A new display of faith once morest any world champion they were put up once morest, Spain rising from England’s equaliser and the injury of their leader, Rodri, striking first with Nico Williams’ goal, equalising with Cole Palmer as punishment for an error and returning to glory twelve years later with Mikel Oyarzabal’s dream goal, to be the only team to win four editions of the Euro Cup. That happened on Sunday in Berlin, when La Roja beat The Three Lions 2-1 in the Grand Final of Germany 2024.
Spain had already won before the final. To get the country hooked on its national team once more. To wear the shirt with the same pride with which it was boasted in the greatest period of glory between 2008 and 2012. It seemed unattainable but the conquest of the League of Nations, enhanced by the Euro Cup, places the new generation on another path to glory unthinkable in the eleven-year journey that separated points from success.
Rodri’s team, whose injury presented an even greater challenge. The one that exploits the extremes like no one else with Yamal and Nico. The one with the fury represented by Dani Carvajal. But also by Morata, a 9 who defended once more with the intensity of a defender. The one with Dani Olmo as a differential factor who was decisive on this occasion, avoiding the equaliser in his area. An identity that was difficult to show on the key day. In a final, a minimal error decides. The match that shows who knows how to compete. As Spain did in the second half.
No one can judge Gareth Southgate, who is once once more a Euro finalist, by his results. If he had won, no one would remember his footballing commitment, the way he achieved success. The defeat can be blamed for the waste of quality he had made. His suffering along the way, always on the edge, with two extra times and even penalties, took its toll on him. Exhausted by a season that seemed long to his players, he felt so far behind Spain in this aspect that he planned a long match and ended up losing his second consecutive final.
The historic Red
No one before Spain has had a similar path to glory (winning all seven of their matches), defeating every world champion with absolute conviction in their football.
Visualizing success before starring in it. Understanding decisive game actions in each match. Against England it was a test of patience to not lose his order and of adapting to his ability to adapt to different registers. And it cost him to the point of becoming disfigured in the first act. Without finding in the extremes the danger that he felt safe with Yamal and Nico. The reunion was lethal.
The tension was palpable. The final was not spectacular for 45 minutes because England prevented it. Their strength was a counterpoint to the Spanish virtuosity until the big event.
With the majority of the crowd supporting any of Walker’s runs, but without the players who should make the difference, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham. Without balls to Harry Kane who, when he hooked the ball, found himself up once morest a wall called Rodri. An extra effort to avoid the goal that cost him the final.
Unproductivity iberian
Spain fell into an unproductive possession because they were never able to run. When they tried, they crashed into a retreat that nullified any attempt. Stones saved a Nico bicycle play, Fabián took the only shot on goal in the first half, in the 28th minute, which was rejected and did not pose a threat to Pickford.
It was a guerrilla final that did not interest Spain. Studied, minimized in each retreat. Despite not shining stars of the level of Foden or Bukayo Saka, their ability to punish the error is indisputable. Carvajal made it in the action that ended with Rodri’s expensive toll. He cut off Kane’s shot at the cost of a muscular mishap that kept him out of the game. England had barely gotten there with a shot from Foden appearing by surprise at the far post.
The most difficult thing yet for Luis De la Fuente was to win the final without the player who exercises leadership. Zubimendi accepted the challenge of replacing Rodri and showed personality. Instead of fearing, Spain took the step that the duel demanded thanks to its two great sensations. Yamal appeared between the lines, found Nico, Walker arrived late, and immediately, with a precise left-footed shot from a right-footed player whose life Ernesto Valverde changed by making him play with his wrong foot, he added his name to the prestigious list of Spanish scorers in Euro finals.
The two ‘guilty’ players behind the change in style that De la Fuente is supporting were bursting with energy. As happened once morest France, they were able to knock down their rival in three minutes. Lamine Yamal, the tournament’s top assist-maker with four assists at just 17 years old, let go of the chain, Nico found Olmo who missed by crossing his shot too far with everything to score. It was the verdict.
Changed scenario
The scenario had already changed for England. What they had shown up to then would not serve them, forced to propose and increase risks that Yamal enjoyed. Unaware of the dimension of the match, he broke free from the wing to invent Álvaro Morata’s movement into space. As wilful as he was unsuccessful in the one-on-one with Pickford. In an action prolonged by a whiplash from Nico. Enough to have closed the final with the punch that was longed for.
Because Gareth Southgate’s move paid off when he ignored the rules to take Kane off the field for Ollie Watkins. The star of one of England’s resurrections changed the dynamic of the final half hour with a first warning from the edge of the box. With the risks he was running in the spaces to Yamal who had a chance on a counterattack but crashed into Pickford.
The outcome would be on a par with the Spanish tournament. Punished from an error, due to Marc Cucurella’s audacity following a first-time shot by Oyarzabal, who had given the relief to Morata. The space behind him caused an equaliser in a way that should never have been granted. Surprised in transition when Jude passed with his back to goal to the arrival of Palmer who placed it where Unai Simón might not reach.
Tension on the court
There were 17 minutes left and a new final began with the threat of extra time that no one was interested in. Once once more Spain recovered from a shock, as it had every time it had been hit in the tournament.
Yamal had missed another clear chance by securing the shot and running into Jordan Pickford when football and De la Fuente’s blind faith in Oyarzabal found its reward. Cucurella made up for his mistake by attacking his wing and his tense cross appeared with everything Oyarzabal might muster to embrace glory.
This time there was no miracle for the English. They came close to it with two headers in a flash of lightning in added time. The first was repelled by Unai Simón. The second was saved on the line by Dani Olmo to be celebrated as a goal. Spain were already European champions.
The Euro Cup of Luis de la Fuente, a winner with all his bets, even with the insistence of Oyarzabal. The fourth Euro Cup, the first of a generation that has also overcome unimaginable challenges.
Berlin / EFE
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2024-07-15 14:37:47
