Spain conquered Europe for a record fourth time on Sunday as they beat England to win Euro 2024 and want this historic night to be the beginning of a new period of dominance. Led by young stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, 17 and 22 respectively, many in Luis de la Fuente’s superb side will hit their prime in the years ahead. Between 2008 and 2012 Spain dominated international football, winning the Euros in those years and the 2010 World Cup in the middle. A fallow period followed with Spain falling badly short in most competitions until reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

It was a positive sign but a last 16 defeat by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup spelled the end of Luis Enrique’s reign and the start of what was to come.

No longer dependent on dominating possession, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain play to a wide variety of strengths.

Sometimes they do keep the ball, as in the second half of their semi-final win over pre-tournament favourites France, but are not afraid to go direct, with the speedy and skilful Williams and Yamal duo leaving full-backs for dead on the counter.

Spain’s football has changed but they are hoping their domination of the international stage will be repeated.

“The European champions have been deservedly crowned, today I am even prouder and I hope this impulse will serve to be even better,” said De la Fuente.

“You can always improve and that’s our objective… we will do it because these players are an example for everyone, they are so good.”

Three of the stars from their golden generation, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa, watched on in the Olympiastadion as La Roja lifted a major trophy for the first time in 12 years.

Laughing stock

Their elation in Germany comes after a troubled period in which the Spanish football federation became a global laughing stock.

After their brilliant women’s team won the World Cup in Australia last August, disgraced former president Luis Rubiales sparked worldwide controversy by forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso.

The man who appointed De la Fuente as Luis Enrique’s replacement eventually stepped down from his post three weeks later under heavy pressure from the government and the women’s players, who went on strike.

De la Fuente came close to the brink himself after applauding a fiery Rubiales speech initially refusing to resign, but apologised for it later, saying he was under “psychological stress” in the situation.

The coach had also come under heavy scrutiny after a shock defeat by Scotland in Euros qualifying in March 2023, but steadied the ship by winning the Nations League three months later, confirming Spain were on the right track, at least on the field.

With the team no longer dependent on stars from Real Madrid and Barcelona, but instead a real mix including a strong Basque contingent from Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, Spain believed in themselves and their plan, even if others viewed them as lacking players to compete with the likes of France and England for the trophy.

They beat both, as well as hosts Germany and Euro 2020 winners Italy — the other four of Europe’s ‘big five’.

“This is a dream, we are the best national team in Europe,” Rodri told ITV.

“Imagine what we have next — we are so happy. We made history but it doesn’t stop here, we have talent and we’ll keep going.”

They won Euro 2024 without Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who suffered a bad knee injury in November, and the Catalan club’s young centre-back Pau Cubarsi, whom De la Fuente left behind this time, but will likely be a key component in the future.

Spain were also without Pedri for the semis and final after he was hurt early in the quarter-final win over Germany.

It is clear why De la Fuente believes Spain’s present is bright but their future can be even brighter.

Gareth Southgate has transformed England’s fortunes at major tournaments but once again fell just short as a painful 2-1 defeat in the final of Euro 2024 extended a 58-year wait for glory. Prior to Southgate’s appointment eight years ago, the Three Lions had reached just three major tournament semi-finals and one final in their history, when they won the 1966 World Cup. In the last four tournaments, England have reached three semi-finals and two finals but were undone by familiar failings as Spain rounded off their sublime tournament with a fitting victory.

Southgate had hailed a new “modern England” after they dominated possession to beat the Netherlands in the semi-finals.

But they were reduced to chasing shadows by Spain’s metronomic midfield and cut open by wing wizards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams in Berlin.

Questions now turn to whether Southgate, whose contract expires at the end of the year, will continue in his role for the 2026 World Cup.

He admitted that the stinging criticism that came his way earlier in the tournament — as fans threw beer cups at the England boss after a 0-0 draw with Slovenia — had taken its toll.

But he is also aware that this is far from the end of the road for this generation of English players.

Cole Palmer, 22, capped his breakout season by scoring his first competitive international goal in the final.

Jude Bellingham turned 21 during the tournament, while Bukayo Saka (22) Phil Foden (24) and Declan Rice (26) will all still be in their prime in two years’ time.

“Without a doubt, England have got some fabulous young players and even the young ones now have got a lot of experience of tournaments,” said Southgate.

“Many of this squad are going to be around in two, four, six, eight years’ time.

“We have now been consistently back in the matches that matter, so it’s the last step that we haven’t been able to do.”

Yet, despite his record of going deep in tournaments, doubts remain whether Southgate is the best man to be in charge of such a richly-talented group of players.

England’s luck runs out

Hyped as one of the pre-tournament favourites, England coughed and spluttered their way towards the final thanks to a series of late goals and isolated moments of individual brilliance.

Bellingham’s overhead kick prevented an embarrassing last 16 exit to Slovakia, Saka saved the day against Switzerland before England advanced in a penalty shoot-out, and Ollie Watkins came off the bench late on to defeat the Dutch.

Palmer looked like he might dig Southgate out of a hole once more by curling in a brilliant equaliser against the run of play.

But England’s luck ran out in Berlin as this time they conceded late to Mikel Oyarzabal.

Southgate bemoaned his side’s lack of control and physical issues with many of his major players out on their feet.

He has to take his share of the blame though for relying so heavily on the same core of players all tournament despite having arguably the deepest squad in the tournament.

Eight England players started all seven games, while Southgate did not turn to his bench until they were trailing against Slovakia, Switzerland and Spain.

That followed a pattern as England threw away dream starts to lose to Croatia in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

Southgate was unable to turn the tide as Luka Modric wrestled control for Croatia six years ago and Jorginho dominated the midfield for Italy in the previous Euros final.

This time Spain took the ball straight away with over 80 percent possession in the first 10 minutes and did not relent, even after player-of-the-tournament Rodri was forced off injured at half-time.

“Ultimately we lost to the better side and we have to reflect on how that happened but it is very clear in my mind,” added Southgate.

“For me the key was position of the ball and we didn’t have enough control.”

Southgate said he will take time to ponder his future.

But as England head home, football does not as the wait for international glory goes on.

A superb Spain team led by Rodri and Lamine Yamal were fitting winners of Euro 2024 after lighting up an often disappointing tournament in which too many of the continent’s star players failed to produce their best form. Kylian Mbappe, the world’s best striker, had been hoping to prepare for joining Real Madrid by captaining France to glory but broke his nose and scored just once, from a penalty, as his team lost in the semi-finals. Jude Bellingham, who will play with Mbappe in Madrid next season, might have been the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or had he added the Euros with England to the Champions League with his club.

But Bellingham had a poor campaign aside from two vital goals, tiring early in games and proving incapable of swinging Sunday’s final in Berlin England’s way.

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, had hoped to add to his tournament record 14 goals but failed to score for Portugal as age finally caught up with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Spain needed a late Mikel Oyarzabal goal to beat England 2-1 in the final and win their fourth Euros, but they were comfortably the best side from the beginning of the competition.

Luis de la Fuente’s team won all seven games. They beat the reigning champions, Italy, and in their last three matches saw off the host nation and the two pre-tournament favourites.

It is a remarkable feat to defeat all of the biggest four Western European nations — Germany, France, Italy and England — at the same competition.

“We have made history. We have beaten four (former) world champions all in one go,” savoured Rodri.

“We are all agreed that they are the team who have played the best football at the tournament,” France midfielder Adrien Rabiot said of Spain before his side lost to them in the semis.

Spain’s victory builds on the promise shown when they won the Nations League last year and raises hopes of another golden period of dominance.

They thrilled with a perfect blend of control in midfield and flair on the wings, while other teams failed to meet expectations.

Quantity over quality?

Euro 2024 ended with 117 goals scored in 51 matches, an average of 2.29 goals per game.

England reached the final, but their 0-0 group-stage draw with Slovenia was an eyesore, while a Portugal team full of outstanding talent went home after playing in two laborious goalless knockout ties that were decided on penalties.

The average number of goals scored contrasted with the 2.78 per match at Euro 2020, and 2.69 at the 2022 World Cup.

The latter tournament in Qatar was often thrilling, the quality of football apparently helped by the decision to stage the competition in the middle of the European season.

Euro 2024, meanwhile, has come at the end of another exhausting campaign for the continent’s best players, making it hard for Bellingham or Mbappe, Harry Kane or Antoine Griezmann, to find peak form.

That strikes to the heart of the matter at a time when UEFA and FIFA continue to expand their most lucrative competitions, increasing demands on players.

Global players’ union FIFPro announced just before the Euros began that it had filed a legal claim against FIFA, calling on the European Court of Justice to rule on the body’s right to impose new tournaments.

“Players and their unions have consistently highlighted the current football calendar as overloaded and unworkable,” FIFPro warned, accusing FIFA of “violating the rights of players”.

The season in Europe’s biggest leagues begins in a month, and the expanded Champions League starts in September, with participants now having eight guaranteed games instead of six previously.

The first version of FIFA’s new Club World Cup will go ahead in the United States next June and July, with 32 participating teams including 12 from Europe.

The likes of Manchester City, Madrid and Bayern Munich will be involved, and that will eat into a precious summer break ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which with 48 teams will feature an extra knockout round.

Again more games will generate more money but only increase the demands on players.

The concern is that a constant focus on quantity will have a lasting impact on quality, but there can be no doubting the brilliance of this Spain side.

England captain Harry Kane said Sunday’s 2-1 Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, the Three Lions’ second-successive defeat in the tournament’s showpiece game, will “hurt for a long time”. England lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy at Wembley, having made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup two years earlier. England were also eliminated at the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup by eventual finalists France, with Kane missing a late penalty.

Speaking with ITV, the England captain, who was subbed off after 60 minutes, said the latest major tournament heartbreak after Spain’s late winner was “tough to take”.

“It’s hard to put into words how we’re all feeling right now… We did well to get back into the game and struggled to build on that,” added Kane.

Spain lost Rodri to injury at half-time but took the lead just two minutes into the second half, Lamine Yamal drifting in from the left to find Nico Williams, who cut the ball under England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Cole Palmer equalised three minutes after coming on as a substitute to give England hope but Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner with four minutes remaining. 

“We’ve been coming from behind all tournament, we’ve got it in the locker. We didn’t take the next step and win it,” Kane said.

“The second half was better and we got the goal. We got caught with a cross and that’s the final.” 

Despite a stellar individual career with numerous goalscoring honours, the 30-year-old Kane is yet to win a team trophy.

Prior to Sunday’s match, Kane said he would gladly “swap everything in my career” for Euros glory. 

The forward finished with three goals at the tournament, the equal most, but struggled with a back injury. 

“It’s an opportunity missed. These finals aren’t easy to get to. You have to take it when it comes and we haven’t done it again. 

“It’s extremely painful and it’ll hurt for a long time.”

Asked about the future of England manager Gareth Southgate, Kane said the man who had been in charge since late 2016 would “go away and take time to decide”. 

“We wanted to win it for him.”

Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored a dramatic late winner as Spain triumphed in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, beating England 2-1 to confirm their re-emergence as a force on the international stage and end their opponents’ dreams of winning a first title in almost six decades. Spain lost influential midfielder Rodri to injury at half-time, but shrugged that off to take the lead within two minutes of the restart through Nico Williams, who was set up by his fellow star winger, Lamine Yamal. England came from behind as they have done so often at this Euros, as substitute Cole Palmer drove in the equaliser on 73 minutes, moments after entering the fray. But their resurgence in the game was cut short as Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad forward, turned in a cross in the 86th minute to hand Spain a record fourth European Championship crown, and a third in the last five editions.

They previously won in 1964, 2008 and 2012, the last two titles coming either side of their triumph at the 2010 World Cup during the golden era of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta.

Whether this generation, led by the brilliant Yamal who was playing here a day after his 17th birthday, manage to repeat the achievements of that magnificent side remains to be seen, but theirs was a fitting victory.

Spain have been comfortably the best team over the last month in Germany and were not intimidated by the atmosphere at the Olympiastadion, where the majority of the crowd were given over to England’s cause.

England had hoped to finally claim a first men’s international title since their fabled victory at the 1966 World Cup, but fell just short in their first ever final on foreign soil.

After the agony of their defeat on penalties to Italy three years ago, they are the first side ever to lose back-to-back Euros finals.

Captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, is left at the age of 30 still looking for the first trophy of a career so rich in goals, this defeat coming after a season in which he also won nothing with Bayern Munich.

It was always likely that Spain would control this game, and England spent most of the first half chasing the ball.

Spain controlled the game from the off, but it took until stoppage time at the end of the first half for either team to manage a shot on target, with Phil Foden‘s effort from a Declan Rice free-kick delivery being easily saved by goalkeeper Unai Simon.

But it was just before that in which Rodri hurt himself, sliding into teammate Aymeric Laporte on the follow-through as he blocked a Kane shot.

Spain’s outstanding holding midfielder was unable to continue, and made way for Martin Zubimendi at the restart.

It felt like the loss of such a presence in the middle of the park could completely throw Spain off course, and yet they wasted no time in opening the scoring.

England were braced for the danger to come from Spain’s two wingers, and it was they who combined for the goal, as Yamal collected a Dani Carvajal pass and darted inside.

He released a pass for Williams, who scored with a controlled, low first-time shot across Jordan Pickford and into the far corner.

England would now need to come from behind, but then again that was exactly what they had done in each of their three previous knockout games.

Southgate took off his talisman Kane on the hour mark and sent on Ollie Watkins, a repeat of the substitution that won the semi-final against the Netherlands.

Spain had chances to increase their lead and their fans began to greet every successful pass with an ‘ole’, as Southgate tried to turn the tide by sending on Palmer for Kobbie Mainoo.

Within three minutes England were level as Bukayo Saka’s ball in from the right was laid off by Jude Bellingham for Palmer, who found the net from range with a low first-time effort into the corner.

However, Spain grabbed the winner with four minutes to go thanks to their own super-sub.

Oyarzabal played the ball out to Marc Cucurella on the left before racing into the middle to turn his teammate’s low cross into the net, staying just onside in the process.

Spain then held on, although only after a vital clearance off the line from Dani Olmo to deny Marc Guehi at the death.

Spain vs England Final LIVE Streaming, UEFA Euro 2024© AFP

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Spain have dazzled on their thrilling run to the Euro 2024 final but just one of their 13 goals in Germany has come from striker and captain Alvaro Morata, who remains a lightning rod for criticism. By contrast England struggled on the road to Berlin despite largely facing weaker opposition, yet still believe they can upset the odds on Sunday, especially if Morata’s drought continues. The Atletico Madrid forward’s profligate finishing has come under scrutiny in his homeland after netting just four times in 30 games for club and country, with his attitude also harshly judged.

While explosive wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have thrived in Germany, Morata has under-performed despite a strong start against Croatia in Spain’s opening match.

The 31-year-old got the ball rolling for La Roja, finishing clinically to net his country’s first goal of the tournament.

Morata’s strike made him the standalone fourth top Spanish international goalscorer of all-time with 36 goals, but he has not scored in five games since.

His high work-rate is undoubted and his smart movement a boon for his team-mates, but his lack of goals is a concern for Spain.

If Spain are crowned champions at Berlin’s Olympiastadion for a record fourth time, then Morata can proclaim he played his part in a system that has been by a distance the most dangerous in the tournament.

But his lack of goals will be the first port of call for the Spanish critics if England win.

Morata said earlier this week Euro 2024 will probably be his last tournament with the national team because he feels he has been unfairly attacked.

“In Spain there is no respect for anyone or anything,” complained Morata in an interview with El Mundo before the semi-final victory over France.

Some in the Spanish media blasted Morata for his comments, with El Confidencial running an article titled “Morata, a captain who embarrasses Spain and not only because of his poor form at the Euros” calling him a “crybaby”.

Morata’s wife Alice Campello lashed back on social media in his defence, while coach Luis de la Fuente backed him saying for Spaniards he was an atypical leader.

“In Spain we find it difficult to recognise good things we have, Morata is a clear example, he has the numbers of a superstar,” said De la Fuente.

“He would be a legend in another country, but in ours it’s difficult… I’m 100 percent behind him.”  

Morata has played for a host of top clubs, including Real Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus, but never found a place he could call home for any length of time and may move on from Atletico this summer.

The forward said living in London was “stressful” and stayed in the Premier League for just two seasons before returning to his homeland on loan.

Morata admitted he was on the brink of tears at the end of each Spain match at the Euros.

“It’s pure emotion, it’s like (I’m) a fan in the stands,” Morata told UEFA.

“When they sub me off, it’s as if I were any of the players’ parents watching from the stands… 

“That’s my personality, there’s no shame in crying about positive things -– and I hope I have lots more to cry about on Sunday.”

Even if some of La Roja’s own fans jeered him during friendlies in March and Spanish media have been critical, his team-mates are delighted to have him leading the way.

“Alvaro deserves the best, for the person he is, as a team-mate, as a player, and for being captain of this national team,” said Dani Olmo on Friday.

The playmaker shares the lead in the Euros scoring charts with three goals but pointed out Morata could still finish as top scorer.

“Alvaro has one, if he scores a hat-trick he’ll take it,” said Olmo optimistically.

Often viewed as unlucky, misfortune nearly struck for Morata after Spain’s win over France on Tuesday.

During the celebrations one of the team’s security guards slipped and crashed into the striker, who appeared to be hurt.

“Yellow card and that’s all,” joked Morata the next day, ready to face England, hoping to silence his critics with the first major international trophy of his career.

Spain are “deserved” favourites for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final and even if England do pull off a surprise victory English bookmakers are willing to take the financial hit as for one at least it is “only money lent”. Indeed it might be one occasion where the bookmakers allow their hearts to rule their heads and enjoy losing money. Even though English punters have weighed in since Gareth Southgate’s side beat the Dutch at the death in their semi-final, Spain remain odds-on favourites for a record fourth European crown in Berlin.

“I take the view I can’t lose, if England win, the fan in me is happy, if Spain win, the Coral man in me is satisfied,” David Stevens, head of public relations at Coral, told AFP.

“If it is the former, it’s only money lent.

“Spain have been the standout team in this Euros, and they are deserved favourites for Sunday’s match.

“But that will not prevent those many patriotic punters getting stuck into the Three Lions, and England will be big losers come kick-off.”

William Woodhams, CEO of the world’s oldest bookmakers Fitzdares, largely concurs with his rival.

“Heart always wins,” he told AFP.

“One result isn’t going to kill the business and a bit of a feelgood factor among punters never hurts.”

Indeed Woodhams also has a personal interest in England winning their first major trophy since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup trophy 58 years ago.

“My son drew England in the nursery school sweepstake — so I’m so competitive I want to win the £50 ($65)!”

‘Rioja in the cellar’

Stevens said turnover has been ticking along nicely during the tournament though at the expense of other usually reliable money spinners.

“Football betting is a growth area, and the timing of this summer’s matches has been perfect for a UK audience,” he said.

“So we’ve no complaints about the turnover, albeit it does take away from other events, with Royal Ascot turnover hit slightly last month.”

The urbane Woodhams, who is far from one’s archetypal image of a bookmaker’s CEO having spent six years with luxury goods firm LVMH, says in contrast a largely dull tournament had had an impact.

“Turnover is definitely comparable to the World Cup but not on a par with either Cheltenham or Royal Ascot,” he said.

“It’s been quite a slow tournament and the amount of draws has left a lot of punters without much in their kitty.”

Stevens says England’s “dreary performances will be forgotten” should they win, though, many of his firm’s punters evidently believe they will once again leave fans’ nerves jangling.

King Charles III has tried to help their nerves, as he took to social media earlier this week to joke that England should avoid more last-minute drama.

“England to win on penalties has shortened from 9-1 to 13-2, which tells me plenty of England fans are expecting another nail-biter!” said Stevens.

Woodhams says one of their clients is obviously like the always pessimistic donkey Eeyore in the Winnie The Pooh books.

“Someone had a massive bet on England not to win at big odds-on,” he said.

“Presume they’re keeping the Rioja in the cellar for the time being.”

As for whether they would be happy if England were then to wait another 58 years for their next title, both became dewy-eyed patriots again.

“They’ve not won a World Cup in my lifetime so maybe a two year wait would be nice,” said Stevens.

If Lamine Yamal plays beyond 11 PM, the Spanish FA will be fined 30,000 euros.© AFP