Mikel Oyarzabal netted a 86th minute winner as Spain beat England 2-1 to clinch a fourth Euros title.
Oyarzabal slid in from Marc Cucurella’s 86th low return pass to seal a fourth Euros title for Spain, who had taken the lead through Nico Williams’ 47th minute strike from Lamine Yamal’s short pass into the box.
Cole Palmer had offered England hope with a 73rd minute equaliser from Jude Bellingham’s lay-off pass, as the Three Lions’ wait for a first Euros title continues.
Speaking post-match to ITV, England captain, Harry Kane struggled to express his disappointment at more heartbreak in missing out on a title.
“It’s hard to put into words how we’re all feeling right now. Tough game. We did well to get back into the game and struggled to build on that. To concede late on is really tough to take.
“We’ve been coming from behind all tournament, we’ve got it in the locker. We didn’t take the next step and win it.”
Kane added that he is pained at this latest wasted chance to win a title as he continued: “It’s an opportunity missed. These finals aren’t easy to get to. You have to take it when it comes and we haven’t done it again. It’s extremely painful and it’ll hurt for a long time.”
Considered favourites heading into this showpiece, Spain immediately made a pressing start on the front foot but England more than matched them defensively in the opening 12 minutes.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions however got lucky in the 13th minute as Williams’ corner was nodded down by Rodri towards Robin Le Normand, but the French-born defender smashed his shot wide as Spain continued to press.
Spain’s teenage superstar, Yamal then put a 23rd minute shot into the side-netting as the three-time champions again enjoyed the better end product.
Fabian Ruiz was the next Spaniard to try and break England’s defence five minutes later but his shot was deflected by Marc Guehi into Jordan Pickford’s arms.
Spain’s dominance continued until half-time despite England’s attempts to counter-attack which largely came to nothing, until a free-kick in first-half injury-time was volleyed onto goal by Phil Foden but straight into Unai Simon’s arms as the half finished goalless.
Rodri however picked up a knock during the incident which led to England’s set-piece and was substituted for Martin Zubimendi at half-time.
Spain however weren’t fazed by Rodri’s enforced substitution as barely 70 seconds into the second half, they took the lead through Williams’ strike after Yamal was allowed to break forward and cut in from the right to play across for the incoming left-winger to rifle in.
Dani Olmo then fired wide in the 49th minute from a half-turn shot after he was teed up by Williams, before Ruiz intercepted a pass from Declan Rice and fired low past the left corner as Spain hunted for a second goal.
England eventually found a spark in the 64th minute as Jude Bellingham won possession just outside of the box, yet could only bend his shot marginally wide of the left corner.
Southgate meanwhile had hooked Harry Kane just past the hour-mark for Ollie Watkins and Kobbie Mainoo followed suit in the 68th minute, as Palmer came on in the midfielder’s place.
That latter substitution paid off barely five minutes later as Bukayo Saka cut back to Bellingham but the 21 year-old laid off a pass for Palmer to smash low into the far-left corner from 22 yards to restore parity.
Palmer’s strike also saw him make history as the youngest substitute to score in a Euros final at 22 years and 69 days, as well as the first sub to score an equaliser in the showpiece since Sylvain Wiltord in 2000 as France on that occasion came from behind to beat Italy in extra-time.
Pickford meanwhile kept England in the game with a 82nd minute block of Yamal’s shot from close-range inside the box.
Spain continued to press for a winner to avoid extra time and duly got their reward late in the 86th minute as the ball was played out to Cucurella by Oyarzabal, who slid the return pass in beyond Pickford’s reach to restore La Roja’s lead.
John Stones, Rice then Guehi saw headers denied from a 90th minute corner as Spain clung on to become the first team to win four Euros titles.
Shortly after the final whistle, UK’s King Charles III sent the following message to England to congratulate them on another strong tournament, amidst their heartbreak in the final.
“Although victory may have eluded you this evening, nevertheless my wife and I join all my family in urging you and your support team to hold your heads high. All those who have participated in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly despairing such a result can feel when the prize was so near – and will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain.
“But please know that your success in reaching the European Championship final is a really great achievement in itself, and one that brings with it the pride of a nation which will continue to roar for the Three Lions today – and in the many triumphs which I have no doubt lie ahead.
Charles R”
Teams
Spain – Unai Simon, Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand (Nacho 83′), Aymeric Laporte, Marco Cucurella, Rodri (Zubimendi 46′), Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal (Merino 89′), Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Alvaro Morata (Oyarzabal 68′)
Substitutes: Alex Baena, Nacho, Alex Grimaldo, Fermin Lopez, Joselu, Mikel Merino, Jesus Navas, Mikel Oyarzabal, David Raya, Alex Remiro, Ferran Torres, Daniel Vivian, Martin Zubimendi
England – Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo (Palmer 70′), Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden (Toney 89′), Harry Kane (Watkins 61′)
Substitutes: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrod Bowen, Lewis Dunk, Eberechi Eze, Conor Gallagher, Joe Gomez, Anthony Gordon, Dean Henderson, Ezri Konsa, Cole Palmer, Aaron Ramsdale, Ivan Toney, Kiernan Trippier, Ollie Watkins, Adam Wharton
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