The Euro 2024 final was a thrilling encounter that saw Spain lift their fourth European Championship trophy at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. The match was defined by crucial moments, including a millimeter-perfect pass and a decisive header that secured Spain's victory. Despite a strong challenge from England, Spain's resilience and strategic play under coach Luis de la Fuente proved decisive.
Cole Palmer's goal for England, 17 minutes from time, seemed to shift the momentum after Nico Williams had opened the scoring for Spain. England's hopes were dashed when Marc Cucurella's low cross found Mikel Oyarzábal, who appeared to be in an offside position. However, VAR confirmed that John Stones' knee had kept Oyarzábal onside, allowing Spain to regain the lead.
England pushed hard for an equalizer, with Declan Rice's header being blocked by goalkeeper Unai Simón and Marc Guehi's subsequent attempt cleared off the line by Dani Olmo. These last-minute efforts highlighted the intensity and drama of the final, but Spain's defense held firm to secure the 2-1 victory.
Spain's journey to the final was marked by an impressive series of victories over strong teams like Croatia, Italy, and Germany. England, on the other hand, had a more challenging path but showed remarkable improvement in the knockout stages, defeating Slovakia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Spain's dominance in international finals has been evident for over two decades, with Spanish teams winning 26 consecutive international finals since 2001, including two previous European Championships and a World Cup. This legacy of success continued in Berlin, reinforcing Spain's reputation as a powerhouse in football.
Adding a personal touch to the tournament, Spain's young star Lamine Yamal celebrated his 17th birthday just a day before the final. Yamal had a standout performance in the semi-final against France, scoring a spectacular goal from 20 meters out. His contributions were pivotal in Spain's journey to the final, where they ultimately triumphed over England.
