Spain win the European Championship final against England in Berlin 2:1 and are crowned European champions. Mikel Oyarzabal's winning goal in the 86th minute decides the game.
It is a relatively unspectacular attack that lifts the Spanish national team back onto Europe's throne. It was the 86th minute when the ball came to Marc Cucurella on the left. The defender, who has been consistently booed by opposing fans since his dubious intervention in the quarter-final against Germany, places the ball in the middle. Mikel Oyarzabal, the substitute striker, scores the second and decisive goal for the Spaniards, who are the only team to have won the European Championship four times. The Iberians had previously shared the top spot in terms of titles with hosts Germany.
Williams and Yamal harmonize
Spain were widely considered to be the favorites. Even though coach Luis de la Fuente did not want his team to be favorites the day before. The Iberians had come through the tournament too confidently, the young team seemed too well-rehearsed and their offense too strong.
No team scored more often in Germany's stadiums than the "Selección". There were glimpses of this potential in the first half, such as the infamous runs down the wings by Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. However, it only became really dangerous in front of England's Jordan Pickford after the break.
And Spain's two youngsters showed that they harmonize excellently. Less than two minutes had been played when Yamal moved into the middle and set up Williams with a precise pass behind the defense. This time, no Englishman was able to keep his foot down, no one was able to put their head between the ball and the goal. And Pickford had no chance with his powerful shot.
Williams' goal was the 14th at this tournament, which the Spaniards had not entered with much credit: the players were too inexperienced, as was the coach, who had primarily worked at junior level until taking over the senior national team after the World Cup in Qatar. Having won the European Championship title, the critics now lack powerful arguments.
Southgate's hand is not enough this time
The English once again demonstrated their distinct comeback qualities. Gareth Southgate's team came back from a goal down in the round of 16 against Slovakia, the quarter-final against Switzerland and the semi-final against the Netherlands. And the much-maligned coach could once again pat himself on the back for having substituted the right player.
As in the semi-final, Cole Palmer played a decisive role in temporarily turning the game in England's favor. The Chelsea player had been on the pitch for less than three minutes when he took a return pass from Jude Bellingham and fired a shot into the far corner of the goal, sending the largely English-filled Olympic Stadium into ecstasy.
It was the reward for an improved performance after the goal conceded as the Three Lions showed more courage. And Southgate also showed courage by taking captain and top scorer Harry Kane off the field after just an hour and replacing him with Ollie Watkins, the Aston Villa striker who had become a late hero in the semi-final.
This time, however, the hero of the evening was not wearing a white shirt. Declan Rice had an excellent opportunity to bring England back into the game with a header in stoppage time. However, Unai Simon, who otherwise faced few challenges from England, made a strong reflex save.
England's wait for their second major title since the 1966 World Cup thus continues. And Spain are back on the throne after 2012.
The telegram
Spain - England 2:1 (0:0)
Berlin. - 71,000 spectators. - Referee Letexier (FRA). - Goals: 47. Williams 1:0. 73. Palmer 1:1. 86. Oyarzabal 2:1.
Spain: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand (83. Nacho), Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri (46. Zubimendi), Ruiz; Yamal (89. Merino), Olmo, Williams; Morata (68. Oyarzabal).
England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guéhi; Saka, Mainoo (70. Palmer), Rice, Shaw; Foden (89. Toney), Bellingham, Kane (61. Watkins).
Comments: Spain without Pedri and Perez (both injured). England complete. Cautions: 25 for Kane. 31st Olmo. 53rd Stones. 92nd Watkins.
The live ticker
Spain
England
- Nico Williams - 1:0 (47.)
- Mikel Oyarzabal - 2:1 (86.)
- (73.) 1:1 - Cole Palmer
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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86.
Oyarzabal shoots Spain to the European Championship
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#Preview
How England start the final
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#Preview
Spain's line-up for the final
Spain: Unai Simon, Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodrigo, Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Alvaro Morata
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#Preview
Relaxed mood among the Spaniards: Morata gets Yamal wet
The Spaniards organized a 1v1 tournament in training. Álvaro Morata and Lamine Yamal faced each other in the final. The captain showed the young star how it's done.
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#Preview
The Scots stand by the Spaniards
Before the European Championship final in Berlin between England and Spain, a photo of a Scottish pub is causing a laugh on social media.
The picture shows the entrance to a pub in Glasgow decorated with ten Spanish flags. There's no question that many Scots are rooting for Spain in the European Championship final
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#Preview
Review of the semi-final: England slows down the Netherlands
The yellow wall in Dortmund turns orange, but on the pitch England beat the Netherlands thanks to a last-minute goal - and thus advance to the European Championship final against Spain.
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#Preview
Review of the semi-final: Olmo and Yamal work their magic against France
Lamine Yamal breaks Johan Vonlanthen's record with a dream goal. Dani Olmo also works his magic against France and ensures that Mbappé and Co. go home before the final.
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#Preview
Who will be crowned top scorer?
Six players are currently joint top scorers (3 goals), but only two of them can still score in Sunday's final.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Harry Kane (England), Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), Jamal Musiala (Germany), Dani Olmo (Spain) and Ivan Schranz (Slovakia): These six professionals are currently leading the race for the "Golden Boot", the award for the best European Championship goalscorer.
When asked, UEFA confirmed that the number of goals scored is the only criterion that counts. There will therefore be six or more top scorers at this European Championship rather than goal assists or minutes played being taken into account.
In the final, Harry Kane and Dani Olmo have the best chance of securing the trophy for themselves alone. All other players with three goals to their name have already been eliminated.
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#Preview
English liberation or Spanish record victory?
The last match at the European Championship in Germany is a duel of opposites. Both England and Spain have arguments for the final on Sunday evening in Berlin. Click here for the article.
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90.+5.End of 2nd half
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90.+2.Yellow card England
Ollie Watkins
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89.Substitution in Spain
Mikel Merino
Midfielder
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89.Substitution out Spain
Lamine Yamal
Striker
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89.Substitution in England
Ivan Toney
Striker
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89.Substitution out England
Phil Foden
Midfielder
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86.Goal for Spain, 2:1 through Mikel Oyarzabal (Marc Cucurella)
Mikel Oyarzabal
Striker
Assist: Marc Cucurella
Defender
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83.Substitution in Spain
Nacho
Defender
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83.Substitution out Spain
Robin Le Normand
Defender
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73.Goal for England, 1:1 through Cole Palmer (Jude Bellingham)
Cole Palmer
Midfielder
Assist: Jude Bellingham
Midfielder
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70.Substitution in England
Cole Palmer
Midfielder
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70.Substitution out England
Kobbie Mainoo
Midfielder
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68.Substitution in Spain
Mikel Oyarzabal
Striker
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68.Substitution out Spain
Álvaro Morata
Striker
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61.Substitution in England
Ollie Watkins
Striker
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61.Substitution out England
Harry Kane
Striker
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53.Yellow card England
John Stones
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47.Goal for Spain, 1:0 through Nico Williams (Lamine Yamal)
Nico Williams
Striker
Assist: Lamine Yamal
Striker
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46.Substitution in Spain
Martín Zubimendi
Midfielder
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46.Substitution out Spain
Rodri
Midfielder
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+3.End of 1st half
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31.Yellow card Spain
Dani Olmo
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25.Yellow card England
Harry Kane
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1.Start of the match
