Oyarzabal makes history for Spain after injury heartbreak

Mikel Oyarzabal made history for Spain as he scored the winner in the 2-1 victory over England in Berlin on Sunday to secure his team a record fourth European title at Euro 2024.

But the goal in the 86th minute also marked a personal moment of redemption for the Real Sociedad captain, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during training in March 2022, which ruled him out of a bid to play at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

"That's part of it, the injury, everything I've been through... bringing people this immense joy... I'm very happy, very proud of everyone. This is a family in which everyone is equally valuable, this is incredible," he said after the win.

Against England, Oyarzabal had the same role he had in five of the six previous games: replace captain Alvaro Morata midway through the second half. He only started one game, against Albania in the group stage.

This time, however, he will take home a memory that he will remember for the rest of his life.

"I did my job and I was lucky enough to score the winner. If you're lucky enough to score the goal ... it's the best. I've had a hard time because of injury, so this joy is special after all I have been through," he said.

Oyarzabal's winner was his 12th La Roja goal – with nine of those coming as a substitute since his debut in 2016.

"He's a winner. We've been together for nine years, we won everything together. Mikel never fails," coach Luis de La Fuente said.

Before the Euro 2024 triumph, De La Fuente coached Oyarzabal in Spain's under-19 team, winning the European title in 2019.