

The stage was set for the European Championships finals with all eyes on Spain and England in what proved to be a hugely anticipated encounter. Spain came into the finals full of confidence after winning all six games before the big one, including the likes of heavyweights like Germany and France, while some can say that England had the easier bracket of the draws, winning Slovakia before gaining victories over Switzerland and the Netherlands.
While Spain played wonderful football and win their games due to their sheer dominance and attacking prowess, England scrapped and clawed their way round after round, and one wondered if the finals will take the same tone. Spain were having none of that and dominated proceedings with Nico Williams executing a neat step over to evade John Stones but his shot was blocked by the Manchester City defender. Williams continued to terrorize that flank, evading Kyle Walker before feeding Rodri. The metronome laid the ball for Robin Le Normand whose shot went wide.
England made a rare foray forward with Jude Bellingham evading his Real Madrid teammate, Dani Carvajal, before threading the ball to Harry Kane. The England captain fired a shot goal wards that was blocked by Rodri, but the Spain midfieldee tackled his teammate, Aymeric Laporte, in the follow through. The half ended when Declan Rice lofted a free kick that was flicked inadvertently to Phil Foden’s Pth by Le Normand, but the Premier League Player of the Season fired a weak shot that was saved by Unai Simon. Foden was one of the numerous England players that failed to step up in the entire tournament, especially after a stellar campaign with Man City.
England began the second half on the wrong foot when Lamine Yamal teed up Williams in the danger area and he showed great intelligence to quickly side foot the ball past Jordon Pickford. After stinking the whole place with yet another disappointing performance, Kane was yanked off for Watkins, as Southgate aimed to change the reflection of the game. Kane was nowhere close to his best in this tournament and despite scoring three goals, he largely underwhelmed.
Bukayo Saka teed up a drilled pass to Bellingham that showed great technical ability to control the ball on the turn, but his snap shot went wide off the mark. Spain countered with Fabian Ruiz carefully threading the ball for Lamal in behind Luke Shaw but Pickford was on hand to make a fantastic save to keep the score line at bay. Southgate brought on Cole Palmer for Kobbie Mainoo a dn the young Englishman made an instant impact, receiving a cushioned ball for Bellingham before side footing it home from quite some distance. It was d a brilliant finish from the Chelsea talisman.
England coming from behind had been a consistent theme in the knockout stages and the finals was no different. However, they took their foot off the pedal after sealing the equalizer and had themselves to blame when Marc Cucurella got in behind Walker to send a one time drive that was poked home by Mikel Oyarzabal. Stones and Guehi will not cover themselves in glory, for allowing the diminutive forward to get on their blind side to score what proved to be the match winner.
Ivan Toney was sent in for the Hail Mary, and the final goal mouth action took place when Palmer’s corner kick was headed by Rice but Simon made a brilliant save. Guehi headed the rebound past Simon to send the game to extra time, but Olmo stayed on the line and made a goal like clearance with his head. Rice attacked Olmo’s clearance hurriedly and sent his effort over the bar.
The ref’s final whistle was like music to the ears of the Spanish side as they became the first European nation to win the competition a record four times. It was well deserved as they played the best football all tournament long and looked good for their win.
As for England and Southgate, it was more heartache, as the gaffer has led the three Lions to a World Cup semifinal and two back to back European Championships finals and still fell short. Despite their exciting talent at their disposal, England’s wait for an international trophy continues, as their participation in the 2026 World Cup would mak it 60 years since their last trophy.
The downtrodden players will return to their respective homes to recharge their batteries ahead of a new grueling campaign and they’d have another opportunity to fight for a trophy with the World Cup qualifiers.
It was nice watching the European Championships and providing coverage on the blog, but all focus moves to Arsenal stuff as we brace ourselves for preseason action and transfer market gossip.
Sayonara.
