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Highs and Lows Of The Euro 2024 Final

Jul 15, 2024

Spain have capped a remarkable run at Euro 2024 to emerge champions after a dramatic 2-1 win over England in the final.

The Spaniards went ahead through Nico Williams after 47 minutes, only for Cole Palmer to draw the Three Lions level in the 73^rd minute.

Mikel Oyarzabal then came off the bench to net the winner four minutes from time, much to the delight of the Spanish contingent.

It put the cherry on top what has been a truly dominant performance by La Roja all tournament.

Records tumble

Spain are now the first team to win four Euro’s titles overall, after earlier victories in 1964, 2008 and 2012.

Their victory in the final also ensures they come away with a 100% record – making them the first team to lift the trophy with seven wins from seven games.

(Image: Spain Official X account)

That’s an impressive entry in the resume of Luis de la Fuente, who is now the first manager to win the Euro’s with Spain in three different age groups…having previously done so with the Under-19 and Under-21 squads.

There was also a place in the record books for 17-year-old phenomenon Lamine Yamal.

He’s now the youngest player ever (by several months) to win either the Euro’s or World Cup…breaking the previous mark set by legend Pele.

Yamal is already the youngest player to feature at the Euro’s and the youngest to score.

No surprises then that he bagged the Young Player Of The Tournament award.

Spain also made a clean sweep of the other individual honours.

Midfielder Rodri was named Player of the Tournament, Nico Williams was the final’s Man of the Match, while Dani Olmo was among six players who shared the Golden Boot award as the tournament’s top scorer.

Same sad story for the Three Lions

There was no fairytale finish for England, who’ve now lost two successive Euro finals.

Their agonizing 58-year wait for a major international trophy also continues.

Despite all the hype by the British media, Gareth Southgate’s side were far from their best all tournament.

(Image: England Official X account)

Some will consider them lucky to have even made it out of the group stage (winning just one game and drawing two) and they needed penalties to get past Switzerland.

They appeared to have turned the tide with a semifinal win over the Netherlands, but all their shortcomings were on display once again against a clinical and well-organized Spanish side.

It remains to be seen if Southgate stays on for another potential shot at glory at the 2026 World Cup.

During his eight-year reign, England have made two successive Euro finals, plus a World Cup semifinal and quarterfinal appearance in 2018 and 2022 respectively.

Some may argue that’s a respectable record, but his lack of trophies is glaring, especially when you consider the sky-high expectations of the football-mad British public.