team, featuring the ineffective Bayern Munich star Harry Kane, lost deservedly. Kane was substituted out after barely an hour for Ollie Watkins.
"Very satisfied," Lahm commented in ARD. "You've seen the pictures of how the people here came together and really had fun." There were no significant security concerns.
English and Spanish fans had already started their farewell parties in Berlin long before the game. Thousands of supporters of the Furia Roja and the Three Lions flocked to the Olympic Stadium. Alongside the English heir to the throne, Prince William, and the Spanish King Felipe VI with their children, Bundespresident Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also did not miss the final.
During the ten-minute closing ceremony before the kickoff, singing and pyrotechnics were heard. Giorgio Chiellini, the captain of the Italian winning team from the previous tournament in 2021, brought the EM cup to the stadium. The ball was finally rolled out. The Spaniards took control of the game with their polished passing, while England relied on quick counters. The high-intensity action was scarce initially, with both sides showing great respect.
More boos for Cucurella
Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella had to endure boos every time he touched the ball from the German fans, who had not forgiven him for the handball in the quarterfinals. However, Spanish fans cheered for Cucurella with chanting.
Not much excitement took place on the field otherwise, except for the early yellow cards for Bundesliga stars Kane and Dani Olmo. Youngster Yamal, who became the youngest player to appear in an EM final on the day after his 17th birthday, drew attention. He broke the record previously held by Portugal's Renato Sanches (18 years, 328 days). The Spanish attacks mainly came from the left through Williams.
However, the Spanish fans waited in vain for goal opportunities in the first half. On the English side, Phil Foden tested the Spanish keeper Unai Simón for the first time just before halftime (45+1). Earlier, Rodri had blocked a shot from Kane just in time. Kane barely made an appearance.
Rodri off, but Spain scores
During the second half, the Spaniards had to replace the injured Rodri, their best player of the tournament. However, they were not shocked - quite the opposite. Just 69 seconds after the restart, Yamal provided an assist for Williams, who scored from a half-left position. The Spaniards had also attacked Germany shortly after the break.
Kane, who was still chasing a title, immediately encouraged his teammates. But Olmo had already had the next chance (49), followed by good opportunities for Alvaro Morata (55) and Williams (56). Finally, the final took off.
England was in trouble. Southgate had to act - and surprisingly took off Kane. Bellingham provided the first sign of life (64), before Jordan Pickford saved England from Yamal (66) with a save in the game. Southgate also brought on Palmer and had another lucky hand. Just three minutes after his substitution, the man from Chelsea scored from a distance.
Back to square one - now it was an exciting EURO final. Yamal had a big chance for the winning goal on his foot, but Pickford was there again (82). Spain wanted to settle things in regular time - and was rewarded. After a cross from Cucurella, Oyarzabal chipped the ball into the goal. England threw everything forward again, but Olmo saved the win on the line.
- Spain's victory against England in the European Championship finale marked a historic moment for Dani Olmo and his young teammates, extending Germany's wait for another major football title since 1966.
- The German national team, led by three-time European Champion Luis de la Fuente, was left behind by Spain in the semifinals, leading to England's second consecutive EURO final loss.
- At the Berlin Olympic Stadium, a mix of English and Spanish supporters cheered for their respective teams, with more English fans visible, but Spanish supporters were equally vibrant, chanting for Marc Cucurella throughout the match.
- Gareth Southgate's squad, featuring key players such as Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins, faced challenges against Spain's polished passing game and struggled to maintain control, leading to a narrow 2:1 defeat.
- Harry Kane, who had a rough tournament, was substituted out after barely an hour, while Dani Olmo also received an early yellow card on the Spanish side.
- Despite the early yellow cards and some close calls, the high-intensity action was sparse in the initial stages, with both teams showing respect for each other's talents.
- Mediterranean Champions Italy, represented by Giorgio Chiellini, graced the ten-minute closing ceremony before the kickoff, ultimately passing the cup to the Spanish team.
- German fans held a grudge against Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella for his handball in the quarterfinals, booing him every time he touched the ball, while his Spanish supporters celebrated his every move.
- Small chances for goals emerged for both teams, with Phil Foden testing the Spanish keeper and Rodri blocking England's attempt just before halftime, cementing the low-scoring first half.
- England's desperation to overcome the deficit led to the introduction of youngster Cole Palmer, who scored from a distance, sparking excitement in the EURO final and keeping the game close up until the last minute.
- The final moments of the match saw Spain secure the victory through Mikel Oyarzabal's goal, much to the disappointment of Gareth Southgate and the Three Lions' supporters, who watched on as the UEFA European Football Championship trophy went back to Spain.
