Spain have been crowned as Euro 2024 champions, deservedly beating England in a pulsating final in Berlin this evening.
After so much hype in the buildup to the game, the first half was a rather pedestrian affair. Spain dominated in terms of possession, although they lacked a cutting
In saying that, the second half was a much livelier spectacle. Spain would take the lead right after the restart, with Nico Williams finishing off a brilliant team move.
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
GOAL SPAIN
🇪🇸 1-0 🏴
Just a minute into the second half as Yamal and Williams combine to give Spain the lead #Euro2024
📺@rte2 and @rteplayer 👉https://t.co/ZfldwHUA2l
📱 Match updates 👉 https://t.co/IIRTDMrpRx pic.twitter.com/jaZsO0upTA— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 14, 2024
The Spanish seized control of the game at this point, creating a number opportunities to extend their lead. The likes of Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal would both come close to finding a second.
England would never quite manage to gain a foothold in the game, failing to produced many chances of note. However, Cole Palmer would produce a goal out of nowhere just a few minutes after being introduced as a substitute.
GOAL ENGLAND
🇪🇸 1-1 🏴
Once again Cole Palmer proves his worth as an impact sub, finding the bottom corner to draw England level #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/Pv4foWs7l9— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 14, 2024
While you may have expected England to push on from that position, that was not the case. They would retreat into their shell once again, inviting pressure from the opposition.
Spain would reassert their dominance, going on to deservedly retake the lead in the final few minutes of the game.
GOAL SPAIN
🇪🇸 2-1 🏴
Spain strike late through a sub of their own. After a lengthy VAR check, Mikel Oyarzabal's goal is given #Euro2024
📺@rte2 and @rteplayer 👉https://t.co/ZfldwHUA2l
📱 Match updates 👉 https://t.co/IIRTDMrpRx pic.twitter.com/VsD3FVkGbY— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 14, 2024
In the end, that was enough to secure the result for Spain. For England, it was yet another missed opportunity in a major final.
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Roy Keane sums up England after Euro 2024 final defeat
There can be no arguments with the winners of Euro 2024. Not only were Spain the best team on the night, they have been the most dominant side right throughout the tournament.
In contrast, England never managed to hit those heights. They scraped through the group stages and knockout rounds, benefitting from an incredibly kind draw to go all the way to the final. Tonight, they fell short when facing top quality opposition for the first time.
Speaking on ITV after the game, Roy Keane gave a brutally honest assessment of where England came up short in this game and throughout Euro 2024 in general.
The best team won tonight. They were the best team throughout the tournament...
I think tonight [England] lacked quality. They've lacked quality throughout the tournament. It was probably fight and desire, options off the bench that got them to this final.
Top level sport is brutal. We've lost big games, and sometimes the opposition are just better than you. Spain were excellent...
You have to step back and be humble. It's great to win, but when you're beaten by the better team, take your medicine and regroup and go again...
You go home, see your family, go on holiday, you're back in pre-season in a couple of weeks. You have to go again...
The real frustration for England will be that they've given their all. After the game when they got beaten, they'll think 'did we give it our best?'
They haven't given their best the last few games, they got away with it. Eventually, they got found out.
It's difficult to argue with that assessment.
England were fortunate to reach the Euro 2024 final and were ultimately well outplayed tonight. While Spain did require a late goal to get over the line, they were full value for their victory.
As for England, this defeat will take quite some time to recover from.
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