Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Steven Chicken

Euro 2024 final LIVE: Spain win fourth European Championships with late 2-1 win over England

Jude Bellingham reacts as Spain's players celebrate after winning at the end of the UEFA Euro 2024 final football match between Spain and England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 14, 2024.

Welcome to FourFourTwo's live blog for England vs Spain, in the Euro 2024 final.

  • FourFourTwo are on the ground in Berlin and reporting on events from London
  • Nico Williams opens scoring just after break
  • Substitute Cole Palmer equalises shortly after coming on
  • Mikel Oyarzabal pokes home late on for 2-1
  • Spain win record fourth Euros trophy
  • England runners-up for second time in a row

Spain have been crowned European champions for a fourth time after beating England 2-1 in 90 minutes.

Nico Williams put Spain ahead two minutes after the interval before Cole Palmer equalised soon after coming off the bench.

But Mikel Oyarzabal's 86th-minute strike gave Spain a deserved victory late on, leaving England heartbroken again.

The lineups are expected at 7pm BST, an hour before kick-off – but there are rumours of what the team will look like…

England's Ollie Watkins raises his arm to celebrate his winning goal against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final. (Image credit: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

The hero of the semi-final, Ollie Watkins, may have to make do with a place on the bench once again despite winning the Netherlands clash late on.

England are expected to name an unchanged XI, with everpresent Jordan Pickford in goal, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Marc Guehi in defence and the same wing-back pairing of Bukayo Saka on the right and Kieran Trippier on the left. England's Euro 2020 final scorer, Luke Shaw, has played 57 minutes at this tournament following an injury with Manchester United midseason and though he is a more natural left-back than Trippier, will likely come on later in the game.

That leaves a midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo, who will become the youngest player to have ever to feature in a final for the Three Lions, should he play. Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham in No.10 support captain Harry Kane up front.

Harry Kane has addressed his infamous trophy drought ahead of this one

Harry Kane celebrates after scoring for England against the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The England skipper has never won silverware of any kind in a long, distinguished career that has seen him break the all-time scoring record for both Tottenham Hotspur and England – and become the second-highest goalscorer in Premier League history. 

Kane says, however, that he'd swap it all for victory tonight. 

“it's no secret that I haven't won a team trophy,” he said ahead of this one.

“Every year that goes by you're more motivated and you're more determined to change that and now I have the opportunity to win one of the biggest trophies you could ever win and to make history with my nation.

“I'm extremely proud to be English. I'd swap everything in my career to have a special night by winning [on Sunday].”

Ollie Watkins didn't get a congratulations for his goal the other night from Unai Emery – because the Basque doesn't have his number.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

“No, I don't have the boss' number to be honest!” Watkins told the media yesterday. “I've had a few text messages. I was looking through them after the other night.”

Maybe Unai was worried about Spain facing the Aston Villa striker…

The Big Euro 2024 Quiz! How much do you remember about the tournament?

Jude Bellingham scores for England (Image credit: Getty Images)

It's our big quiz of the tournament – no time limit, 20 questions.

How much do you remember?

The Harry Kane trophy curse

Harry Kane reacts during Bayern Munich's 2-2 draw against Freiburg (Image credit: Getty Images)

For some, Kane is the greatest English player ever. Tonight, he looks to end his hoodoo of having never won a trophy ever.

But what is this curse? And how long does it stretch? Read more here.

Southgate to stay? Rice thinks so

Declan Rice hugs Gareth Southgate (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I woke up to the news this morning that the FA wanted him to stay until '26. This journey and this road that he has been on has been so special,” Rice said.

“Hopefully we can do something special for him for sure and I know for a fact the lads would love him to stay on until '26, there's no doubt about that.”

One Spain star could be Liverpool-bound

Liverpool target Dani Olmo (Image credit: Future)

Liverpool are said to be ready to trigger the release clause of Euro 2024 star, Dani Olmo…

Ollie Watkins names Rodri as Spain's key player

Rodri is Spain's key man, says Watkins (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I would say Rodri, from experience and what he's won at Manchester City, he's crucial because of the way he dictates the game,” Watkins said of Rodri yesterday.

"Everyone knows his talent, he's a world-class player. He is crucial for their build-up.

“But I'm just focusing on myself, I'm not aware of what the Spanish press, players or manager have said, we've not taken anything like that into consideration." 

The Golden Boot will be decided tonight

Dani Olmo is the current forerunner for the Golden Boot (Image credit: Getty Images)

The European Championships trophy will be hoisted aloft this evening, but there's individual gongs to be handed out as well. Not literal gongs, like, though we'd enjoy that. Make it a gong, UEFA cowards. Imagine making a losing player sadly tap it with the accompanying tiny mallet.

As it is, it's a boring old boot for the top scorer, a.k.a. the worst Monopoly piece (team boat all the way, cruising towards crushing economic victory).

The remaining candidates with feet who might just fit that boot currently look like being one of current leader Dani Olmo and Harry Kane, who both have three goals, with Olmo holding the edge on assists.

Jude Bellingham, Fabian Ruiz and maybe even Lamine Yamal still have a chance, however. You can find out about how the Euro 2024 Golden Boot is decided in the event of a tie, if you want. 

We'll also have a Player of the Tournament and Young Player of the Tournament.

On The Ground in Berlin: with the 'Hardest Geezer'

Russ Cook (centre) with FourFourTwo's Ed McCambridge (right) (Image credit: Ed McCambridge)

Our man Ed McCambridge is in Berlin for FourFourTwo soaking up the pre-match atmosphere, and he's bumped into Russ Cook who, having ran the length of Africa earlier this year, ran from England to Germany to support the Three Lions.

Ed says: "Atmosphere in Berlin is absolutely phenomenal. England and Spain fans getting along swimmingly. This is what the Euros is all about. Hardest Geezer dealing with a conveyor belt of selfies and FFT isn’t too proud to grab one. It’s coming home!"

Luke Shaw to start Euro 2024 final?

Interesting stuff from The Telegraph, who claim that Luke Shaw will be in Gareth Southgate's starting line-up this evening.

The Manchester United left-back was taken out to Germany despite still recovering from an injury that had kept him sidelined for the last few months of  the Premier League season, and is yet to start a game for his country this summer with Kieran Trippier starting at left-back in his place.

Shaw did make it off the bench against Switzerland in the quarter-finals and the Netherlands in the semi-finals, but the expectation earlier today had been that Trippier would keep his place for the final.

Shaw was the surprise scorer for England in the Euro 2020 final: he bagged the opener two minutes into the game against Italy, who eventually won the trophy on penalties.

The latest odds for tonight

Gamble responsibly, folks (Image credit: Getty Images)

Spain are the marginal favourites to win the Euros tonight, according to Bet365, who have Luis de la Fuente's side odds on at 8/11 compared with England's 11/10.

A 90 minute victory for Spain is the most likely outcome, apparently, ranked at 6/4; England in 90 minutes is 12/5.

The other permutations, if you're interested (and even if you're not, here they are)

  • Spain in extra time 9/1
  • England in extra time 12/1
  • Spain on penalties 15/2
  • England on penalties 15/2

When it comes to goalscorers, meanwhile, the bookies are tipping Harry Kane to bolster his hopes of winning the Golden Boot with his fourth goal of the tournament. Anytime goalscorer odds are as follows:

  • Harry Kane 9/4
  • Alvaro Morata 5/2
  • Dani Olmo 4/1
  • Lamine Yamal 4/1
  • Phil Foden 4/1
  • Jude Bellingham 9/2

Experience in the final

Luke Shaw (top right) put England ahead in the Euro 2020 final (Image credit: Getty Images)

If we're going to accept the reports that Luke Shaw is starting tonight in the only change from semi-finals - and again, we won't get the official word until 7pm - then England would have seven players in their starting line-up who also played against Italy in the Euro 2020 final three years ago.

That's Shaw, Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Declan Rice, Harry Kane (all of whom started at Wembley) and Bukayo Saka (who came off the bench, as you probably recall...none of the other four subs from that night are in Southgate's squad this time around). Trippier also started in that game.

Those seven or eight players would thus become the only English men ever to play in two major international finals.

Shaw could even go one better and become the only English man ever to score in two finals for England.

Spain do not have any prior international finalists in their squad. Jesus Navas is the only current player left from their last appearance in a final, at Euro 2012, but was an unused substitute as they beat Italy 4-0.

Blue is the colour (England hate most)

(Image credit: Brynjar Gunnarson)

The first album I ever owned was the Beautiful South’s Blue is the Colour, which it turns out was not an appropriate Christmas gift for a nine year old.

Nor is it appropriate for England to face in a knockout game, apparently. Every side to have beaten them in knockout games at Euros and World Cups since 2012 have worn blue on the day: Italy, Uruguay, Iceland, Croatia, Italy again, and then France.

England broke their blue hoodoo (bluedoo?) earlier in the tournament by beating Slovakia, however, proving once and for all that they are not subject to some bizarre Green Lantern-style power drain that renders them vulnerable to particular colours. (Simpler explanation: they were mostly just crap.)

Good news just in case: both sides will be in their traditional home kits tonight, with England in white and Spain in red.

This is the third tournament in a row where England’s away kit has been consigned to a mere merchandise item, by the way; they’ve not worn any of them at major tournaments since donning all red against Sweden in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

They’ve already broken hearts in Rotterdam…will England Have Fun tonight, or will they be left with little more than Artificial Flowers?

Scotland, represent

Room for neutrals at the Euro 2024 final (Image credit: Future)

There's tens of thousands of England fans in Berlin for the occasion today, with reports suggesting they are set to far outnumber their Spanish counterparts.

Our glorious and esteemed editor James Andrew is one of those England fans, the lucky so and so - and this picture he's sent in shows that their is some neutral representation at the stadium today.

Amid a sea of England fans, he's spotted the world's most Scottish-looking man is there in his rather splendid pink Scotland shirt, alongside a mate in the traditional blue. Have fun lads!

There's also a Denmark fan who frankly does not like entirely enamoured with the occasion. Probably still thinking about that handball (which definitely was a handball, however offensive Gary Neville may have found it.)

More from our feet on the ground

England fans have turned out in numbers in Berlin (Image credit: Getty Images)

Just to confirm that overwhelming English representation, James Andrew sends us this from the ground:

"The sun’s out and England fans have taken over Berlin. It is about 20-1 England to Spanish fans. All good natured and if ‘The Boss’ Bruce Springsteen is on commission then he will be raking it in today with the Phil Foden version of Dancing in the Dark getting plenty of air time. A very different atmosphere to the Euros final of three years ago at Wembley."

We will alert the good people at PRS.

Calling in sick?

"*cough cough* Oooh yeah I think I've got that new strain. Erm, no, that's not me in the face paint and bucket hat. Yeah it does look like me. But it's not. Cos I'm at home. Sick. Yeah." (Image credit: Getty Images)

We would never endorse people phoning in sick to work just because they've over-indulged during and after a football game. That would be irresponsible and contrary to the terms of our employment arrangements with Future plc.

So it is with a huge amount of journalistic neutrality that we report that some 9% of you plan to do exactly that tomorrow, according to Stocklytics, who (apparently in lieu of anything better to do) put the question to two thousand people.

Among 25-34 year olds that rises to 21%, with another 16% in that age group saying they're 'not sure', which for us is the coward's 'yes'. For those aged 55+, just 1% have said they intend to phone in sick.

A rather more responsible 5% of respondents have said they will use their annual leave instead, which we assume means they have already made arrangements.

I'm on shift tomorrow, as it happens, and would like to reassure my bosses that if I do call in sick, it will be entirely legitimate and nothing to do with England's brilliant triumph/upsetting failure.

Get Gareth Southgate's polo!

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Described by Harper's Bazaar as "England's unexpected sartorial hit of the World Cup", Marks & Spencer admit sales of Gareth Southgate's white polo were up an impressive 35 per cent.

Fancy one? Get one here but be quick!

England team news

Luke Shaw starts as predicted, in one change to Gareth Southgate's side. Full team below

Spain team news

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Two changes as Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand return to Spain's starting XI following their suspensions.

Confirmed Spain XI: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Olmo; Yamal, Morata, Williams

FourFourTwo: on the ground in Berlin

Staff writer Ed McCambridge (take a guess which one he is) poses with some Spain fans who might have a point...

Ed says: "Best pre-match atmosphere I’ve ever experienced. Spain fans absolutely charming and everyone singing Spain and England songs together"

(Image credit: Ed McCambridge)

FourFourTwo's Editor James Andrew (second from left) poses with fellow Fulham fans outside the Olympiastadion

(Image credit: James Andrew)

Pre-match vindaloo?

Watch England fans warm up with a bit of vindaloo as the England team warm-up on the pitch below.

Hopefully England will score one more than... Spain

27 years of hurt

Ian Wright celebrates scoring at Le Tournoi in 1997 (Image credit: Future)

England triumphed at Le Tournoi de France against the big boys of world football in 1997 – read the story of that strange little international competition over a quarter of a century later that England actually won!

Le Tournoi, 27 years on: When England last won a tournament

So then, England fans

This lot have the right idea. Don't get caught needing a snack in the tenth minute (Image credit: Getty Images)

13 minutes till kick off. Check in with yourself. How are you feeling? Do you need a wee? A drink? A final pre-match ciggie? Go for one of each anyway (unless you’ve kicked the tabs, in which case leave that one out). 

Pre-empt. Anticipate. Be ready. Because opportunities like these, to watch your country in a major final, don’t come around very often.

It might feel like you do, on some level, but you don’t want to miss any of it. And if you’re unlucky enough not to be near a TV, a radio, a steady enough internet connection to support streaming, don’t worry, because we’re going to bring you all the action on this here live blog.

Who's getting that trophy?

Italy lifted the trophy last time out (Image credit: Getty Images)

In no more than three hours, possibly as few as two, Italy will no longer be European champions.

Spain have won it three times before. England have won in none times before. Seems only fair to give someone else a turn imo.

Giorgio Chiellini has just placed the trophy onto the plinth to mark the handover.

Booyaka booyaka, 304

Lamine Yamal: did you know he's young? Not sure if it's been mentioned (Image credit: JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

As the BBC have just informed the nation, Lamine Yamal's celebration consists of the numbers '304', which is a reference to the postcode of his home town of Mataro.

Let's hope we don't get a rendition of it tonight.

Here we go then

The English national anthem rings out pre-game for the final time at the tournament. For a seventh successive time, both the players and fans are about two seconds late to their mark, as is only traditional. You could count it in in four time, but where's the fun in that?

Spain have stood wordlessly through their wordless national anthem with the fans bellowing the melody.

And after the handshakes and pendants and photos, we're going to be ready for kick-off.

KICK OFF

No, you don't have time for one final scream, because we're in action. Kobbie Mainoo has kicked off the Euro 2024 final.

3 - Tentative opening

Both sides feeling each other out a bit in the early going. Neither team generated any fluency in these first three minutes, with both goalkeepers getting touches - but Spain are the ones who look more likely to get control of the possession as it stands. A bit impatient from England so far.

5 - Get stuck in

If Lamine Yamal went for a water break, Luke Shaw would follow him. The left-back is happy to break conventional positioning to stay on his man. Won three tackles out of three so far. Good.

8 - Spain dominating

Spain have now added territory to their possession, but are yet to create a clear cut chance. They try and get in behind the England defence now, but Rice is back superbly to soak it up (as rice will do) and take the ball away.

10 - England free kick

England finally string a few passes together, getting to the edge of the Spain third before Bellingham is brought down out the left wing.

Chance to cross from deep here for England...Shaw over it.

In from him, Guehi fouls his man as Stones heads it across the box.

12 -  Spain corner

Williams gets up the Spain left and to the byline, but is stopped by a challenge at the cost of a corner.

Williams delivers to the back post, headed back across the box by Rodri, but Le Normand's attempt at a Bellingham-esque overhead kick goes tamely wide. No danger there in the end.

Walker was injured in the build-up to that corner and is hobbling a bit. Kieran Trippier has been sent to warm up.

14 - Acres of space

Williams is getting a lot of space out on the Spain left. We know England will be happier with him going outside than in, but it looks dangerous nonetheless.

This move comes to nothing, but it's making us nervous.

15  - England corner

Walker looks alright now, as he proves by getting forward and onto Saka's pass to get to the byline and cross. Blocked at source, but that's a corner.

In low from Foden, cleared. Not a good delivery.

England are forced back into their own half to reset in possession. Still no clear-cut chances yet.

16 - Careful now

The camera angle was deceptive for a moment as Stones lumped it 35 yards back to Pickford - it was actually going some way wide of goal, but looked for a moment like a potential embarrassment.

Pickford calmly gathers it and puts England on the attack. Their ingress into the box is blocked, but they come again through Saka...but his short ball to Foden on the edge of the box is just too far ahead of him and again Spain get it away, with Laporte mopping up.

19 - Shaw-footed

Olmo's dangerous ball across the edge of the England box catches everyone off guard except Yamal...and Shaw, who reads it brilliantly and gets there first to cut it out and get it well clear.

The left-back has been super so far. Yamal not really had a sniff...yet.

24 - Spain corner

Shades of the Dutch goal in the semi-finals there as Foden loses the ball on the edge of his own third, but England respond much better this time. Corner to Spain, though.

England get it clear and Carvajal cynically fouls Saka just inside the England half.

Still goalless in Berlin.

25 - Attack

England get to the edge of the box with some lovely footwork from Shaw getting him past Carvajal, but again are stopped in a crowd of players in both white and red shirts with neither Mainoo nor Bellingham able to take control.

Spain clear, England attack gain, and Kane commits a foul after letting the ball get away from him slightly. Right call - caught Ruiz on the ankle on the follow-through.

27 - Styles clash

Spain have played three times as many passes as England so far, recording 70% possession. Attack vs counter-attack. But Southgate's side have had almost as many promising moments at the other end...neither goalkeeper tested yet.

That continues now, but Ruiz's speculative effort is deflected and loops gently into Pickford's calm and waiting hands.

31 - Spain yellow

Olmo can't believe he's had a foul given against him after colliding with Rice, let alone been booked.

The replays show his protests are absolute nonsense: he put his boot into Rice's hip on a 50/50 ball. Was trying to win the ball, in fairness, but a poor challenge. Yellow card the correct decision.

33 - Scrappy

It's gone very bitty out there with a lot of collisions, niggly fouls and stoppages. Both Bellingham and Foden have been stepped on in the past minute or two.

Foden stayed down for a moment after his, but thankfully was able to get up and carry on.

34 - Spain corner

Yet more assured defending from Shaw against Yamal as he tries to get around him and to the byline, but this time Spain get a corner out of it.

Looked a dangerous ball, and Laporte fees Rice has fouled him. The ref gives a corner...is this going to VAR?

No, it's not. But the ref does have a word to say "no more of that" before the next corner is taken. It goes short, England get it clear, and Olmo has to chase Mainoo to get the ball back for Spain on halfway. Good work by the Spain forward.

37 - Overloads

We've seen a bit more of Williams going to the right or Yamal coming to the left to support one another and try to give the England full-backs too much to handle. So far England have been equal to it.

Those England counters from earlier in the half have virtually ceased now, with Spain reacting well with a combination of good tackles and fouls to break their rhythm and force them backwards.

40 - Better...then dangerous

England finally get some time on the ball, and a great run up the middle from Stones sees the centre-back cross halfway and go into the final third. His attempt to find Kane is cut out, though, and Spain try a quick counter...good defensive transition from England in response, and it comes to nothing.

Spain reset, Rice wins possession, England get up the left, Kane switches right to Saka. Back to Mainoo with players ahead of him inside the box, but it's much too easy for Le Normand to cut out his pass on the edge of the box. Shame.

43 - Recovery and covering

Morata is tenacious as he gets into the England box under pressure from Guehi, who does just enough to stop him from getting any sight of goal before Stones comes across to help him out and win a tackle.

Half time just around the corner and it's still nil-nil, with both keepers still yet to face any real tests.

45 - England attack, England free kick

Bellingham robs the ball from clubmate Carvajal just outside the Spain box and bursts forward before finding Kane on the edge of the box, but Rodri closes him down to make sure he blocks it as soon as it leaves Kane's foot.

The loose ball comes out to Walker, with Williams' little push giving England the chance to cross from the right.

Two minutes of added time signalled as Rice and Shaw look at the cross.

In from Rice. Glancing header from Spain takes it away from Guehi, but Foden reacts really quickly to get a volley on goal as he falls backwards, and Spain keeper Simon has to save it at the near post. Best chance so far for either side, but still a pretty routine one for Simon.

HALF TIME: Spain 0-0 England

Very much a major tournament final: tense, tight, with very little quarter given by either side.

Still anybody's game. Spain dominating the ball, but England have had moments on the counter and from that late set piece.

How many minutes does Luke Shaw have in the tank?

The BBC pundits are rightly gushing about Shaw's performance in that first half: Yamal has had virtually no influence on the game so far thanks to the Manchester United man, who has won every single battle against the talented 17 year old.

The question is, how many minutes can he play? Could Trippier do the same job? And if Shaw does stay on, can he maintain the required legs over the full 90, if not 120 minutes?

Does anyone know what's on iPlayer?

Just think, that's the last time you'll have to see the same iPlayer promo at half time of a Euros game this summer. If we're not watching the stuff you're advertising after seeing it 400 times already then we're not going to, BBC.

Here they come

The two sides are coming out of the tunnel.

Alex Scott at half time feels England need more movement up top than Kane has offered them, and it's hard to disagree.

I do disagree, however, with their assessment that Spain are winning the tactical battle: I think England are giving them exactly the game they intended to give them at the back.

Rodri appears not to have made it out of the tunnel?

Spain sub

Martin Zubimendi has indeed replaced Rodri for Spain at the break. A like for like change, with the Real Sociedad man making his tenth international outing.

There he is

Looking Bored At The Football's Noel Gallagher is present in Berlin.

Second half

Back under way for the second 45 minutes. Will we need more than that? We will as it stands: still 0-0 at the restart.

47 - GOAL SPAIN - 1-0

But it's not 0-0 now!

Nico Williams opens the scoring!

Carvajal's clever little first-time outside of the foot pass from the touchline finally sees Yamal get away from Shaw as he comes inside to pick up the ball before finding Williams in space to his left.

That gives the Athletic winger loads of time to pick his spot, and he fires it low past a helpless Pickford.

Big, big battle for England now.

49 - Olmost

Williams has absolute acres again from another Spain attack, but this time plays it in to Olmo, who has a good chance to make it 2-0...but he shanks it wide.

A let-off for England, who have been completely off it since coming back out fof the second half. Wake up lads.

52 - Got to do better

Spain have really dropped back now, and England have a lot more space to play the ball for an extended period.

They work it out to Walker, but his cross is absolutely woeful - 20 feet over everyone's heads and out of play on the far side. The right-back has not had his best outing tonight.

53 - Yellow card

Stones goes in the book for a cynical foul on Zubimendi, pulling the front of the collar of his shirt from behind to stop him getting to the edge of the box.

Spain's free kick comes to nothing, but at 1-0 up, they don't need it to.

What have you got here, England?

55 - Guehi calls for help - and he's right to

The centre-back has to make a block outside his own box, doing so well, and as he gets up he SCREAMS at his teammates - especially the midfield to ask just where the hell they were on that move and demand more.

And, indeed, moments later Guehi is left exposed one on one, leading to a Spain chance as Morata tries to slip it past Pickford. It's going wide but Stones doesn't know, and he gets back to clear it away.

Then, as Spain come again, Williams finds space to shoot from just outside the box in a central position. Not far wide, and as Alan Shearer puts it, England are on the ropes now.

58 - Change coming

England are preparing Ollie Watkins to come on. Can he do it again?

He can't be quieter than Kane has been. Completely anonymous on and off the ball. Should swap names with Ciro Immobile.

60 - A bit better

Saka gets into the box but his cutback for Kane is cut out. A few moments later, Saka chases down his man to win possession and keep the pressure on England's side.

And now here is that change. Watkins is on, Kane runs off. Oh, so he can move...

62 - England free kick

Saka continues his lively spell and is hauled down by Williams out on the right wing. A good crossing position.

The referee has to have a word with captains Morata and (now) Walker after tempers flare slightly following that incident. Nothing serious, bit of handbags.

Foden crosses. Headed clear, then England forced to go back to Pickford. Lumped to Foden, who holds off Cucurella to win it and work it back towards Saka and Mainoo. Saka plays it square to Bellingham, who spins 180 degrees on to his left foot to get away from his man and drills it JUST wide of the post! Really close.

65 - Nice try

Imagine: a striker making a run in behind! Watkins gets the better of Le Normand and Walker spots it, playing a long ball over the top, but it's a bit too long and runs out for a goal kick. Watkins claims corner in vain...don't think so.

66 - BIG save!

It's Spain on the counter-attack now, and Yamal is briefly stopped by Shaw only for it to sit up nicely for him to regain control and get a curling shot off towards the bottom corner...and Pickford is down superbly to turn it wide!

England defend the corner well, with Spain winning a throw.

And now the other skipper is going off: Morata goes off, on comes Mikel Oyarzabal.

Carvajal takes the armband - and a kiss - from Morata.

69 - Spain corner, England change coming

England have Palmer stripped and ready to come on.

Pickford has to punch twice to stop first a Spain corner and then the follow-up cross, then Ruiz shoots some way over the bar - didn't get any dip on it, never troubling Pickford.

And here's the change. Mainoo off, Palmer on.

71 - Better

Watkins threatens to get through on goal off a through ball, but Spain react well and stop it.

Good work from Saka and Palmer wins the ball back for England after they lose it a few moments later, but Palmer's attempt to replicate his pass for Watkins against the Netherlands is cut out.

GOAL ENGLAND! 1-1

PALMER!

Instant impact from the substitute!

Oyarzabal is forced too wide to get a good shot off at one end, with Pickford saving. He quickly releases the ball and England work it quickly right to Saka. He gets into the box, cuts back to Bellingham, and he pokes it back to the completely unmarked Palmer to sidefoot into the far bottom corner!

There was a tiny deflection on that that JUST took it beyond Simon's reach!

75 - England scent blood

It's been all England since that goal, with Spain now the ones looking shell-shocked!

Still 15 minutes plus stoppages to go in the 90 minutes. Is there another twist to come in this game?

78 - OK, Spain are over it

The game has settled back into the pattern of the first half. Williams gets the better of Walker on the left to cross, and England have to concede a corner.

Walker has been poor, for my money. Giving Williams much too much space.

Anyway, that corner gets cleared, despite a decent delivery in. Spain forced to reset in their own half.

82 - Danger! Save!

Palmer is robbed on the edge of his own third - a real bad trend for England in the past couple of games - and Spain get into the box with Olmo leaving it for Yamal to strike - but his finish is too close to Pickford, who nonetheless has to get down well to save!

The keeper has had a very dependable game so far. Kept England in it at 1-0 and now again at 1-1. Positioned himself well.

84 - Solid

Spain are probing around the box again, with Foden stopping them getting in from the right.

They come back to a central position then come forward again, with Rice having to put a foot in to stop them again. Corner.

Yamal curls it in, Stones heads it clear, and it ends up back with Spain keeper Simon.

Back forward to Yamal, Pickford thinks about coming but then stays back, and it's a good call: he's in exactly the right place to stop Yamal's dangerous cross.

86 - GOAL SPAIN -  2-1

That'll be that, we imagine. Oyarzabal restores Spain's lead.

Cucurella has loads of space on the left, Walker gets to him too late, Cucurella puts a low ball in towards the six yard box, and Oyarzabal gets in front of Guehi to slide in and poke home a finish from close range with Pickford totally wrong-footed.

89 - Substitutions

Ivan Toney on for Foden. And England have a corner for him to attack.

Before it's taken, Spain make a sub too...Mikel Merino on for Yamal.

Palmer takes the corner....

Rice heads on goal, but Simon saves! Another header, from Guehi, headed off the line! Then Rice puts a third over the bar!

That was the moment, surely.

90+2 - Not long to go

Four minutes have been added on, and there's only two of those left.

Watkins has gone in the book.

90+3 - Pumped forward

England, understandably, look desperate now. They win a free kick on halfway, Pickford lumps it forward, and Saka fouls Cucurella.

Seconds ebbing away for England now.

FULL TIME: SPAIN WIN EURO 2024 (Spain 2-1 England)

That's it. Heartbreak for England again, but you have to say Spain are deserved winners not just on the night, but over the whole summer. They've been the best team out there all summer.

England handled Spain's attacks really well in the first half, but started the second half in dreadful sorts and quickly went behind.

Substitute Cole Palmer made an impact from the bench for England, finding a deflected equaliser...but another substitute, Mikel Oyarzabal, had the final word four minutes from time.

Tears of joy and stony faces

There's the usual contrast on the faces of the respective sides, with several England players in tears while others are just staring off into the middle distance in disbelief.

Spain are going around giving conciliatory handshakes and hugs to the England players and joyful embraces to one another.

And now, the due respect having been shown, England leave the field and Spain can get their celebrations under way in earnest.

Name on the trophy

And that name reads 'Spain' for a record fourth time.

England are defeated finalists for the second Euros in a row - the first team in the history of the competition to have fallen at the final hurdle twice in succession.

s(Pain)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Harry Kane trophy curse: Why England's greatest-ever striker hasn't won silverware

Harry Kane receives a silver medal at Euro 2024 (Image credit: Getty Images)

The words “Harry Kane trophy curse” have haunted not just England fans for a decade, but Tottenham and Bayern Munich supporters now, too. How can a player that good have never won a trophy?

We analyse the curse HERE

English rain...

(Image credit: Future)

In case you've missed it this Tournament, FourFourTwo's Art Director, Anth Moore, has been producing on the whistle graphics after every single game. This is the final one, see the rest on our Instagram grid

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.