The best one won. There Spain is European champion with merit, in light of a final dominated in the game much more than what the 2-1 final, which was only achieved in the last few minutes. La Roja's supremacy, already evident throughout the tournament, was evident in a very tense 90 minutes, in which England suffered enormously, but still clung to the result. De La Fuente's team returns to win something important after 12 years of waiting, while Southgate's team suffers yet another disappointment, perhaps the most bitter of all.
Spain – England 2-1: Palmer responds to Williams, then Oyarzabal gives the title to La Roja
Let's start by saying that the Spain's victory is not a surprise, in light of a European Championship played great and a final, if possible, played even better. In fact, anyone who thought that tension could level the playing field was left annihilated by La Roja's personality, perfect in interpreting the challenge without any awe, despite the presence of many top players wearing the white jersey.
The England, however, was unable to change pace compared to the other challenges, limiting itself to defending and looking for the goal with some individual play, also weighed down by the pressure of "having to win by force". The country was anxiously awaiting the revenge of 2021, when Mancini's Italy violated Wembley on penalties, but was disappointed once again by a national team that he hasn't won anything since 1966.
Spain confirmed themselves as a real team, even if it is fair to say that the match was open until the end, due to a result in the balance despite the superiority expressed. De La Fuente took control of the match from the start, but after a first half without any particular scoring opportunities (despite 66% ball possession) he changed gear in the second, finding the opening goal after just 2' with Nick Williams, very cold in beating Pickford on an assist from Yamal (47'). At that point it was reasonable to expect a more courageous and privateer England, but instead Southgate's team continued to suffer, so much so that Spain came very close to doubling their lead with Dani Olmo, Morata and Yamal himself, but were unable to find him. The English thus remained alive and in the 73rd minute, after the entrances of Watkins and Palmer for Kane and Mainoo, they found the unexpected draw precisely with the Chelsea attacking midfielder, author of a splendid left-footed shot from outside the area. Spain could have felt the pinch, but instead they started to weave their web again made up of ball possession and sudden verticalisations: on one of these they arrived Oyarzabal's decisive point, who took over from captain Morata shortly before: his insertion following Cucurella's assist chilled Pickford, and when the English met deny the 2-2 from saves by Unai Simón (Rice's header) and Dani Olmo (on Guehi), it was understood that the title would fly towards Madrid. London, after having gored Alcaraz at Wimbledon, also bows in football, postponing the appointment once again with a prestigious victory, while Spain enjoys a national team that started quietly and instead climbed to the top of Europe with great merit .
De La Fuente rejoices: “We deservedly won, I'm proud of these guys”
“You can't be happier than that – ha De La Fuente exulted -. Seeing the joy of the fans, the players… It was a wonderful day, a European champion team was crowned with merit. I'm even more proud, we have to improve and we will do it because these players are an example for everyone, they are very good. Yamal and Nico Williams? They are two players and two wonderful boys, they must continue to grow and do it calmly: we are enjoying them in Spain, they will still give us a lot of satisfaction. Morata? He is our captain, his footballing and human qualities have never been questioned. Indeed, he is not recognized for what he has done, but he is a great player and over time he will be valued as he deserves."
Southgate, yet another disappointment: “Another missed opportunity! My future? Not now…"
“I think Spain was the best team in the tournament – the thought of Southgate -. We didn't hold the ball well enough, but we stayed in the match until the last ten minutes. I'm devastated for everyone, really, the players were absolutely incredible - I'm so proud of what they did... My future? I don't think this is the right time to make a decision like this, I need to talk to the right people, it's not now. Kane's replacement? Physically it was tough for him, he came into the tournament with just a few games and still hasn't reached the level we all would have hoped for. The matches were extremely demanding and we thought that Watkins' freshness would allow us to press better. I think the substitutes did what we asked them to do...".
