It just was not meant to be for Gareth Southgate and his England side.
After a tournament run filled with adversity, The Three Lions found themselves in the Euro 2024 final, but it proved to be a step too far as Spain ran out deserved victors.
A lacklustre first 45 minutes saw Spain dominate possession without many real chances, whilst England were dogged in defence.
La Roja would take the lead through Nico Williams in the 47th minute, with a left footed strike into the bottom right corner.
After failing to take their chances, Spain were punished when substitute Cole Palmer equalised for England with a long range effort in the 73rd minute.
With extra time beckoning, Mikel Oyarzabal would become the hero for his nation, scoring in the 86th minute to divert a Marc Cucurella cross past Jordan Pickford and secure Spain's 4th European Championship trophy.
Here are VAVEL's player ratings for the game:
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Spain
Unai Simon - 7
Simon made a super save to deny a Rice header at 2-1 to ensure Spain remained in front. The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper was an asset in possession and showcased quality distribution.
Dani Carvajal - 7
The Real Madrid right-back continued his successful season, adding another winners medal to his trophy cabinet. Carvajal was solid throughout and provided ample support to Yamal on the right flank.
Robin Le Normand - 7
The Real Sociedad defender was solid defensively, and superb in possession in a confident display.
Aymeric Laporte - 7
Laporte continued his impressive tournament with a very assured display, nullifying Kane and offering a valuable option in possession.
Marc Cucurella - 7
The Chelsea defender was superb, winning his battle versus England dangerman Saka. Cucurella was very aggressive defensively, and offered significant threat going forward, assisting the winning goal with a delicious cross that Oyarzabal was able to steer home.
Rodri - 7
The "UEFA Player of the Tournament" delivered his usual superb performance, dictating play during the first half for Spain and making crucial defensive contributions.
Rodri was forced off injured at half time and was replaced by Zubimendi.
Fabian Ruiz - 8
The Paris Saint Germain midfielder continued his sublime tournament, acting as an engine to the Spain team. Fabian was box to box, helping retain possession and putting England to the sword under the aggressive man to man press.
Lamine Yamal - 7
After a quiet first-half, where Shaw got the better of Yamal, the teenage sensation sprang to life. Constantly finding space on the right Spanish flank, driving at defenders and making things happen. It was Yamal who received the ball off Carvajal and then played Williams through for the opening goal.
The Barcelona man would also go close to scoring, twice drawing saves from Pickford, but he will likely feel he could have done better with both chances.
Dani Olmo - 8
Olmo continued his scintillating form. In possession he offered intricate link-up and utilised the ball craftily. Out of possession the RB Leipzig midfielder was a dog, harassing the England players and winning possession back frequently. His goal-line clearance from Guehi secured victory for his side.
Nico Williams - 8
The Athletic Bilbao man was a constant menace throughout, utilising his pace and directness to cause significant problems for England. His performance was capped off by opening the scoring in the 47th minute, latching onto a Yamal through pass and duly dispatching a left footed strike into the bottom right corner.
Alvaro Morata - 6
Morata worked tirelessly but his hold up play was not at its usual level today, as he struggled against Stones and Guehi. Had more success second half as he found more space.
Substitutes
Martin Zubimendi - 7
Zubimendi replaced the injured Rodri at half-time and was assured and confident. The Real Sociedad midfielder picked up where his counterpart had left off, dictating the play and tempo of possession, whilst providing ample defensive cover.
Mikel Oyarzabal - 7
Oyarzabal was the hero scoring the winner in the 86th minute with a first time finish and secure Euro 2024 for Spain. Oyarzabal also worked tirelessly and linked up well with his teammates after replacing Morata.
Nacho Fernandez - 6
The experienced defender brought an assuredness with him when he came on and helped see the game out for his side.
Mikel Merino - N/A
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England
Jordan Pickford - 7
The Everton shot-stopper was a standout performer, as he has been all tournament. Pickford made several crucial saves to keep England in the tie and dealt with several dangerous crosses decisively. Distribution was lacking, but that was a common theme across the England side.
Kyle Walker - 3
Woefully out of position for both goals, tucking in far too much and failing to react when the ball was played out to Williams and Cucurella respectively. Also lost the ball several times in precarious positions.
John Stones - 5
Had been fantastic defensively throughout before the 86th minute, where he was unaware to the danger behind him and got caught in no man's land, where he played Oyarzabal onside and was bypassed by the cross into the box.
Marc Guehi - 5
Similar to Stones, Guehi had made several key defensive contributions throughout the game but will perhaps feel he may have done better for the second Spanish goal. Oyarzabal had managed to get first run on Guehi, who ended up on the wrong side and unable to stop the Spain attacker from scoring the winner.
Luke Shaw - 5
On his return to the starting eleven, Shaw had a fantastic first half, nullifying Yamal, and offering a wide threat in possession. Sadly for England this was not replicated in the second half, where Yamal consistently got the better of him and Shaw was caught out of possession several times.
For the first Spain goal, Shaw was indecisive on whether to press Carvajal or go with Yamal and in doing neither, was easily bypassed, leaving Yamal in lots of space to assist Williams.
Kobbie Mainoo - 4
After such an impressive display versus the Netherlands, the Manchester United midfielder failed to impact the game and was virtually non-existent. The midfielder was unable to play progressively on the ball and was a target in the aggressive Spain press. Was also often caught out of position, with him and Rice often pushing forward second half and leaving large spaces for Olmo to operate.
Declan Rice - 4
Similar to his midfield partner, Rice struggled to play progressively, often giving the ball away needlessly and putting England under pressure. Was often caught out of position second half and again struggled under the aggressive Spanish press.
Bukayo Saka - 5
Saka was often England's brightest threat, occupying good positions on the right-hand side. Unfortunately for The Three Lions Saka's end product eluded him, and Cucurella came out on top in their duel.
Phil Foden - 5
Foden struggled to impact the game, often becoming isolated due to England's inability to progress the ball. When he did receive the ball the Manchester City man showed glimpses of his quality but was unable to create anything of substance.
Jude Bellingham - 6
Whilst Bellingham struggled in possession, the Real Madrid man was able to provide the assist for Palmer's equaliser, setting a perfectly weighted pass for Palmer to strike.
Bellingham offered a lot defensively, winning nine out of his 14 ground duels and making several contributions, such as six tackles showcasing a grittier side to his game than we have become accustomed to.
Harry Kane - 3
The England captain managed to accrue a grand total of 13 touches in his 61 minutes, failing to offer an outlet to England in a performance Kane will not want to remember.
Whilst he did struggle for a lack of service, Kane only managed to complete five of his ten attempted passes, breaking down any moves which did manage to find a way to him. Kane was also unable to put any pressure on the Spain defenders, allowing them easy possession.
Substitutes
Ollie Watkins - 5
Whilst Watkins was able to ruffle the Spain defenders on the ball, and showcased a viable threat in behind, he spent the majority of his time on the pitch amongst the fringes of play, and was unable to impact the game.
Cole Palmer - 7
Palmer was bright spark in his cameo, looking to play progressively and showing positive intent. It was the Chelsea mans superb strike from outside the box which equalised for England and offered Southgate's side a route back into the game.
Ivan Toney - N/A
