Jul 15, 2024
Mikel Oyarzabal, who came on as a substitute, netted a thrilling goal in the dying moments of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday. His strike secured a 2-1 victory for Spain over England, reaffirming the Spanish team's resurgence as a powerhouse in international football.
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England had been dreaming of winning a first title in almost six decades and it looked as if it could be their night as Spain lost influential midfielder Rodri to injury at half-time.
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Yet Spain shrugged that off to take the lead within two minutes of the restart through Nico Williams, who was set up by his fellow star winger, Lamine Yamal.
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England came from behind as they have done so often at this Euros, substitute Cole Palmer driving in the equaliser on 73 minutes, moments after entering the fray.
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But their resurgence in the game was cut short when Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad forward, turned in a cross in the 86th minute to hand Spain a record fourth European Championship crown, and a third in the last five editions.
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Spain previously won in 1964, 2008 and 2012, the last two titles coming either side of their triumph at the 2010 World Cup during the golden era of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta.
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England had hoped to finally claim a first men's international title since their fabled victory at the 1966 World Cup, but fell just short in their first ever final on foreign soil.
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Captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, is left at the age of 30 still looking for the first trophy of a career so rich in goals.
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"To lose the final is incredibly tough," said their manager, Gareth Southgate.
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The current squad, spearheaded by the prodigious Lamine Yamal who took to the field just one day after his 17th birthday, has triumphed in EURO 2024, a victory that was undoubtedly well-deserved and fitting.
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