Spain have followed Italy as the Champions of Europe after winning every single game, defeating England 2-1 in the EURO 2024 Final with Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal goals.
Giorgio Chiellini handed back the trophy before kick-off, as the Azzurri ended their three-year reign as the Champions of Europe, as EURO 2020 was postponed by a year for the pandemic.
Gareth Southgate made one change from the side that fought back to beat the Netherlands in the semi-final, giving Luke Shaw his first start in five months, returning to four at the back with Jude Bellingham wide left rather than Phil Foden. La Roja remained the same and had won every match in the tournament so far, including a 1-0 group phase victory over Italy. Pedri was still injured, but that allowed Dani Olmo to revamp their tactics as a trequartista.
John Stones made a huge sliding block early on Nico Williams and Declan Rice risked a penalty when all over Aymeric Laporte on a corner.
Jude Bellingham robbed Dani Carvajal to set up Harry Kane, denied by a Rodri block, and Foden got the first shot on target in first half stoppages, albeit easy for Unai Simon at the back post after a free kick.
Rodri hurt himself during that block and made way for Martin Zubimendi at half-time. However, within 70 seconds Spain had taken the lead, as Lamine Yamal burst down the right, rolled across and Nico Williams was given too much space for the angled drive from nine yards.
Spain strike first 🎯
Lamine Yamal sets up Nico Williams who slots it past Jordan Pickford 🇪🇸#ESPENG #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/uQOJZNq4WT
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2024
Nico Williams was again in so much space moments later, but Dani Olmo scuffed the finish wide, then Morata beat Jordan Pickford only for it to be cleared by Stones in the six-yard box.
Both Nico Williams and Bellingham drilled wide from the edge of the area, while Jordan Pickford got down to palm a Lamine Yamal curler round the post.
A weak Mikel Oyarzabal finish allowed England to counter rapidly with Bukayo Saka, as Bellingham laid it off for Cole Palmer to sweep into the far bottom corner off the inside of the left boot. The Chelsea midfielder had only been on the pitch for two minutes.
COLD PALMER 🥶
ENGLAND ARE LEVEL!#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/dkSBpfzr18
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2024
Spain put together a fantastic passing move with Nico Williams and Oyarzabal, but Pickford made the save on Lamine Yamal’s finish.
They did restore their lead at the 86th minute with another well-worked move, as Oyarzabal spread it out to Marc Cucurella, who rolled it back across for him to come sliding in from six yards.
Wow… Spain take the lead again in the 86th minute 😲#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/j0SPEq2wso
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2024
England had an extraordinary triple chance to equalise on a corner, but the first Declan Rice header was parried by Unai Simon, the second from Marc Guehi cleared off the line by Dani Olmo and the third by Rice turned over.
SO close to an England equaliser! 😱#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/KHyUfhtYnc
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2024
Spain 2-1 England
Williams 47 (S), Palmer 73 (E), Oyarzabal 86 (S)
Player statistic
| 25' |  |
Harry Kane | ||
| Dani Olmo | |
31' |
| Nico Williams (Assist: Lamine Yamal) |
 |
47' | ||
| 53' | |
John Stones | ||
| 73' | |
Cole Palmer (Assist: Jude Bellingham) | ||
| Mikel Oyarzabal (Assist: Marc Cucurella) |
|
86' | ||
| 90+2' | |
Ollie Watkins |
Match statistic
what are you saying spain has 3 euros back to back and a world cup italy 1968 2020 2 euros look how far apart in europe this is were we are today
5-1 wouldn’t have flattered Spain. on a whole other level. England are the epitome of average.
Stolen
English tears are the sweetest