England failed to bring football home once again, as Spain won a record-breaking Euro 2024 title with a 2-1 victory over the Three Lions in Sunday's unforgettable final in Berlin.
In a first half that epitomised how much of a rather dull competition has gone, both sides cancelled each other out effectively, although La Roja enjoyed the lion's share of the ball, just without the killer penetration.
However, Luis de la Fuente's men needed just two minutes of the second half to breach an England backline suddenly at sixes and sevens, as a hitherto stunted Lamine Yamal teed up fellow wing wizard Nico Williams to ruthlessly fire home past Jordan Pickford.
What Williams could do, though, Cole Palmer could do better, as the Chelsea starlet drew England level in the 73rd minute with a slick finish from outside the box, but fellow substitute Mikel Oyarzabal responded with the crown-clinching moment.
The Real Sociedad winger only just beat the offside trap to tap in from a few yards out in the dying embers, and despite England's final throws of the dice, the Three Lions were left crestfallen in another European Championship final as Spain were crowned kings of the continent for the fourth time.
Devastating Yamal-Williams link-up for Spain opener
🇪🇸 SPAIN LEAD IN THE EUROPEAN FINAL! 🇪🇸
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 14, 2024
A lightning-fast start! ⚡️#ESPENG | #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/xlVffkulJm
Gareth Southgate made the risky call to promote Luke Shaw to the starting lineup in England's only change for the semi-final, sparking some concern about how the old hamstrings would hold up against Yamal.
Instead, the Manchester United man was unbeatable against the 17-year-old wonderkid, who was running out of ideas to beat Shaw in the first half, where Williams eventually came out to the other side to double up on the full-back - role reversal indeed.
However, as Yamal was temporarily freed from the shackles of Shaw in the second half, he had a devastating impact, intelligently letting the ball run across his body and picking out the run of Williams, who could not have taken his finish with any more aplomb.
Palmer levels with panache before Oyarzabal clincher
ENGLAND ARE RIGHT BACK IN THIS! 🏴
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 14, 2024
COLE PALMER PUTS THE THREE LIONS LEVEL! 💥#ESPENG | #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/nauFRA1L88
After Williams's opener, Spain carved out chance after chance against a beleaguered England backline, forcing Southgate to bite the bullet and make some early changes, including taking Harry Kane off just after the hour.
Kobbie Mainoo was also sacrificed for Cole Palmer, who had a telling impact with the assist for Ollie Watkins's semi-final winner and proved his worth within just a few minutes, stroking home a beautiful equaliser from Jude Bellingham's smart pass.
Oyarzabal timed his run to perfection 👌#ESPENG | #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/oSZtVlKizM
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 14, 2024
However, Palmer had simply prodded the Spanish bear, as De la Fuente's men quickly restored order and threw on an attacking substitute of their own in Oyarzabal, who would come up with the historic moment that won Spain their fourth Euros title.
Marc Cucurella was given far too much space down the left to pick his pass - despite pressure from Kyle Walker - and Oyarzabal got goal-side of Guehi, just about managed to beat the offside trap and could not miss from a few yards out, etching La Roja's name onto the Henri Delaunay trophy once again.
Is this the end for Gareth Southgate?
© Reuters
While Southgate broke a desired record by becoming the first England manager to lead the men's team to two major tournament finals, he is now the first coach to lose consecutive European Championship showpiece matches.
The 53-year-old witnessed another indifferent performance from his side for the most part - Spain were certainly the deserved victors on the evening - and many feel that Sunday's heartbreaking loss will close Southgate's England chapter.
The ex-Middlesbrough boss is only under contract until the end of the calendar year, although the FA are supposedly keen for him to continue in his post until the 2026 World Cup, having overseen a monumental period of progress.
However, it feels as if Southgate has now taken England as far as they can go, and after another evening of gut-wrenching heartache, the time is surely nigh for the Three Lions boss to step aside.
What next for Spain and England?
This one hurts... 😢#Euro2024 | #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/37Ldjkwmn6
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 14, 2024
After Spain's lengthy celebrations cease, De la Fuente's side will turn their attention to the defence of another of their continental titles - the UEFA Nations League - tackling Denmark, Serbia and Switzerland in the top tier of the competition.
Meanwhile, England - who may or may not still be under Southgate's tutelage by the time September rolls around - push their latest heartbreak to one side to try to return to League A of the Nations League before building up to the 2026 World Cup, where the Three Lions' young prospects will be two years older, and indeed wiser.
Ben Knapton
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