It was a match that started very cautiously with two teams waiting.
But Spain came out in the second half as a completely different team, despite star Rodri having to be substituted following a knock, and gasped straight away. Just following two minutes, newly arrived 17-year-old Lamine Yamal found his way to an onrushing Nico Williams who scored the lead goal.
European Championship in soccer
England captain Gareth Southgate made the substitution with 20 minutes remaining and Cole Palmer equalized following being on the pitch for around three minutes.
It seemed to be heading for an extension.
Then Marc Cucurella found substitute Mikel Oyarzabal who put Spain 2-1 in the 86th minute.
The 27-year-old scored the match winner and Spain won their fourth European Championship gold, which means they overtake Germany to become the most champions.
Substitute match winner
Oyarzabal, who was out for a long period with a cruciate ligament injury two years ago, had tears in his eyes during the victory interview.
– I did my job, I did what I have to do, help my team. I was lucky enough to score the decisive goal. When you go through a tough period, you value just being here.
– I am very happy to be standing here following getting through the injury. It was my turn to score, but it was a joint effort. We are a family. I saw that Cucurella was getting ready to hit the ball and I knew I had the upper hand so I pushed the ball in, he says.
See the first two goals of the EC final in the player below.
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Watch Spain and England’s first goals in the match. Photo: TV4 Play.
European Championship
Spain
2 – 1
England
