England’s wait for a first major men’s trophy since 1966 goes on after substitute Mikel Oyarzabal struck at the death as Spain inflicted a second successive European Championship final defeat on Gareth Southgate’s side.
Three years ago the nation stood on the edge of history, only for an agonising, all too familiar, shoot-out defeat meaning they had to walk past the trophy as Italy celebrated long into the Wembley night.
England overcame an unconvincing start in Germany to make another continental showpiece, but the country’s first ever final on foreign soil ended in more heartbreak as silky Spain triumphed 2-1 at the Olympiastadion.
Substitute Cole Palmer’s superb equaliser had breathed new life into Southgate’s side after Nico Williams shook what had looked sturdy foundations 69 seconds into the second half.
But England could not wrest control from mightily impressive Spain, with Oyarzabal sliding home what proved the decisive blow four minutes from time.
Marc Guehi saw a header cleared off the line as England showed the never-say-die attitude that has served them so well in Germany, but Southgate’s side just did not have enough in his 102nd – and potentially last – match in charge.
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