After Oyarzabal's deft finish with four minutes remaining in Berlin, Spain became the first team in history to win the European Championship four times. Nico Williams' first-half goal had been canceled out by substitute Cole Palmer, but Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad stunned the English in the Three Lions' second straight Euro final. The last-minute comeback attempt by Gareth Southgate's team nearly brought the score equal, but Unai Simon and Dani Olmo saved the day for Spain, making England the first team to lose consecutive Euro championships.
Against England's well-drilled defense, Spain dominated possession without generating any clear-cut opportunities during a timid first half. The best opportunity before halftime was wasted by Phil Foden, who volleyed blandly straight at Simon. In a major blow for Spain, the injured Rodri was substituted for Martin Zubimendi at halftime, but it made little difference as La Roja tore through England in the minutes that followed. Yamal slipped in from the right side and then drifted to the left of the area, allowing Williams to score with his left foot in the bottom-right corner without any opposition.
In minutes, Williams found space again, slicing a left-footed drive wide from the same angle as the first. While Williams struck a long-range shot that missed the mark and Jordan Pickford brilliantly stopped Yamal, Stones had to clear the line from Alvaro Morata. Eight minutes later, Spain paid a price for failing to capitalize. Bukayo Saka rolled inside for Jude Bellingham during a sweeping Three Lions move, and his ball set Palmer up for a precise left-footed shot from outside the box that hit the bottom-left corner just three minutes after Palmer's arrival.
Eight minutes from time, Pickford equaled Yamal once more, blocking another powerful two-handed stop after Olmo and Williams collaborated to put up their young teammate. Pickford was left speechless as Oyarzabal headed the game-winning goal into the bottom-left corner after Marc Cucurella sent in a low cross. There remained time for one more twist, but as Spain hung on for triumph, Simon and Olmo stood firm to stop Stones and Rice, respectively.
At the 1958 World Cup, Yamal, a winger for Barcelona, became the youngest player to ever appear in a major tournament final, surpassing Pele of Brazil by just one day. Yamal is barely 17 years old. Yamal, who has contributed to more goals for Spain in all competitions than any other player since making his debut in September 2023 (10 – three goals, seven assists), could not settle for just another piece of history. His superb pass to Williams added another memorable moment to his developing career, and Spain fans will likely be enjoying the future years of their two-star winger relationship.
But it was Oyarzabal of La Real who emerged victorious, slipping past Pickford to provide more agony for Southgate's England when two substitutes scored their first goals in a World Cup or Euro final. Three Lions' fate is not unfamiliar. After losing to Italy in a penalty shootout, England was devastated in the postponed Euro 2020 final. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to avenge their defeat in their first international tournament held outside of their country. Immediately following the break, the Three Lions continued an unsettling trend by giving up the fastest goal in the second half of a Euros final.
For the first time since May/June 1985, England has now allowed the first goal in four straight games. Oyarzabal's goal showed how vulnerable their defense was once again when he found a gap. Southgate, who may soon leave his position as manager of England and become the first head coach in the history of the European Championship to lose two finals, may always be haunted by Oyarzabal's magical moment. A new era may be in store as the Three Lions came so close without winning again, as England becomes the first team to lose two straight Euro finals.
