Mikel Oyarzabal proved Spain’s hero within the Euro 2024 last, sealing a job properly completed for the La Roja substitute in opposition to England.
Actual Sociedad’s Oyarzabal scored with 4 minutes remaining after approaching as a second-half substitute, serving to Luis de la Fuente’s crew to their fourth European Championship crown.
That’s greater than every other nation has managed within the competitors’s 64-year historical past as Spain have been indebted to Oyarzabal’s deft end from Marc Cucurella’s left-wing supply.
The 27-year-old refused to take the approval for his heroics in opposition to Gareth Southgate’s aspect, nonetheless.
“I’ve completed my job. I did what I needed to do at each second to attempt to assist,” Spain’s match-winner advised reporters after Sunday’s 2-1 win.
“I used to be fortunate sufficient to present the victory. Simply the very fact of being within the 27, you worth it lots right here. To have the second to assist because it has occurred to me is one of the best.
“It occurred to me however might have occurred to anybody.”
23 – For the reason that 2002 UEFA Champions League last, Spanish groups and the Spanish nationwide crew have performed in 23 main finals (Champions League, UEFA Cup, Europa League, World Cup, European Championship) in opposition to non-Spanish groups and received the trophy on all 23 events. Campeones. pic.twitter.com/GBiCCCIYul
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 14, 2024
Nico Williams had earlier opened the scoring after the interval earlier than substitute Cole Palmer levelled to tee up a tantalising finale.
Williams, aged 22 years and two days, turned the second youngest participant to attain in a Euros last, behind solely Pietro Anastasi in 1968 for Italy (20 years, 64 days).
His end, simply 69 seconds within the second half, was additionally the earliest second-half aim scored in a European Championship showpiece.
“Euphoric. All our individuals deserve it. We suffered lots. They’d a great crew,” Williams mentioned after full-time in Berlin.
“They’ve gamers who could make the distinction however we have been capable of counter their weapons and ultimately we received the European Championship and we’re very glad.”