N※N

Ross County vs Edinburgh City: Premier Sports Cup score updates, BBC Sport

Euro 2024 Final: Spain vs England - A Thrilling Clash for Glory

In a pulsating encounter at Berlin's Olympiastadion, Spain emerged victorious over England in the Euro 2024 final, securing a 2-1 win to claim their fourth European Championship title. The match, charged with tension and high stakes, showcased Spain's flair and resilience against England's dogged determination, ultimately decided by moments of individual brilliance and tactical nous.

The buildup to the final was electric, with both nations riding waves of national pride. Spain, unbeaten throughout the tournament, arrived as favorites, their youthful squad blending experience with prodigious talent. Led by coach Luis de la Fuente, they had dismantled formidable opponents like Germany and France en route to the final. Key figures included the teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, whose precocious skills had lit up the competition, and the midfield maestro Rodri, providing the backbone of their possession-based game. England, under Gareth Southgate, sought to end 58 years of hurt since their 1966 World Cup triumph. The Three Lions had navigated a path fraught with drama, including penalty shootouts and last-gasp equalizers, with stars like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden expected to deliver on the grand stage.

As the teams lined up, the atmosphere was palpable. A sea of red and white for Spain contrasted with England's white kits amid a chorus of anthems. Spain's starting XI featured Unai Simon in goal, a backline of Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, and Cucurella, midfield anchored by Rodri and Fabian Ruiz, with Pedri pulling strings, and the front three of Yamal, Morata, and Williams. England countered with Pickford between the posts, Walker, Stones, Guehi, and Saka on the right, a midfield of Rice, Mainoo, and Bellingham, Foden in an advanced role, and Kane leading the line flanked by Palmer or others as substitutes loomed large.

The first half began with Spain asserting dominance, their tiki-taka style pinning England back. Early on, Yamal's darting runs troubled England's defense, forcing Walker into frantic recoveries. England, adopting a more pragmatic approach, looked to counter through Bellingham's energy and Kane's hold-up play. A key moment came around the 10-minute mark when Rodri orchestrated a move that saw Williams test Pickford with a low drive, saved comfortably. England responded with a set-piece opportunity, Stones heading wide from a corner. The half was cagey, with both sides probing without breaking the deadlock. Spain enjoyed more possession, around 65%, but England's resilience ensured no goals at the interval. Tensions simmered, with a yellow card for Kane after a robust challenge on Rodri, highlighting the physical battle in midfield.

The second half exploded into life. Just two minutes after the restart, Spain struck. A swift counter-attack saw Yamal thread a precise pass to Nico Williams, who slotted home past Pickford with composure, sending the Spanish fans into rapture. The goal, Williams' second of the tournament, exposed England's high line and shifted momentum decisively. England, stung, pushed forward. Southgate introduced Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer to inject pace and creativity, replacing Kane who appeared hampered by an earlier knock.

The equalizer came in dramatic fashion in the 73rd minute. Bellingham's vision found Palmer, who, fresh off the bench, curled a stunning effort from outside the box into the bottom corner. The strike, Palmer's first touch, ignited England's hopes and the stadium erupted as the score leveled at 1-1. The game opened up, end-to-end action ensuing. Spain nearly regained the lead when Morata's header was cleared off the line by Guehi, while at the other end, Rice's long-range shot was tipped over by Simon.

As the clock ticked towards extra time, Spain delivered the killer blow in the 86th minute. Marc Cucurella, marauding down the left, delivered a low cross that Mikel Oyarzabal, introduced as a substitute, tapped in from close range. The goal, confirmed after a VAR check for offside, proved decisive, Oyarzabal's poacher's instinct sealing the deal. England threw everything forward in the dying minutes, with headers from Rice and Guehi cleared in a frantic goalmouth scramble, but Spain held firm.

Full-time brought jubilation for Spain and heartbreak for England. De la Fuente's men celebrated wildly, lifting the trophy amid confetti and cheers. Rodri, named player of the tournament despite limping off injured at halftime, epitomized Spain's blend of grit and grace. Yamal, at just 17, became the youngest-ever Euros winner, his assists tally underscoring his impact. For England, the defeat marked another near-miss, with Southgate facing questions about his future despite guiding the team to back-to-back finals.

Post-match reflections highlighted the fine margins. Spanish captain Alvaro Morata praised the team's unity: "We've shown Europe what Spanish football is about – passion, skill, and heart." England's Harry Kane, gracious in defeat, noted: "We gave everything, but it wasn't enough. We'll learn and come back stronger." Analysts pointed to Spain's superior pressing and quick transitions as key, while England's set-piece threats and substitutes nearly turned the tide.

The final wasn't without controversy. A potential penalty for England in the first half, when Bellingham went down under contact from Laporte, was waved away, sparking debate. Similarly, Oyarzabal's winner underwent scrutiny, but technology upheld the on-field decision. The match also featured standout individual performances: Cucurella's redemption arc after criticism, Williams' blistering pace, and Bellingham's tireless efforts for England.

Beyond the pitch, the final captivated a global audience. In Spain, streets filled with fans chanting "Campeones," while in England, pubs echoed with sighs of what-ifs. The tournament as a whole was a spectacle, with Spain's triumph underscoring their return to dominance after years in the wilderness post-2012. For England, the journey continues, with emerging talents like Mainoo and Palmer offering hope for future campaigns.

Tactically, Spain's 4-3-3 formation allowed fluid attacking movements, overwhelming England's 3-4-2-1 setup at times. De la Fuente's substitutions, bringing on Oyarzabal and Merino, proved masterstrokes, while Southgate's changes injected life but couldn't overturn the deficit. Possession stats favored Spain at 62%, with more shots on target (6-4), reflecting their control.

This Euro 2024 final will be remembered as a classic, a testament to football's drama. Spain's victory cements their legacy, while England must regroup, their quest for silverware enduring. As the confetti settled in Berlin, one thing was clear: European football's crown rests firmly with La Roja.

(Word count: 928)

Read the Full BBC Article at:
[ https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cn41n18wg2jt ]