It's not coming home, not even this time. Once again defeated by the English in the final, Spain wins the European football championships for the fourth time in history , thus becoming the national team with the most titles overall ahead of Germany. Another bitter final for England after the one lost three years ago at Wembley against Italy.
At the Olympiastadion in Berlin , De La Fuente's team prevailed 2-1: all the goals in the second half, Nico Williams opened, Palmer equalized and Oyarzabal decided it 4 minutes from the 90th minute . After a balanced first half without great emotion, the Red Furies took over in the second and achieved a well-deserved triumph.
THE FORMATIONS
Southgate chooses the following starting eleven: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Bellingham, Foden; Kane. De La Fuente responds like this: Unai Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata.
THE NEWS
First half
The first half was intense and very balanced, but devoid of emotion. As expected, Spain plays the game and manages ball possession. England, very attentive and well closed, are immediately ready to start again. The only shot on target in the first 45 minutes came in injury time, it was a harmless volley from Foden after a free kick from the right. For the rest, some attempted attacks on the flanks of the Spaniards were well neutralized by the English defense and some counterattacks by England which they were unable to materialise. Thrill only for a play in the area by Morata, neutralized by Stones, and an error by Carvajal who had the ball stolen by Bellingham, assist for Kane and blocked shot. Both centre-forwards, Harry Kane and Alvaro Morata, were booked.
Second half
We start again with bad news for Spain, who lose their star Rodri to injury, replaced with Zubimendi. But De La Fuente's team is not affected, on the contrary: just over a minute passes and the Spanish lead arrives. Great play from the usual . Immediately afterwards Dani Olmo almost doubled his lead. England feel the pinch, Spain rages and comes very close to scoring twice more in the space of 2 minutes: first Morata wastes one-on-one, then Nico Williams comes close to the post from outside.
