Luis de la Fuente followed Marc Cucurella’s run very closely, which led to Mikel Oyarzabal’s historic goal. The Spanish coach encouraged him from a distance to keep running and wait for the ball to come to him. When it came to him and he put in the cross that Oyarzabal hooked, De la Fuente went crazy. The goal by the Real Sociedad player meant Spain’s fourth Euro Cup and also the consecration of the Spanish coach. Winner of all the lower categories of European championships, this has raised him to the top. The man laughed, half nervously and half proudly, when he stood before the cameras and microphones of TVE. “I couldn’t be happier, we are a real team, European champions, every day I am more proud of them. Thank you for the support of all of Spain. A team has been crowned,” proclaimed the Riojan coach. Already in the press conference he said: “We have competed in a formidable way, but we can improve more. I am happy with the enthusiasm we have generated.”
2
Unai Simon, Cucurella, Laporte, Dani Carvajal, Le Normand (Nacho, min. 83), Fabian, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal (Merino, min. 89), Nico Williams, Rodrigo (Martin Zubimendi, min. 45) and Morata (Oyarzabal, min. 67)
1
Jordan Pickford, Walker, Shaw, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Kobbie Mainoo, Foden (Ivan Toney, min. 88), Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Kane (Ollie Watkins, min. 60)
Goals 1-0 min. 46: Nico Williams. 1-1 min. 72: Cole Palmer. 2-1 min. 86: Oyarzabal.
Referee François Letexier
Yellow cards Kane (min. 25), Dani Olmo (min. 30), John Stones (min. 53) and Ollie Watkins (min. 91)
Spain improved in the second half. They set the pace of the match with a goal from Nico Williams right at the start of the second half. “It was a question of reinforcing what we are, of confidence, the players know how to interpret each action in the game. They are the best in the world. I already said it and I stand by it,” explained the Spanish coach about the talk he gave at half-time. “The virtue of this team is that we can always be better,” added De la Fuente.
Nico Williams, voted best player of the final, opened the scoring with a cross shot after accompanying a quick transition from the left by Spain that surprised the English. “All our people deserve it. The family, the fans… European champions and now for the World Cup. We have suffered a lot. They have players who can make the difference, but we have been able to counteract them. Nobody can beat us. I already said that we were a great team. All these people deserve it,” warned the Athletic winger. “When the ball went in I thought of thousands of people who have supported us. We have suffered like animals, but we have made history. It is an incredible year, me and my family have fought hard to live these moments,” added the youngest of the Williams brothers.
It was Álvaro Morata, as captain, who was in charge of lifting the trophy 12 years after Iker Casillas did so in kyiv. Asked if he was going to leave the national team, he preferred not to comment. “It is not the time, it would be very selfish of me.” Morata, who has been deeply affected by the criticism and insults he has sometimes suffered in the presence of his wife and children, had a special dedication: “I would like to thank Iniesta and Bojan, without them I would not have played in this Euro. They are very much to blame for me being here. As people who give you life. I can only thank them. They have gone through moments like me. There is always light at the end of everything.”
Morata also claimed to be a striker who works hard: “It’s worth more than having scored 20 goals. I don’t know if it’s obvious, I’ve put on my work clothes. I had to do it to free up space, fight… I’m the happiest Spanish fan in the world.”
“We had a very good tournament. It would have been a shame to have fallen by the wayside. England also did well, but I think we are the clear winners,” said goalkeeper Unai Simón.
Rodri had to be replaced at half-time due to muscular problems. After the match, in addition to the collective joy of winning the European Championship, he was named the best player of the tournament. “It is certainly the best day of my career. We have been European champions, even though that is difficult. We are the most successful team. Previous generations have shown us the way,” said the Manchester City midfielder. “This is the most difficult tournament that a Spanish team has won. The most difficult side of the draw has ultimately been a blessing. It speaks of the team’s mentality. This is something that is cultivated, many of us were champions of the U19, U21… The manager knew what he was doing,” concluded Rodri.
You can follow EL PAÍS Sports on Facebook and Xor sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.
