FOOTBALL – It was down to the last game – the final of the UEFA Euro 2024 – Spain v England at the packed Olympiastadion Berlin. And what a game it was!
The roads in Spain were empty of cars and the bars were full. Everywhere I looked, everyone seemed to be wearing red or white, with fans from both sides enjoying the friendly rivalry side by side.
First half
Right from the start Spain had most of the possession with most of it around the goal area. Thirteen minutes into the game and a chance came for Spain. Williams swung the ball in from a corner with Rodri getting his head to it. With his back to the goal Le Normand tried to hook the ball towards the net, but it went wide.
England have had some nice touches but with Spain still dominating possession, they struggled to get the ball out of their own half. In the final ten minutes of the first half, it looked like England were finally finding their feet and had a few chances at goal, but each time they were blocked before they could get the final touch.
Then in the two minutes of stoppage time England had the chance to go down the tunnel a goal up. From a free kick, Rice sent the ball into the middle and Le Normand flicked it on to an unmarked Foden who sent the ball towards the goal, but Simon saved it. The first half ended goalless.
Second half
Just two minutes into the second half, and Spain scored the first goal. Assisted by Yamal who curled the ball to an unmarked Williams on the far side of the box. Williams sent the ball into the top corner with Pickford unable to get a touch.
Two minutes later and Spain had another chance to score. This time Williams squared the ball to Olmo on the edge of the box, but Olmo´s shot went wide of the post.
Spain were in charge of the game when at the 55 minute mark, they had yet another chance at goal. Yamal sent the ball into the box bringing Pickford off the goal line. Morata connected and sent the ball towards the goal, but Stones put it out of danger.
Spain were piling on the pressure and just a minute after Morata´s chance, Williams had a shot at goal. But his effort went wide. Then Bellingham had a chance for England, but his shot was just wide of the far post. At this point in the game, just after the hour mark, it was end-to-end stuff. Spain were next with a chance. Yamal got a low shot on goal, but Pickford punched it out for a corner.
Substitutions
With 20 minutes of normal time remaining, both sides made a change. Out went Mainoo and on came Palmer for England. And for Spain Morata was replaced by Oyarzabal.
Yamal then took the corner and Pickford punched it away, but Olmo followed it up with Pickford punching it away again. The ball was then picked up by Fabian who sent it over the bar.
Just less than three minutes on the pitch, Palmer equalised for England. Saka raced down the right wing and passed to Bellingham who sent it on to Palmer. His shot found the bottom left corner of the net. It was all square in Berlin.
England were very much back in the game, but Spain still held the majority of possession. Pickford made another save from Yamal. This boy was determined to to have his birthday wish come true. Yamal turned 17 on Saturday. However, with the clock ticking, and both sides pressing, it could have gone either way or to extra time.
But with four minutes remaining, it was the turn of the other late substitute to score. Oyarzabal put Spain back in the lead. Oyarzabal passed wide to Cucurella who passed it back to Oyarzabal as he ran in the middle in front of the goal. He then touched the ball at close range past Pickford and into the net. It was 2-1 for Spain.
In the final minute of normal time, another chance came for England to send the game to extra time. A corner from Palmer was headed by Rice, but Simon pushed it away. Guehi followed up, but his effort was cleared by Olmo. Rice had another shot, but it went over the bar.
Stoppage time
Four minutes of stoppage time were added. Spain just needed to hang on, and England were desperate for the goal. It was a nail biting few minutes for the full stadium and everyone watching around the globe. But the 2-1 result stood and Spain had won the UEFA Euro 2024. This is a record-breaking 4th time Spain have won this competition. It is also the second time in a row that England have lost in the final. The last time being when Italy won.
The streets in Spain erupted. Car horns were blaring, fireworks were in the sky. There will be many sore heads this morning as the celebrations continued long into the early hours.