The Spanish national football team has made history once again, claiming their fourth European Championship title. La Roja secured this remarkable feat on Sunday by defeating England 2-1 in a thrilling match that was evenly balanced and could have tipped in favor of either team. The decisive moment came just five minutes before the final whistle when Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winning goal, leading Spain to victory in Germany and solidifying their place in football history.
With this latest triumph, Spain distinguishes itself as the nation with the most European Championship titles, surpassing Germany, with whom they previously shared the record. This win means that Spain has now claimed the trophy four times, having previously experienced challenging journeys to the final. During this recent edition, they faced formidable opponents including Germany, Italy, France, and England, replicating a similar path they first took in 1964.
Looking back, Spain’s initial victory came in 1964 when they hosted the tournament and advanced past Hungary in the semifinals. The final on June 21, 1964, took place at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu against the Soviet Union. Spain took an early lead with a goal from Chus Pereda in the sixth minute. Though Galimzyan Khusainov equalized for the Soviets, Spain’s Marcelino scored the winning goal in the 84th minute, securing their first championship.
After this remarkable beginning, fans waited 44 years to see Spain lift the trophy again. In 2008, under coach Luis Aragonés, the team aimed to overcome past disappointments in the quarterfinals. They successfully reached the semifinals, defeating Italy in a nail-biting penalty shootout. The team then showcased a new style of play known as tiki-taka, which proved instrumental in their final victory against Germany, where Fernando Torres scored the only goal.
Under different management, Spain entered the 2012 Eurocup with immense confidence, following their recent World Cup win in 2010. Their solid form continued as they progressed through the tournament and defeated Italy in the final with a resounding score of 4-0, featuring goals from Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres, and Juan Mata.
However, after this peak, Spain faced a period of transition and struggle, as the generation responsible for their success began to fade. This lack of direction led to a drop in overall performance and identity. It wasn’t until Luis de la Fuente took charge that the team began to rediscover its strengths.
With a fresh and talented squad, Spain has evolved its playing style, moving away from tiki-taka to a more direct, vertical approach. This change has allowed them to triumph over many heavyweights in football, including the likes of Germany, France, Italy, and now England in the 2024 Eurocup. Thus, Spain has once again claimed the title of European champions, boasting more European Championship trophies than any other nation.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/deportes/2024/07/16/una-historia-llena-de-exito-asi-gano-espana-los-cuatro-titulos-de-la-eurocopa/
