If football is going home it is only because this final was in Spain. A record fourth European Championship title was the reward for a splendid performance in Berlin, although for a moment it looked like England were going to perform another illogical escape act.

Anything other than the 27th consecutive victory for a Spanish team in a final would have been a farce. They took the lead when their flying wingers combined, Lamine Yamal setting up Nico Williams, and they gathered their thoughts after Cole Palmer's equaliser. When substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored with four minutes remaining it was no surprise. There was no misfortune in Gareth Southgate's grief. England were outplayed by Luis de la Fuente's refined team and it was another occasion in which Harry Kane failed to perform on the big stage.

In an exciting final played at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Spain won its fourth European Championship after defeating England 2-1. The goals of Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal were key to the victory of the Spanish team, which thus adds another after the titles of 1964, 2008 and 2012.

The game started with intensity, but without goals in the first half. Despite the high expectations, the first half stood out for its strong tension and few clear chances. The only notable intervention by Jordan Pickford, the English goalkeeper, was against a shot by Fabián Ruiz.

At the beginning of the second half, Spain showed renewed aggressiveness. Nico Williams, with just two minutes played in the restart, opened the scoring for Spain. The young striker, after an assist from Lamine Yamal, beat Pickford with a powerful cross shot.

England, however, did not give up easily. Cole Palmer, who had come on to replace Kobbie Mainoo, equalized the score in the 73rd minute with an impressive left footed shot from outside the area, restoring hope to the English team.

But Spain had a dramatic end in store. In the 87th minute, Mikel Oyarzabal, who had replaced Álvaro Morata, scored the winning goal by finishing off a precise cross from Marc Cucurella. This goal sealed the fate of the match and gave Spain the Euro Cup title.

The match, which began with a first half of little action, was decided in the second half thanks to the determination of the Spanish players and the strategy of Luis de la Fuente. The young Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 yesterday, and the outstanding Cucurella, played crucial roles in the outcome of the match.

England, led by Gareth Southgate, fought until the end but could not prevent Spain from taking the trophy. Spain's victory in Berlin closes with a flourish a Euro Cup in which the team demonstrated its quality and determination.