If football is going home, it is only because this final belonged to Spain. A record fourth European ÂChampionship title was their reward for a splendid performance in Berlin, even though it briefly seemed ÂEngland would produce another illogical escape act.
Anything other than a 27th Âconsecutive win for a Spanish team in a final would have been a travesty. They led when their flying wingers combined, Lamine Yamal setting up Nico Williams, and they gathered their thoughts after Cole Palmerâs equaliser. When the substitute, Mikel Oyarzabal, scored with four minutes to go, it was not a surprise. There was no misfortune to Gareth Southgateâs heartache. England were outclassed by Luis de la Fuenteâs refined side and it was another occasion when Harry Kane failed to perform on the big stage.
In a tournament dominated by debate over Southgateâs decisions, few have felt bigger than his call on Luke Shaw. A few weeks ago, it seemed utterly illogical to have picked a squad containing one hamstrung left-back. Yet Southgate has constantly backed himself and here, with Shaw ready for his first start in 148 days, there was the boldness to replace Kieran Trippier with the 29-year-old on the left and trust that he would be sharp enough to deal with Lamine Yamal after the teenagerâs defenestration of France.
England had to be ready to suffer without the ball. They altered their shape â instead of the 3-4-2-1 of the previous two games, it was a 4-4-1-1 with Jude Bellingham in an inside-left role and Phil Foden tasked with smothering Rodri â but they could have done without Kyle Walker almost injuring himself when he Âcontrived to slide off the pitch and into De la Fuente. There was space for Spain to attack and John Stones had to make a vital Âchallenge on Williams.
A couple of bursts from Bukayo Saka aside, the next 15 minutes were all about Spain probing against Englandâs low block. Fabián Ruiz and Dani Olmo were already making Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice chase them, while there was angst when a mistake from Foden let in Lamine Yamal, whose shot was deflected behind.
England produced occasional aggression, although Kaneâs desperation to get involved saw him booked when he overcooked a rare touch of the ball and caught Ruiz. This was already a grind. England needed Âbetter hold-up play from Kane but he was ponderous with his next touch and easily dispossessed. Aymeric Laporte and Robin Le Normand, who had hooked wide from a corner, were not being stretched.
There was more defending for ÂEngland to do when Yamal ran at Shaw, who conceded a corner. Olmo had a shot blocked before Marc Guéhi and Stones combined to stop Ãlvaro Morata from racing through on goal.
For all Spainâs possession, though, they were not playing with enough incision. There was a clear plan from Southgate, whose defenders were pushing their opponents wide and forcing them into aimless crosses. This was a game of patience and there were isolated moments of Âencouragement for England, not least when Bellingham robbed Dani ÂCarvajal and fed Kane. Rodri, who had already closed down one effort from Rice, was there to deny Englandâs captain, while Spain also needed Unai Simón to make a simple save from Foden just before half-time.
But they were still sleeping in the 47th minute. The pressing from Kane and Foden disintegrated, enabling Martin Zubimendi to slip through midfield, Englandâs shape a mess. Suddenly, everything was a yard off, Shaw failing to see Lamine Yamal coming in from the flank and slipping away from him. Carvajal was able to find the winger and the sideways pass that followed was perfectly weighted, allowing Williams to charge in from the left, open up his left foot and slip a low shot beyond Walker, Jordan ÂPickford well beaten.
It was a beautifully worked goal, infusing Spain with confidence, and the next 10 minutes were chastening for England. Composure eluding them, they were fortunate not to lose the game there and then. Olmo fired a shot just wide, Stones cleared off the line from Morata and Williams went close from 20 yards.
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England unravelled further, Rice and Stones woeful in possession, Guéhi screaming at his teammates. Bellingham wasted a chance to find the overlapping Shaw and there were howls of frustration when Kane failed to attack Fodenâs cutback.
Southgate had seen enough, Âhauling Kane off for the sprightlier Ollie Watkins, but still Spain attacked. Pickford made a stunning stop from Lamine Yamal. Palmer replaced Mainoo, who had tired against classy opponents.
Who said Southgate canât make substitutions? After another Âdangerous Spain burst, England countered through Bellingham and Palmer, Saka free on the right. Another pass to Bellingham, who fell and touched it back to Palmer, who was his nonchalant self as he equalised by caressing a left-footed shot past Simón from 20 yards.
Back came Spain, another Âfirecracker from Lamine Yamal Âtesting Pickford. A goal was coming, England still too open through the middle. They worked the ball to the left, Marc Cucurella got there before Walker and his low cross was turned in by Oyarzabal.
England had one last heave. Rice headed a corner at Simón and Guéhiâs follow-up was forced off the line by Olmo. The hurt goes on.
