Spain was crowned UEFA Euro 2024 Champions after beating England 2-1 in a tense final game that was played in Berlin, Germany. The match was attended by the leaders of the two teams that were playing as well as the host leader. It was an exhilarating performance that was watched by millions around the world. So what contributed to Spain’s success?
Spain indisputably emerged as the premier team in Germany. They triumphed in all seven matches—six in regulation time and one in extra time—amassing an impressive 15 goals, setting a new record for the tournament. Their victories included defeating the defending champions Italy, the host nation Germany, and pre-tournament favorites France and England. This success was achieved through a style of football that, while still featuring significant possession, has transformed under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente over the past 18 months. A significant factor in this evolution is attributed to the contributions of young wingers Williams, aged 22, and the wonder kid Lamine Yamal, who celebrated his 17th birthday just a day before the final.
Following a triumphant era marked by successive victories in the European Championships and the World Cup from 2008 to 2012, characterized by a possession-dominant approach, the team experienced a subsequent period of decline. This downturn was epitomized by a group-stage elimination at the 2014 World Cup, along with penalty shootout defeats to Russia and Morocco in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively.
Spain dominated possession in both matches, maintaining over 75% control and amassing a total of 36 shots. However, despite this offensive effort, they managed to score just one goal over 240 minutes of play. The difficulty in breaking down defensively deep teams had become a significant issue. Following the 2022 loss to Morocco, De la Fuente, who succeeded Luis Enrique, emphasized the need to modernize the team's style while preserving their foundational principles. This helped them hugely and saw them sail smoothly to the final and to victory.
Upon his appointment as national manager following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, De la Fuente's primary objective was to mold the team into a versatile unit. This ambition was particularly pressing in light of the recent, emotionally charged defeat to Morocco on penalties. A pivotal moment underscoring this need for adaptability occurred during the quarter-final clash against Germany. In the second half, as the hosts mounted intense pressure in pursuit of an equalizer, a significant tactical decision unfolded. Carvajal, recognizing the difficulties faced by the young Yamal against Germany's relentless wing-backs, urged De la Fuente to substitute the struggling teenager. Acknowledging the tactical necessity, De la Fuente concurred, leading to Ferran Torres replacing Yamal in the 63rd minute.
In the realm of Spanish football, while many players are affiliated with prestigious clubs, they frequently do not occupy leading roles within these teams. Yamal, for instance, is still in the process of establishing himself at Barcelona FC. Meanwhile, Olmo plies his trade at RB Leipzig, a club that sits in the mid-table of the Bundesliga. Ruiz and Cucurella remain relatively unnoticed at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, respectively. Williams, who spent the previous season at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, is reportedly the subject of intense interest from Barcelona, who are eager to reunite him with Yamal on the club stage. Notably, Rodri has continued to enhance his reputation as arguably the finest midfielder globally, having been awarded the Best Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024.
Rodri firmly asserts that a player from Spain's victorious Euro 2024 squad is deserving of this year's Ballon d'Or following their remarkable triumph. Rodri himself, who secured his fourth distinct Player of the Tournament accolade, was unfortunately unavailable at half-time during the final in Berlin due to an injury. The Manchester City midfielder also played a crucial role in guiding Pep Guardiola's team to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title prior to the tournament in Germany.
His stellar performances on the field have positioned him as one of the leading contenders for the esteemed award, alongside Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that no Spaniard has clinched the Ballon d'Or since Barcelona's Luis Suarez in 1960, despite the recent dominance of La Liga players in the award's history.
