Kickoff chronicles

After 50 games of brilliance in 30 days, the European Championship final was ready to play at the Olympiastadion Berlin with Spain taking on England in what looked an enticing game of football. Would England be able to redeem themselves after their loss in 2021 to Italy on penalties in the final or would Spain break the record for European Championships won and lift their 4th trophy?

1st Half

The first half was a very nervous and cagey 45 minutes with both teams resilient, not wanting to give away possession and playing safe. Spain looked dangerous from corners but that was their only threat in the first half. Luke Shaw, who hadn’t played a full 90 minutes since February due to injury, kept the young superstar Lamine Yamal quiet, timing his challenges to perfection whenever the question was asked. Harry Kane was once again nowhere to be seen when Gareth Southgate and England needed him, unable to play a big part in the first half, with his only shot blocked by arguably the best holding midfielder in the world, Rodri. The best chance of the half was in stoppage time after the first 45 minutes when Declan Rice played a free kick in from the right wing. It floated over the back post where the so far non-existent Phil Foden stretched out to make contact. His contact was surprisingly strong, watching it fly almost directly into the bottom left corner, if Spanish keeper Unai Simon was not smartly positioned. The first half finished 0-0 with both teams almost showing some mutual respect and not wanting to make the first move in this Euro final.

2nd Half

After receiving the horrible news that Rodri had to be taken off for the 2nd half due to an injury, Spanish fans were soon relieved when Nico Williams scored his second goal of the tournament to put the 3 time winners ahead after just 70 seconds. Lamine Yamal received the ball down the right wing before he looked up and proceeded to cut inside. England were playing a very narrow backline and the young star took advantage, playing it across the 18 yard area to Williams who had acres of space with Kyle Walker nowhere to be seen. The Bilbao star hit it hard with his left boot first time, watching it find the far corner, giving Spain a priceless advantage in the process. After registering just the 1 touch in the Spanish penalty area, it was finally time for Harry Kane to leave the pitch and make way for Ollie Watkins. Watkins, who had earned them a place in the final with a last minute winner against the Dutch, was hoping to make another major substitute impact for England. Southgate also made the decision to take off Kobbie Mainoo and replace him for Cole Palmer. Once again Southgate’s changes paid off, England tying the fixture in the 73rd minute after a brilliantly executed counter attack. Bukayo Saka received the ball down the right wing and held it up, waiting for players to progress down the pitch. Saka eventually played it into the penalty area to Jude Bellingham but he couldn’t get a shot away as he had his back to goal. The Real Madrid superstar poked it out to Cole Palmer who then calmly passed it into the bottom left corner, making it 1-1 with just over a quarter of an hour to play. England decided they would be happy to take the game into extra time, sitting back and letting Spain come at them. Lamine Yamal then drew 2 brilliant saves from Jordan Pickford in goals, coming so close to winning the game late on. Eventually, England crumbled again and Spain scored in the 86th minute. Mikel Oyarzabal received the ball just outside the English penalty area before spreading it wide to the left wing where Marc Cucurella was there to receive. Cucurella took a touch before drilling the ball back into the penalty area, watching as Oyarzabal timed his run perfectly before slotting the ball past Pickford, surely winning the game for Spain. England then continued to play their part in this mesmerising final when they came so close to scoring in the 90th minute. Palmer’s corner was floated into the penalty area which was met by a powerful header from Declan Rice. Rice’s effort forced a brilliant save from Unai Simon before the ball was parried back out to Marc Guehi. Guehi too was denied, watching as his headed effort was cleared off the line by Dani Olmo. Finally it popped back out to Rice who had to agonisingly watch as he couldn’t keep the ball down, his header flying over the woodwork.

That was it for the Three Lions as the final whistle was soon blown, granting Spain a record breaking 4th European Championship. It ends again in heartbreak for Gareth Southgate and his men, becoming the first team to lose back to back finals. Spain were deserving winners though, triumphing in all 7 games they played. The player of the tournament was Rodri who was influential in the Spanish midfield, pulling all the strings no matter the opponent. Yamal took out the young player award, a lovely birthday present for the Barcelona winger who only turned 17 the day before. He played a huge part in the tournament, scoring that wonder goal vs France while also registering 4 assists, the most crucial in the final. The golden boot was shared between 6 players starring Harry Kane (England), Dani Olmo (Spain), Coady Gakpo (Netherlands), Jamal Musiala (Germany), Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), and Ivan Schranz (Slovakia). England will need a big refresh before the Americas World Cup in 2 years time as they are now 58 going on 60 years without a major international trophy. After a few poor years for Spain, it looks positive for La Roja as they hope to reach the levels of their 2010 team that lifted the World Cup.

Written by Ollie Wade