Oyarzabal with decisive goal
©IMAGO
Spain is European champion for the fourth time and thus the sole record holder. On Sunday evening, the Furia Roja defeated England 2-1 (0-0) after 90 minutes. Mikel Oyarzabal scored the decisive goal shortly before the end (86th minute), and the celebrated youngsters Nico Williams, who scored the 1-0 (47th minute), and his assist provider Lamine Yamal were again among the central protagonists of the success. Cole Palmer (73rd minute) had given England hope again at times.
Lamine Yamal, who has just turned 17, crowned himself top scorer with his fourth assist and thus a total of five goal involvements in the tournament, alongside teammate Dani Olmo (three goals, two assists). The question of who was the best goalscorer at the Euros could not be clearly answered in the final either. Six players finished the European Championship with six goals each and are all officially considered top scorers, including the young German professional Jamal Musiala.
Coach Luis de la Fuente’s team left three-time European champions Germany behind with their fourth title, although Spain had knocked the DFB team out of the tournament in the quarter-finals on the way there. England, on the other hand, lost a European Championship final for the second time in a row and will have to wait at least another two years for their second big footballing success after the 1966 World Cup title.
There was little excitement on the pitch in the first half, apart from the early yellow cards for Bundesliga stars Harry Kane and Olmo. Young star Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player to appear in a European Championship final one day after his 17th birthday, was initially hardly noticeable. He replaced Portugal’s Renato Sanches (18 years, 328 days). However, the Spanish attacks were mostly carried out on the left side by Williams.
But chances to score? The Spanish fans waited in vain for that in the first 45 minutes. On the other side, it took until just before half-time for Phil Foden to test Spanish keeper Unai Simón for the first time (45.+1). Before that, Rodri had blocked a shot from Kane just in time. Otherwise, the Bayern striker hardly made an appearance.
In the second half, the Spanish had to replace the injured Rodri, perhaps their best player of the tournament. But they were not at all shocked – on the contrary. Just 69 seconds after the restart, Lamine Yamal, who was getting better and better, set up Williams, who scored from the left-hand position. The Spanish had already struck against Germany shortly after the break.
Kane, who is still chasing a title, immediately cheered up his colleagues. But Olmo had the next chance (49th minute), and shortly afterwards good opportunities followed from Álvaro Morata (55th minute) and Williams (56th minute). The final finally picked up speed.
England was in trouble. Southgate had to act – and surprisingly took Kane off the field. Jude Bellingham (64th minute) gave the first sign of life before Jordan Pickford kept his England in the game with a save against Lamine Yamal (66th minute). Southgate also brought on Palmer and was lucky again. Just three minutes after coming on, the Chelsea FC man scored from distance.
Everything was back to square one – now it was a thrilling European Championship final. Lamine Yamal had a great chance to score the winning goal, but Pickford was there again (82′). Spain wanted to make it clear in regular time – and were rewarded. After a cross from Marc Cucurella, Oyarzabal flicked the ball into the goal. England threw everything forward again, but Olmo saved the win on the line.
