Spain secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, thanks to a late goal by Mikel Oyarzabal in the 86th minute. This triumph marks Spain’s record fourth European Championship win.

The match began with a tense and uneventful first half. However, Spain quickly shifted gears after halftime. Nico Williams broke the deadlock in the 47th minute with a clinical finish from a precise Yamine Lamal pass. England, undeterred, fought back with substitute Cole Palmer equalizing in the 73rd minute, shortly after coming on for Kobbie Mainoo.

As the game neared its conclusion, Oyarzabal came off the bench and scored the decisive goal, converting a pass from Marc Cucurella. This late strike condemned Gareth Southgate’s England to their second consecutive European final defeat, following their penalty loss to Italy in Euro 2020.

Despite Harry Kane’s efforts before being substituted for Ollie Watkins, England couldn’t overcome Spain’s dominance. The English side showed determination, with Palmer’s equalizer showcasing their fighting spirit, but ultimately, they fell short.

Spain’s victory capped a perfect tournament run, with seven straight wins in the finals. For England, the wait for a major trophy continues, extending their drought to 58 years. The defeat highlights the need for introspection and evolution in their playing style, as their conservative approach was exposed against a more dynamic Spanish team.

Gareth Southgate acknowledged the shortcomings, stating, “We didn’t keep possession of the ball well enough. They had more control of the game, and that can wear you down a bit. As always in these games, it is fine margins, but I think they were the best team in the tournament and overall they deserved to win.”

England’s path to the final was marked by narrow escapes and moments of fortune, including a last-minute goal from Jude Bellingham against Slovakia and a VAR-assisted penalty against the Netherlands. However, their limitations were evident against Spain, who proved to be the superior side.

The inquest into England’s performance and future direction will undoubtedly begin as Spain celebrates their remarkable achievement at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.