The Euro 2024 final is finally here after several weeks and 50 matches played at this tournament.
Spain will go into this game as favourites — they had the more difficult run to the final and played the more attractive football along the way.
England, however, have made a habit at this tournament of defying doubters.
Gareth Southgate has made his side very hard to beat. Despite some unconvincing performances, with all the last-minute goals and penalty shootout wins, there is a sense of destiny about the Three Lions as they aim to end a 58-year wait for a major tournament trophy.
14 Jul
7:21PM
The only slight surprise in the starting XIs is Luke Shaw replacing Kieran Trippier.
17 - Aged 17 years and one day, Spain’s Lamine Yamal is the youngest ever player to feature in a FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship final, surpassing Pele’s record from the 1958 World Cup (17y 249d). King. #ESPENGpic.twitter.com/wCD6wac3Zg
3 - Gareth Southgate will be the third manager to take charge of more than one UEFA European Championship final (excl. replays), after Helmut Schön (1972, 1976) and Berti Vogts with Germany (1992, 1996). Showpiece. #EURO2024pic.twitter.com/6VpbDLF3TH
Spain's Robin Le Normand, right, and England's Declan Rice vie for the ball. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
14 Jul
8:57PM
So an interesting first half.
England have ceded possession and territory, and backed their very well-organised defence to handle Spain’s impressive attack.
As a consequence, neither side has looked especially dangerous.
You suspect England will tire more as the match develops, as they’ve had to do most of the chasing so far.
It’s notable too how ineffective both strikers have looked.
Kane and Morata have both been on the periphery of the game and each side might be tempted to make a change in that department at some stage in the second half.
14 Jul
8:59PM
You closer to what Southgate wanted than what our manager wanted, that is why England playing better (don't be confused by possession)
Your full backs better than our wingers and we cant find space between the lines, we don't drive with the ball, we don't move the ball around…
England are level after catching Spain on the break.
Saka plays it to Palmer, whose low shot takes a deflection and finds the corner of the net.
14 Jul
9:36PM
Here’s a look at the England goal…
GOAL ENGLAND 🇪🇸 1-1 🏴 Once again Cole Palmer proves his worth as an impact sub, finding the bottom corner to draw England level #Euro2024pic.twitter.com/Pv4foWs7l9
Spain were a little shaky defensively and England did well to frustrate their attack for long periods.
However, it’s probably a deserved win on the balance of play.
Even without two of their best midfielders in the second half (Rodri and Pedri), La Roja played the bolder style of football and dominated possession and territory for long portions of the contest.
England could only threaten them sporadically and their luck finally ran out after more than a few great scapes at this tournament.
Rice and Toney, however, will be gutted at the narrow miss that could have brought the game to extra-time.
The substitution to take off Kane, who looked off the pace, and bring on Watkins and Palmer, almost paid off again, but it’s another near miss for Gareth Southgate, who may have managed the English team for the last time.
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As it happened: England v Spain, Euro 2024 final
England 1-2 Spain
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
The Euro 2024 final is finally here after several weeks and 50 matches played at this tournament.
Spain will go into this game as favourites — they had the more difficult run to the final and played the more attractive football along the way.
England, however, have made a habit at this tournament of defying doubters.
Gareth Southgate has made his side very hard to beat. Despite some unconvincing performances, with all the last-minute goals and penalty shootout wins, there is a sense of destiny about the Three Lions as they aim to end a 58-year wait for a major tournament trophy.
The only slight surprise in the starting XIs is Luke Shaw replacing Kieran Trippier.
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Some pre-match reading for you…
We’re underway…
2 mins – It’s started as expected.
England have men behind the ball with Spain dominating possession.
5 mins – Good start from Spain.
Williams puts in a dangerous low cross that Stones has to clear for a corner.
9 mins: Not too much of note has happened so far.
Spain have had most of the ball but they haven’t really troubled England’s defence yet.
11 mins – England have a free kick in a promising position.
It’s floated in, but then Guehi is penalised after being adjudged to have fouled Laporte while going for the ball.
Moments later, Stones makes a great challenge to stop Williams getting a cross in.
13 mins – Williams’ corner finds the head of Rodri.
The Man City star nods it to Le Normand, whose attempted bicycle kick goes well wide.
15 mins: Laporte is well positioned to cut out a low Walker cross for a corner.
England are starting to come forward more now.
22 mins – Spain are showing signs of frustration.
Any time they get near England’s penalty area, they can’t seem to get through because there is so little space.
Foden gives it away deep in his own territory before Yamal’s goalbound shot is deflected wide.
The corner is then cleared and Carvajal cynically fouls Saka as he attempts to counter-attack.
25 mins – Kane gets the first booking of the game.
It’s a late tackle on Ruiz.
Moments before Shaw was in a promising position in the area — Carvajal dived in recklessly and he’s lucky the Man United man stayed on his feet.
28 mins – More pressure from Spain but again England are equal to the task defensively.
Ruiz shoots but it’s deflected safely into Pickford’s arms.
34 mins – Yamal runs at Shaw out wide.
The Man United man does well, making the tackle and it goes out for a corner.
36 mins – Williams evades the challenge of Walker but then overhits his cross.
It’s a really tight game at the moment with both sides struggling to create genuine chances.
38 mins – Ruiz overhits another cross after another long passage of Spanish pressure.
These like an attack-v-defence session at times, with the latter firmly in the ascendancy.
43 mins: This game remains as tight and tense as ever.
Walker has just headed clear a Williams corner.
45 mins – Bellingham nicks the ball off Carvajal.
He squares it to Kane, but the striker’s shot is blocked.
45 mins: A Rice free kick finds Foden at the far post, but the Man City man can’t get a proper connection on his volley.
Most of the ball has been in England’s territory, but Gareth Southgate’s side look more threatening on the rare occasions they go forward.
HALF-TIME: ENGLAND 0-0 SPAIN
So an interesting first half.
England have ceded possession and territory, and backed their very well-organised defence to handle Spain’s impressive attack.
As a consequence, neither side has looked especially dangerous.
You suspect England will tire more as the match develops, as they’ve had to do most of the chasing so far.
It’s notable too how ineffective both strikers have looked.
Kane and Morata have both been on the periphery of the game and each side might be tempted to make a change in that department at some stage in the second half.
Big blow for Spain.
Rodri has gone off, presumably with an injury.
Martín Zubimendi takes his place.
The second half has begun…
SPAIN 1-0 ENGLAND (WILLIAMS 47)
What a start to the second half.
It’s a well-worked move down Spain’s right.
Yamal then evades Shaw and squares it to Williams who finishes coolly into the corner.
49 mins: Big chance for Spain!
Williams scuffs shot falls to Olmo, whose finish inside the area is inches wide of Pickfoird’s post.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
55 mins – Guehi does well to block Morata’s shot.
Spain remain in the ascendancy.
56 mins: Yamal plays it through to Morata whose shot is cleared off the line.
Moments later a low Williams shot goes just wide.
61 mins: Big call by Southgate,
Kane, who has had a poor game, is replaced by Ollie Watkins, who was the hero against the Dutch.
64 mins: Half-chance for England.
Bellingham escapes a couple of players on the edge of the area before shooting wide.
67 mins: Olmo sends Yamal through on goal.
The attacker’s low shot is tipped away for a corner by Pickford.
67 mins – Spain make another change.
Morata is replaced by Mikel Oyarzabal.
69 mins – Yamal’s cross is headed away for a corner by Stones.
England are under the cosh at the moment.
70 mins: It’s England’s turn to make a sub and it’s an attacking one.
Mainoo is replaced by Palmer.
SPAIN 1-1 ENGLAND (PALMER 73)
England are level after catching Spain on the break.
Saka plays it to Palmer, whose low shot takes a deflection and finds the corner of the net.
Here’s a look at the England goal…
78 mins: Stones does well to head clear Williams’ cross.
Spain have been the better side this second half but doesn’t look as convincing defensively.
82 mins: Pickford gets down really well to keep out Yamal’s low shot.
Spain look the more likely to win it at the moment.
83 mins: Spain make another change.
Le Normand is replaced by Nacho.
86 mins: Pickford does well to claim Yamal’s cross under pressure from Oyarzabal.
The tension is almost unbearable.
SPAIN 2-1 ENGLAND (OYARZABAL 87)
Cucurella’s low cross finds the substitute Oyarzabal, who slides home.
Two minutes of normal time remain.
89 mins: England make a change.
Toney replaces Foden.
For Spain, meanwhile, Merino comes on for Yamal.
90 mins: Incredible drama.
Rice’s header from a corner is saved before Toney’s follow-up is headed off the line by Olmo.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time.
90 mins: Watkins is booked for a late challenge on Nacho.
They will take their time with this free kick.
90 mins – Cucurella goes down under a challenge from Saka and wins the free kick.
Looks like Spain will see this out.
FULL-TIME: SPAIN 2-1 ENGLAND
Here’s a look at the winning goal…
So that’s that.
It was a pretty entertaining game ultimately.
Spain were a little shaky defensively and England did well to frustrate their attack for long periods.
However, it’s probably a deserved win on the balance of play.
Even without two of their best midfielders in the second half (Rodri and Pedri), La Roja played the bolder style of football and dominated possession and territory for long portions of the contest.
England could only threaten them sporadically and their luck finally ran out after more than a few great scapes at this tournament.
Rice and Toney, however, will be gutted at the narrow miss that could have brought the game to extra-time.
The substitution to take off Kane, who looked off the pace, and bring on Watkins and Palmer, almost paid off again, but it’s another near miss for Gareth Southgate, who may have managed the English team for the last time.
A look at the contrasting post-game emotions…
Right, that’s all from me.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read our match report here and we’ll have more reaction to follow.
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