90min

X reacts as Spain leave it late to defeat England in Euro 2024 final

  • Spain beat England in final of Euro 2024
  • Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal scored either side of Cole Palmer equalier
  • How social media reacted to game

By Sean Walsh

Spain are champions of Europe again
Spain are champions of Europe again / Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/GettyImages
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And there it is, folks - Spain are the new champions of Europe.

La Roja, the most exciting team of Euro 2024, ensured they went all the way by beating England in Sunday's final in Berlin.

Here's how social media reacted to the game.

A few hours before kick-off, news came out that England would make one change to their lineup - Luke Shaw, injured for much of the tournament, would start in place of Kieran Trippier.

Though there was only one personnel change, it became apparent early on that Gareth Southgate had also tweaked his tactics, switching to a back-four formation.

That switch seemed to work in England's favour, with Spain finding it tough to break the Three Lions down.

Lamine Yamal in particular was struggling to get the better of Shaw.

Bukayo Saka was also quickly becoming the antagonist of the Spanish, riling up Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella.

Luis de la Fuente went to his bench at half-time and brought on Martin Zubimendi, with the inevitable Rodri coming off.

But just over 60 seconds after the restart, Spain went ahead, with Nico Williams slotting in at the far post following an assist from Yamal.

On the hour mark, Southgate turned to his substitutes and called for Ollie Watkins - with captain Harry Kane being withdrawn.

Jude Bellingham then went close for England on the turn, while Jordan Pickford produced a fine save to deny Yamal down the other end.

Southgate's next change proved to be pivotal. Bukayo Saka cut inside and cut the ball back for Jude Bellingham, whose layoff was curled in from 20 yards by substitute Cole Palmer.

But that joy was short-lived, as Spain went ahead on minute 86. A deep cross from Cucurella round the back of the defence found Mikel Oyarzabal, who tapped in to put La Roja ahead again.

An almighty scramble nearly saw England draw level straight away. Declan Rice's header was saved by Unai Simon, Marc Guehi's rebound cleared off the line by Dani Olmo, and then Rice's second attempt sailed behind.

England failed to mount another attack and their fate was sealed after four minutes of added time.

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