Iker Oyarzabal capped off a brilliant one-two with Marc Cucurella and headed straight to the corner flag, engulfed by a sea of red. His goal, just four minutes before full-time, sealed Spain’s victory in the Euro 2024 final.
Spain, known as the ‘Red Fury,’ reclaimed the European Championship title, leaving England to extend their quest for a major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
Throughout the tournament, Spain had asserted themselves as the standout team, prompting speculation about their potential in the upcoming World Cup under coach Luis de la Fuente.
This new generation, aiming to emulate Spain’s dominance in football during the early 2010s, reached their first final and secured victory with Oyarzabal’s decisive goal, clinching a 2-1 win over England on Sunday. This triumph marked Spain’s record fourth continental title.
The match began cautiously, with Spain dominating possession but struggling to break through England’s defense that neutralized the threats posed by wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
However, Spain surged after halftime, with Yamal and Williams combining effectively. Yamal, named Young Player of the Tournament, capitalized on a Dani Carvajal assist, finding Williams for a precise finish that eluded Jordan Pickford.
As Spain maintained pressure, Gareth Southgate reacted by substituting captain Harry Kane for Ollie Watkins, who had scored the winner against the Netherlands in the semifinals. Yet, it was another substitute, Cole Palmer, who leveled for England with a powerful strike from distance in the 73rd minute, assisted by Jude Bellingham.
Despite England’s resilience, it was Oyarzabal who ultimately sealed Spain’s victory. Coming off the bench, he linked up with Cucurella, delivering a low cross into the box that evaded Pickford and ignited celebrations among the Spanish contingent.
The Golden Boot award, shared by six players including Harry Kane, highlighted prolific scoring across the tournament, while Rodri earned the Player of the Tournament accolade for his standout performances in midfield.