By: Melissa Zhao
In the final match of the 2024 European Football Championship on Sunday, July 14, Spain secured victory against England after a close win of 2-1 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. England’s hopes of ending 58 years of loss and pain were once again dashed, disappointing desperate England fans who were extremely optimistic that they would finally emerge as the grand victor of the Euro Championship.
Spain scored twice in the final, with Nico Williams scoring in the 47th minute, and Mikel Oyarzabal scoring in the 86th minute, giving them a 2-1 lead against England whose Cole Palmer scored with just 15 minutes left in the game. With this victory, Spain has now been the grand victor for 4 of the 17 Championships, and they have been holding the title ever since.
England substitute Cole Palmer had raised hopes for England by scoring in the 73rd minute, but it was Spain who took the lead four minutes before the match ended. It was extremely tense for both English and Spanish fans, with both sides willing their country to win.
Gareth Southgate, the England manager, had substituted Harry Kane, England’s highest goalscorer, into the game. It was a shocking decision for many fans because Harry Kane, after pulling back from the sport for a while, did not seem as fit and athletic as he used to be. However, after Harry Kane entered the game, England started doing better, moving more as a team and even managing to score a goal. However, they did not count on Oyarzabal scoring with less than 5 minutes left in the game, securing victory for Spain.
Southgate, who has now been the manager of the England team for eight years, has once again disappointed the England fans. Whether he is to remain in charge for the next World cup is still to be seen, but success for England was at least within reach. In the end though, Spain proved itself superior, winning the Euro for the 4th time, and England must wait until next for another chance at redemption.
Article Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c7201713dezo