From Moshood Karim
Spain has made history by becoming the first country to win the Men’s European Championships four times, defeating England 2-1 in a dramatic final at the Olympiastadion. The decisive moment came in the dying minutes of the match when substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored a stunning goal, shattering England’s hopes and sparking celebrations among Spanish fans.
England’s journey to the Euro 2024 final had been fraught with challenges, but the team showed resilience and determination to reach their first ever final on foreign soil. Despite their efforts, the final hurdle proved too high as Spain, displaying their characteristic finesse and skill, clinched the victory.
The match started with Spain asserting their dominance, and although England managed to equalize with a spectacular long-range goal from Cole Palmer, it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
The dramatic conclusion came when Oyarzabal, brought on as a substitute, found the back of the net, leaving England to grapple with another heart-wrenching defeat in a major tournament.
The loss extended England’s long wait for a major men’s trophy, which has now stretched to 58 years since their World Cup triumph in 1966. For England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, this marked a second consecutive European Championship final defeat, intensifying the scrutiny and criticism from fans. Many blamed Southgate for the loss, questioning his decisions and calling for his removal.
Harry Kane, the England captain, expressed the team’s profound disappointment. “It’s a huge disappointment, as painful as it can be,” Kane said.
“We’re all just hurting. It’s been a tough tournament where we had to show a lot of resilience. We did really well to get back into the match when Cole Palmer scored that long-range equalizer. We had a big moment at the end when they [Spain] cleared off the line, but it just wasn’t enough.”
Three years ago, England’s dreams were dashed in a similar fashion when they lost to Italy in a penalty shoot-out at Wembley. The repeat of such heartbreak on a continental stage has left the nation and its supporters in anguish once again.
As Spain celebrates their unprecedented fourth European Championship title, England must regroup and reflect on what might have been.
The road to glory remains elusive, and the quest for a major trophy continues for the Three Lions.
