VIDEO. Euro 2024: Spain crowned champion for the fourth time after a dominated final against England

Nico Williams et les Espagnols sacrés en finale. dpa – Tom Weller

Spain became the first nation to secure a fourth European championship title after 1964, 2008 and 2012, beating England in the Euro-2024 final (2-1), Sunday in Berlin.

In Berlin, the merry band of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, fiery young wingers, brought back the "Roja" on the roof of Europe, drawing a line with his glorious elders of 1964, 2008 and 2012. Mikel Oyarzabal, who came in place of captain Alvaro Morata, threw himself in front of Jordan Pickford to score the victorious goal at the end of the suspense (86th, 2-1) on a cross from Marc Cucurella.

The red and yellow supporters exploded with joy in an Olympiastadion scene of great disillusionment, once again, for the still cursed English, with a desperately blank record since the 1966 World Cup won at home. The kingdom of football will have to dry its tears once again, like in 2021 when Italy came to London to bury its dream after a completely missed penalty shootout.

The consecration of Spain nevertheless appears deserved at the end of a journey that the "Roja" soared with his talent and mastery, notably under the feet of Yamine Lamal, 17 years old since Saturday, and Nico Williams, 22 years old since Friday.

Croatia, Italy, Germany, France and England

Luis de la Fuente's team went through the tournament like a cannonball, piercing their opponents in turn, whether it was Croatia or Italy in the first round, the host country Germany in the quarters in the final (2-1 ap.) then France's Kylian Mbappé in the semi-finals (2-1). On Sunday, the Spaniards confiscated the ball again, with an offensive momentum although less pronounced than usual, at least in the first half, as if wary of opposing counter-attacks.

At half-time, these two facets appeared quite clearly since the only shot on target recorded by UEFA was to the credit of England, despite much lower possession (34%). Unai Simon easily captured Phil Foden's falling recovery at the far post from a free kick from Declan Rice (45th+1), a symbol of this locked first act.

A minute earlier, English captain Harry Kane also tried his luck after good work from Jude Bellingham, but his shot was blocked by Rodri (45th), injured in the action and forced out.

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Losing his midfield hub, perhaps the best Spaniard in the Euro, obviously did not affect the "Roja", left with his feet on the floor and quickly passed in front to the score. On a fairly innocuous ball, defender Dani Carvajal launched Lamine Yamal superbly deep. The Barça winger refocused and shifted Williams to the left, coming to crucify Jordan Pickford with a cross shot that Kyle Walker tried to counter by throwing himself (47th, 1- 0).

The meeting got lively from there, with the Spaniards suddenly much more liberated and dangerous, like this powerful shot from Williams just wide (56th) or this attempt from Yamal diverted by Pickford (66th). Gareth Southgate tried several electroshocks, with the entry of Ollie Watkins in place of captain Harry Kane, and that of Cole Palmer, the spinning Chelsea striker.

It only took three minutes for the 22-year-old kid, well served behind by Bellingham, to shake the Spanish nets with a dry strike from the left (73rd, 1-1). N.24 had already put on his "super-sub" (super-substitute) with an assist for Watkins in the semi-final against the Netherlands (2-1). But the Spanish bench also had resources with Mikel Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad striker, scorer on the edge of offside, who became the hero of a team drunk with happiness at the final whistle .