Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Spain2 - 1England

sportsmole.co.uk, 14 July 2024, 22:55
Spain starlet Lamine Yamal professed that winning Euro 2024 with his country was the best birthday gift that he could have wished for following La Roja's 2-1 triumph over England in Sunday's final at the Olympiastadion.

The Barcelona protege - who only celebrated his 17th birthday on Saturday - was bestowed with the Best Young Player of the Tournament prize after helping Spain win a record-breaking fourth title in Europe's premier tournament.

Yamal was ineffective in the first half, having been kept in check by Luke Shaw - making his first start in nearly five months - but he had a telling impact just two minutes into the second period.

After smartly letting the ball run across his body, Yamal charged at the England backline before laying off Nico Williams, who did not even take a touch before firing a fierce first-time effort past Jordan Pickford.

England managed to level matters through Cole Palmer, but Spain managed to call upon a super substitute of their own, as Mikel Oyarzabal netted the strike that secured a historic title for La Roja.

Yamal: 'I don't know what Spain are made of'

Yamal was frustrated in his efforts to score on the evening - being denied by Jordan Pickford on a couple of occasions - but he still ends an exceptional tournament with one goal and four assists to his name.

Among the individual records that the 17-year-old has broken are the youngest man to play and score in the Euros, the first teenager to set up three goals at one Euros tournament and the youngest man to appear in a World Cup or Euros final.

Reflecting on a magical month in Germany, Yamal unsurprisingly hailed his Euros winners medal as the best gift he could have received while also talking up the mental fortitude of his teammates.

"I am very happy. This is a dream. I'm looking forward to returning to Spain and celebrating with all the fans. It's the best birthday present ever," the 17-year-old told reporters. "When England equalised, it was difficult. I don't know what this team is made of, but we always manage to get back up."

Spain's hopes of glory suffered a major hit just before half time, when midfield fulcrum Rodri gingerly left the field in pain, and the Manchester City man did not emerge for the second half in Berlin.

Rodri: 'Spain will not stop here'

Martin Zubimendi filled Rodri's shoes for the second period and did a competent job, before the latter was handed the Player of the Tournament prize after keeping the momentum going from another brilliant domestic campaign.

Speaking to ITV Sport at full time, Rodri still reserved special praise for his former Man City teammate Palmer, while insisting that there is no limit on what Spain can achieve in the coming years.

"I know these guys, Cole Palmer is a top player. He's going to be a huge star in the next years," Rodri said. "Imagine what we have next. We are so happy.

"We made history but it doesn't stop here. We have talent and we'll keep going. It's important to celebrate what we have done."

On the other side of the coin, England captain Harry Kane admitted that Sunday's defeat would hurt for a while, as the Three Lions became the first team to lose consecutive European Championship finals.

Top News

24 December 2024 talksport.com Martin Keown believes that Ethan Nwaneri could be the man to best deputise for Bukayo Saka at Arsenal. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have enquired about the availability of Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi in January, according to a report. 24 December 2024 talksport.com 'Tis the season to be jolly, but perhaps not if your name is Michael Olise. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On a seemingly unstoppable surge towards Premier League title number two, Liverpool return from their brief Christmas hiatus on Boxing Day, hosting Leicester City in the 8pm kickoff. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Short-serving Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo seeks to prolong Spurs' festive misery on Boxing Day, when his Nottingham Forest side tackle the Lilywhites at the City Ground. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool sit top at Christmas having mauled Tottenham and fans are dreaming of more title glory. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Christmas is a joyful occasion for many, but some of the Premier League's lower-ranking sides may have slightly muted celebrations. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Former Arsenal star Ray Parlour is known for telling a good story, whether that's on or off the pitch. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sweeping aside every obstacle in their path, Premier League title favourites Liverpool resume their pursuit of stardom at 8pm on Boxing Day, when Leicester City make the jaunt to Anfield. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sitting just above their hosts in the Premier League table, Aston Villa will visit Newcastle United on Boxing Day, aiming to avoid a fifth straight away defeat in England's top flight. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal's quest to win a first Premier League title in 21 years is still on - Bukayo Saka's injury doesn't change anything. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has lost Lucas Paqueta to suspension ahead of Boxing Day's Premier League battle with Southampton at St Mary's. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Football and travel chaos seem to go hand-in-hand over winter, but no one's had it quite as bad as Tottenham fans in 1996. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ivan Juric oversees his first Southampton match on Boxing Day, when the Saints pit their wits against West Ham United at St Mary's in the Premier League. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by two points and two places in the Premier League table, Newcastle United and Aston Villa will both aim to boost their top-four ambitions when they clash on Boxing Day. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Boxing Day marks the beginning of a new era for Premier League basement boys Southampton, as Ivan Juric takes charge of his inaugural game at home to West Ham United. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Manchester City have the chance to finally end their dreadful form on Boxing Day when they host Everton, live on talkSPORT. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal's quest for a first Premier League title since 2004 is already in jeopardy - with the January transfer window coming at a perfect time. 24 December 2024 talksport.com Carlos Corberan is set to leave West Brom and become the new manager of Valencia, talkSPORT understands. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is apparently under no pressure to select Marcus Rashford after the forward's bombshell interview. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's 'implosion' can be attributed to a number of factors this season, but Pep Guardiola's champions-in-crisis have simply reached the "natural end of an era", Steven McInerney of Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As two of the West London clubs that have spent the most time in the top flight of English football, Chelsea and Fulham are well accustomed to each other. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As two of the oldest clubs in English football, Everton and Manchester City have been at the heartbeat of two major footballing cities since the late-1800s, and their paths have crossed more than most others in the game. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal meet Ipswich Town for the first time in over 13 years when the Tractor Boys arrive at the Emirates for Friday's Premier League showdown. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool forward Luis Diaz reportedly has no plans to leave the club despite being linked with a potential move to Barcelona. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has questioned why the club and manager Pep Guardiola 'have not adapted" to the demands of the modern schedule as pressure mounts on one of the world's best coaches. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will look to bounce back from a heavy 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth when they travel to Molineux for their Boxing Day clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been dealt a blow in their quest to sign AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic.