Spain defeated England by two goals to one in a pulsating final to win their fourth title setting a record as the most successful team in the European championship, they are also the defending Euro nations league champion and the most successful team in both, also equaling Portugal as dual (won the European championship in 2016 and the inaugural Euro nations league in 2019) champion.
Calm and confident
La Roja started the tournament in ominous form when they swept aside Croatia, a team they defeated on penalties at the Euro nations league finals last year beating them by three goals to nil with unai Simon saving a spot kick, they defeated Italy in a repeat of the semifinals of the previous European championship by an odd goal. the victory over the defending champions highlighted their title credentials and qualified them for the second round with a game to spare, by beating Albania by the same scoreline, they topped their group without conceding a goal and scoring five, it was an assured performance, a display of calm and confidence making the football world take notice. They were the only team from the group stage with a perfect win percentage. They achieved it with an attractive style of play.
A masterclass at the knockout stages
In the second round match they took on Georgia led by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the debutants stunned Portugal (2016 champions) in their last group match and scored an early goal, this was the first goal conceded by the Spanish although it was an own goal, but it was an awakening and Spain did respond emphatically, the outstanding midfield trio of Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Olmo scored to put the game beyond them with the exciting Nico Williams scoring his first goal and Spain`s third goal, he was the man of the match against Italy, and in this encounter, he provided an assist with a 100% pass accuracy, a first at the tournament. While the other heavyweights were struggling, Italy (1968 and 2020 champions) crashing out to Switzerland and France (1984,2000 champions) scrapping thru by a lone goal against Belgium. England escaped by the narrowest of margins with a very late equalizer against Slovakia (1976 champions formerly Czechoslovakia) and a winner in extra time. Portugal went to penalties against Slovenia with Costa stopping three spot kicks which was a record for the most saves in a penalty shootout at this tournament.
The quarter finals had two intriguing and high profile matches with a repeat of the 2016 finals between France and Portugal, with the Blues getting some sort of revenge in a scrappy encounter but the match billed as the final before the finals was a super clash between the two best sides of the tournament Spain(1964,2008,2012) and Germany(1972,1980,1996 the first two as West Germany and the last as Germany), a repeat of the 2008 finals, a battle of the teams with the most appearances(Spain with 11 and Germany with 13)interestingly both favorites had the most titles and a semifinal berth will provide an opportunity to add another title.
The host made it a physical affair to try to disrupt the rhythm and fluidity of the Spanish but got a resistance from a team that had evolved beyond tiki taka and elegance and were now more adaptable with a direct and physical dimension which enabled them to be encompassing having a ruthlessness that was not usually associated with them, They capitalized on the end to end flow of the game, scoring first in the sixth minute of the second half thru Olmo an early replacement for Pedri and adding another during extra time when he turned provider for Merino, to set up another mouthwatering encounter with the French, conquerors of Portugal on penalties. the Germans had equalized thru their own substitute Wirtz in the 89th minute. with the victory they equaled both previous winners France (1984) and Italy (2020) with five consecutive victories. Interestingly they had France and a chance to set a new record for most matches won. Their victory over the host was a milestone, the first time in 10 attempts in both the European championship and the world cup.
It was an encounter which started with attempts from both ends with France taking the lead in the 9th minute Kolo Muani was the scorer, their first goal in this tournament from open play with a delightful assist from Mbappe, Spain equalized in the 21st minute and went ahead within four minutes Yamal with a beautiful equalizer which had all the qualities for goal of the tournament and Olmo with his third successive goal at the euros, a Spanish record. It was a first semifinal loss by France since 1996, they had won two at the euros 2000 and 2016, four times at the world cup 1998,2006,2018 and 2022 and once at the euro nations league 2020/2021.A seven-match winning streak meanwhile England played their best football in defeating Netherland (1988 champion) and set up a grand finale. the four semifinalists were football powerhouses with all of them reaching the world cup finals France (1998,2006,2018,2022) Netherlands (1974,1978,2010) Spain (2010) England (1966) while at the European championship all had also reached the finals France(1984,2000,2016) Spain(1964,1984,2008,2012) England(2020) Netherland(1988) both the other semifinalist Netherland had not won the world cup while England had not won the euros, when the three lions won by two goals to one, the finals had a lot of prospects. Two former world champions, both were even semifinalist at the last European championship, Spain tournament favorites against England which were seemingly beginning to peak at the right time.
Spain was trying to pull away from Germany as the sole leader with the most titles, with the Euro nations league title already in the bag, buoyed by the Wimbledon title win of Carlos Alcaraz a couple of hours ago his fourth major, the English were poised to win after narrowly losing to Italy in the previous edition. both teams had European champions at club level with Spain boasting of Carvajal and Joselu and England la Liga player of the season Bellingham scorer of the sublime comeback acrobatic goal in the second round and as then the front runner for the ballon D`Or they also had EPL player of the season Foden and the Bundesliga best striker in Kane with a defensive stronghold led by Manchester City`s Stones and Walker, Spain had their City strongman in midfield Rodri, the dynamic and impressive duo at both wings Yamal and Willams with Ruiz and Olmo dictating from midfield. it was a clash that both were capable of winning with a single flash of inspiration.
The match started like a game of chess with both sides sizing each other but with Spain imposing their attack incrementally with a reward in the 47th minute of the second half with the two youngsters, as creators and scorers Yamal feeding Williams to supply the finish, the pattern for the goal was a core of concern for both teams’ strategy which will determine the outcome of the match. it was one of the key battles that will separate the winner from the loser. it was obvious that this setback will galvanize the English, in all their knockout matches they trailed by a goal and made the most of it another determinant of this encounter. When Palmer came in and scored just three minutes later ably assisted by Real Madrid’s Bellingham, it was as if another trend was unfolding towards a historic victory for the three Lions but La Roja had a willingness to compete, a resolute resolve which the Germans and then the French victories in the previous matches helped to strengthen, they pounced in the 86th minute when it was as if Southgate was preparing for penalties, Oyarzabal poked in the winner from a cross from the ever improving Cucurella. towards the final minutes, Spain cleared the line almost in succession with Simon and then Olmo from Rice and then Guehi`s headers it was a defining moment for both sides, all the strategic themes that will decide the match clearly resolved. In all honesty the better team won the tournament
What we can learn from Spain
Spain had the most players in the team of the tournament-Rodri,Ruiz,Olmo,Williams,Yamal and Cucurella. won the MVP of the tournament Rodri, Man of the match category; Williams, best goal; Yamal, he also won the best youngest player award even younger than Pele at 16 years 362 days old. they also had Olmo amongst the joint top scorers and again Top assist provider Yamal. They played with a togetherness, fearlessness and team spirit which always prevails against any adversity while the English had inhibitions, a conservatism that held on to good fortune which dried up as they progressed. The new champions set a record for the most goals by a champion with fifteen and won all seven matches played yet another record. This great team, which was built by De la Fuente, leading them to EURO glory at Under-19 level in 2015 and the U21s in the 2019 European Championship, his success over the years had some of those players notably Olmo, Rodri, Merino, Oyarzabal and Ruiz. This is likely another era of domination for the Spanish, only a few will bet against the European Champions wining the world cup if they continue at this level. currently, they are the defending female world champions, winning both titles will be uniquely historic indeed.
