Historical past was on the road as Spain took on England within the ultimate of the 2024 European Championship (EURO 2024) on the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday, July 14. With a win, La Roja would have change into the primary group in historical past to assert 4 European Championships. England, in the meantime, would have conquered Europe for the primary time, claiming their first trophy since their maiden FIFA World Cup win in 1966.
The very best group of the event, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain, in the end had the final giggle, claiming a 2-1 victory over the highly-rated Englishmen. Nico Williams scored the opening purpose for La Roja early within the first half, which Cole Palmer canceled out with a stellar strike within the 73rd minute. Then, with 4 minutes left to play, Mikel Oyarzabal scored the successful purpose, poking the ball previous England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from shut vary.
Beneath, we’ll briefly assessment the performances we noticed within the EURO 2024 ultimate and record out three gamers who lived as much as expectations and two who underperformed. Let’s start!
Carried out: Cole Palmer
England boss Gareth Southgate made an attacking substitution within the seventieth minute, bringing on Cole Palmer for Kobbie Mainoo. The complete complexion of the sport modified within the following couple of minutes, as England began to look much more threatening down the large areas.
Solely three minutes after approaching, Palmer scored a gem of a purpose to equalize for England, passing the ball into the bottom-left nook of the Spanish purpose from exterior the field. Shockingly, Palmer and Co. didn’t get the prospect to construct on their benefit, with the Three Lions retreating to their very own half shortly after scoring.
The purpose apart, Palmer created an opportunity, performed two passes into the ultimate third, and gained two floor duels.
Underperformed: Harry Kane
Ignoring options to offer his beginning berth to Ollie Watkins, Gareth Southgate fielded England captain Harry Kane within the ultimate in opposition to Spain. Nevertheless, the decision didn’t pay dividends, as Kane minimize a pissed off determine on the high of the English assault. He was caught on his heels repeatedly, which made it simple for Spanish defenders to mark him. He additionally lacked creativity on Sunday, failing to create even a single likelihood in opposition to La Roja.
Earlier than coming off for Ollie Watkins within the 61st minute, Kane solely accomplished 5 passes and touched the ball simply as soon as contained in the opposition field. He additionally misplaced 5 of the seven duels he contested in and dedicated a foul.
Carried out: Nico Williams
Spain’s jet-heeled left-winger Nico Williams had a sensational sport in opposition to England. Regardless of going through the quickest man in Premier League historical past, Kyle Walker, Williams had loads of pleasure down the flank, scoring a belter of a purpose and creating three possibilities.
Williams opened the scoring for Spain within the forty seventh minute, making use of a first-time end to Lamine Yamal’s low cross from the left and sending the ball into the bottom-right nook. He additionally delivered two correct crosses and three lengthy balls and made seven recoveries. Due to his heroics, Williams took residence the Participant of the Match award for the ultimate.
Underperformed: Phil Foden
One other England star whom many followers and pundits needed dropped for the ultimate, Phil Foden had an abysmal outing in opposition to Spain. Regardless of getting the license to roam, Foden by no means fairly managed to get into the motion and easily watched the sport move him by.
In 89 minutes, the 2023-24 Premier League Participant of the Season accomplished 16 passes and did not create even one goalscoring alternative. His solely shot of the evening was heading in the right direction however didn’t bother Unai Simon.
Carried out: Marc Cucurella
Lamine Yamal may have simply been the final identify on this record, however since we now have already given his share of the limelight, we needed to call one other participant who was equally, if no more, good in opposition to England.
Marc Cucurella, the left-back whom Gary Neville known as the weakest hyperlink of this Spanish group, offered the successful help to Mikel Oyarzabal within the 86th minute, underneath large strain from Kyle Walker. Beating the Manchester Metropolis man in a footrace, Cucurella despatched a low cross into the English field, permitting Oyarzabal to faucet in from shut vary.
Cucurella additionally didn’t put a foot fallacious in protection, finishing 35 of 38 passes with 92% accuracy, making two interceptions, and finishing two clearances.
