Spain wins Euro 2024 with late goal to break English hearts in Berlin

England's long wait for major tournament victory goes on after Spain substitute Mikel Oyarzabal secured Euro 2024 glory in Berlin.

Soccer forward Oyarzabal got on the end of Marc Cucurella's cross to win it for Spain in the 86th minute, after Cucurella's Chelsea's team-mate Cole Palmer had scored England's equalizer within moments of coming on. Nico Williams gave Spain the lead in the first half, and Spain's Dani Olmo cleared from Marc Guehi late on as England were left bereft.

After a cagey opening to the game, England were indebted to fine defending from Luke Shaw - preferred to Kieran Trippier to start at left-back - to repeatedly thwart the efforts of the lively teenager Lamine Yamal.

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Spain dominated possession throughout the first period, but ultimately it was England who had the most threatening attempt at goal when Phil Foden stretched at an effort from an angle but fired straight at goalkeeper Unai Simon.

England then thought that it had been handed a crucial advantage when Manchester City's midfield star Rodri failed to return for the second half after picking up an injury. But Spain took the lead just 69 seconds into the second period.

Yamal drifted in from the right, and as Alvaro Morata and and Williams moved across the penalty area his pass picked out the latter, who finished expertly beyond Jordan Pickford to spark Spanish celebration.

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Spain was dominant now, and as it pushed for a second goal, England head coach Gareth Southgate knew he had to make a change. Captain Harry Kane was replaced by semifinal hero Ollie Watkins, and soon after Jude Bellingham fired England's first decent effort of the second half wide of the mark.

It was the Spanish who looked most likely to score though, and Pickford had to be at his best to keep out Yamal, before a more routine stop from substitute Oyarzabal. And then came Palmer's moment.

The Chelsea man had only come on for Kobbie Mainoo three minutes' prior, but when Bukayo Saka's centre was laid back by Bellingham, there was Palmer to send a superb low strike into the bottom corner.

England's joy was short lived though, with Oyarzabal alert to slide home Cucurella's cross to bring joy to their travelling supporters, with England unable to raise themselves again and fight back.

Around 40,000 England fans were estimated to be inside Berlin's Olympiastadion, including the Prince of Wales, his son George and new UK Primer Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Thousands more England supporters had descended on the German capital even though they didn't have tickets for the game, with many watching the match at the fan park at the city's Brandenburg Gate.