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The match began cautiously, with both sides showing resilience in defense during a tense first half. Clear-cut opportunities were sparse until the second half whistle sparked a flurry of action. Spain wasted no time asserting their dominance after halftime, with young sensation Williams breaking the deadlock just moments into the half with a precise low strike into the corner of the net, becoming the second-youngest scorer in Euro final history.
England, however, refused to capitulate. Manager Gareth Southgate's tactical substitutions paid dividends when Palmer, only on the pitch for 142 seconds, swiftly equalized for the Three Lions, injecting renewed energy and hope into their campaign.
As the match approached its climax, it was Spain's turn to change the narrative. Oyarzabal, brought on as a substitute, made an impeccable timed run and capitalized on a decisive moment in the 86th minute, poking the ball past the English goalkeeper to reclaim Spain's lead. Despite England's desperate attempts to force extra time, with Rice's header saved and Toney's effort cleared off the line in the dying seconds, Spain held firm.
Statistically, Spain's superiority was evident, generating an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.77 from their 16 attempts compared to England's 0.55 from nine shots. This performance underscored their control and ambition throughout the encounter.
For England, it marks another heartbreaking loss in consecutive European Championship finals, extending their quest to end their trophy drought.
Spain's triumph not only reaffirms their status as a European powerhouse but also crowns a decade-long journey back to the top of international football. For their fans and the nation, this victory will be celebrated as a testament to resilience, strategy, and a never-say-die spirit that defines champions.
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