Euro 2024 became the focus of all sports news in June and July. Football fans and sports bettors were excited to know who would become a Euro Cup holder this year. Those who did not know where to follow the latest news and statistics on football events used sport betting sites list to see the most reliable platforms for betting with the best betting odds. Those who bet on Spain managed to receive substantial winnings as this team has become a winner!
The Triumph of Spain
On Sunday, July 14, in the final of the European Football Championship held in Germany, the Spanish national team beat England 2:1. Spain won the European title for the fourth time and set a new tournament record for the number of trophies. Before this tournament, they shared the best result with Germany – both teams had three cups. In the 47th minute, Nico Williams, taking advantage of an elegant pass from Lamine Yamal, who celebrated his 17th birthday on Saturday, put the Spanish national team ahead. Yamal, with four assists, became the best assist provider at Euro 2024.
The Spanish could have doubled their lead immediately, but Dani Olmo missed from a good position. Alvaro Morata, Williams, and Yamal also missed good chances. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved the England national team in several situations.
In the 73rd minute, substitute Cole Palmer, who had the ball rolled out to him for a shot by Jude Bellingham, restored the balance. In the 86th minute, Mikel Oyarzabal responded to a cross from Marc Cucurella to make it 2-1 in Spain’s favor.
The English could have equalized soon, but after a shot from Marc Gueja, Olmo cleared the ball off the line. The Spanish team won the match and became European champions for a record fourth time. The Spanish had previously won the tournament in 1964, 2008, and 2012.
England lost the European Championship final for the second time in a row. They were beaten by Italy on penalties in the previous tournament. The English team’s only trophy is the 1966 World Cup.
The best player of Euro 2024 was recognized as the midfielder of the Spanish national team Rodri.
The Spanish national team became the second team in history to win seven matches at the Euro. The first team to achieve this achievement was Italy at Euro 2020.
The final was held at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, the tournament’s largest venue with a capacity of 71,000 spectators. In addition to the Euro 2024 final, the stadium also hosted three group stage matches, a round of 16 match, and a quarter-final.
Pre-match History of England and Spain Teams
The teams last met in the 2018/19 UEFA Nations League, exchanging away wins. At Wembley on September 8, 2018, the Spanish won with a score of 2:1, and on October 15, 2018, in Seville, the English team achieved success with a score of 3:2.
At Euro 2024, the Spanish national team, having earned the maximum nine points, won Group B. The Spanish won against Croatia (3:0), Italy (1:0), and Albania (1:0). In the 1/8 finals, they defeated the Georgians (4:1), in the quarterfinals – the hosts of the tournament, the Germans (2:1 in extra time), and in the semifinals – the French (2:1).
The England team, without showing an impressive game, won Group C. After defeating the Serbs (1:0), the British played two draws—with Denmark (1:1) and Slovenia (0:0).
In the 1/8 finals, Jude Bellingham saved the team with an incredible goal in a fall over himself in the match against Slovakia, and Harry Kane scored the winning goal in extra time (2:1). In the quarterfinals with Switzerland, the English again had to fight back – Bukayo Saka helped, equalizing the score. In the penalty shootout, the England team flawlessly executed all five kicks and made it to the semi-finals, where they were stronger than the Netherlands (2:1).
17-year-old Spanish footballer Lamin Yamal made four assists at Euro 2024, equaling the championship record. He also became the youngest footballer in history to play in the European Championship final.
