What we learned from a rollercoaster EURO 2024 Final between England & Spain

On Sunday, Spain defeated England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 Final to capture their fourth European title. Spain’s fourth title is now the most in European history, eclipsing Germany’s three.

Spain’s victory also saw them finish Euro 2024 undefeated. During their road to the final, “La Roja” defeated Croaita, Italy, Albania, Georgia, Germany, and France. Only England stood in their way to European glory, and Spain gave the Three Lions their second consecutive loss in the Euro final.

EURO 2024 Final: How it Happened

The first half ended scoreless, but Spain controlled the pace. Dominating in possession, Spain found countless chances from Nico Williams, but England’s defense stood tall.

Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old Spanish sensation, was causing problems on the right side of the pitch, but England’s Luke Shaw kept him at bay.

In the 46′, England nearly found themselves with a 1-0 lead, but Unai Simón denied Phil Foden in the box off a set piece.

At the start of the second half, Spain wasted no time and pounced on England early. In the 47′, Yamal found Williams alone on the left side and fed a pass that the 22-year-old put past Jordan Pickford for his second goal of the tournament. Yamal’s assist, his fourth of the tournament, made him the youngest player to assist in a European final.

In the 61′, Gareth Southgate made his first substitution of the match. Bringing on Ollie Watkins for Harry Kane, England needed a spark from their youngsters. England started to play with more confidence after Spain took the lead, and Jude Bellingham nearly missed an equalizer that went wide of the net.

Looking for added momentum, Southgate brought on Chelsea’s star boy Cole Palmer for Kobbie Mainoo in the 70′. In the 73′, Palmer equalized the match for England, restoring their EURO 2024 hopes.

Bellingham found Palmer at the top of the box and Chelsea’s man sent a shot into the corner with his left foot to level things up.

After England found themselves back in the match, Spain would regain the lead in the 86′. Yamal nearly scored what would have been a game-winner in the 82′, but it was Mikel Oyazabal who was subbed on in the 68′ for Álvaro Morata, who scored the game-winning goal to give Spain their fourth European title.

Oyazabal slipped past John Stones and England’s defense and received a pass from Marc Cucurella that he finished with his right foot.

England almost equalized again from a corner in the 90′, but Dani Olmo saved Spain’s title on the goal line.

Rodri wins Best Player at EURO 2024

Spain’s most crucial midfielder, Rodri, who exited the game after the first half, won the Best Player award for Euro 2024. After winning the Treble in 2022-23 with Manchester City, the Club World Cup, the Premier League in 2023-24, and now the Euro’s, Rodri has seen success at every level of football.

Rodri not returning for the second half was a major blow for Spain’s midfield which was already missing Pedri and Gavi. However, La Roja dealt with the added pressure and claimed another European title.

Lamine Yamal wins Best Young Player

After turning 17 years old on Saturday, Yamal walked away from the tournament with the European title in one hand and the Best Young Player award in the other. He also led the tournament in assists, finishing with four.

A product of FC Barcelona, Yamal has cemented himself as one of the best young players in world football, and his generational talents will be at the forefront of the sport for years to come. 

Are changes coming to England after EURO 2024?

After their second consecutive loss in the Euro final, England leave the tournament shaking their heads and questioning themselves as to what keeps going wrong.

After nearly being eliminated in the round of 16 to Slovakia, narrowly edging Switzerland in the quarter-final, and defeating the Netherlands in the dying minutes of the semi-final, England did not play up to their potential but found themselves in the final yet again. Their EURO 2024 campaign will draw plenty of analysis in the weeks ahead.

Southgate has taken the brunt of criticism from fans and the media for the lack of creativity, substitutions, and play-driving regarding his squad. In what appears to be a “generational” English side, football will not be coming home yet again. Time will tell if England decides to keep Southgate on for the 2026 World Cup, or if there will be a change.