BERLIN: Spain conquered Europe for a record fourth time on Sunday as they beat England to win Euro 2024 and want this historic night to be the beginning of a new period of dominance.

Led by young stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, 17 and 22 respectively, many in Luis de la Fuente’s superb side will hit their prime in the years ahead.

Between 2008 and 2012 Spain dominated international football, winning the Euros in those years and the 2010 World Cup in the middle.

A fallow period followed with Spain falling badly short in most competitions until reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

It was a positive sign but a last 16 defeat by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup spelled the end of Luis Enrique’s reign and the start of what was to come.

No longer dependent on dominating possession, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain play to a wide variety of strengths.

Sometimes they do keep the ball, as in the second half of their semi-final win over pre-tournament favourites France, but are not afraid to go direct, with the speedy and skilful Williams and Yamal duo leaving full-backs for dead on the counter.

Spain’s football has changed but they are hoping their domination of the international stage will be repeated.

“The European champions have been deservedly crowned, today I am even prouder and I hope this impulse will serve to be even better,” said De la Fuente.“You can always improve and that’s our objective... we will do it because these players are an example for everyone, they are so good.”

Three of the stars from their golden generation, Xavi Hernan­dez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa, watched on in the Olymp­iastadion as La Roja lifted a major trophy for the first time in 12 years.

Their elation in Germany comes after a troubled period in which the Spanish football federation became a global laughing stock.

After their brilliant women’s team won the World Cup in Austr­alia last August, disgraced former president Luis Rubiales spar­ked worldwide controversy by forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso.

The man who appointed De la Fuente as Luis Enrique’s replacement eventually stepped down from his post three weeks later under heavy pressure from the government and the women’s players, who went on strike.

De la Fuente came close to the brink himself after applauding a fiery Rubiales speech initially ref­u­sing to resign, but apologised for it later, saying he was under “psychological stress” in the situation.

The coach had also come under heavy scrutiny after a shock defeat by Scotland in Euros qualifying in March 2023, but steadied the ship by winning the Nations League three months later, confirming Spain were on the right track, at least on the field.

With the team no longer dependent on stars from Real Madrid and Barcelona, but instead a real mix including a strong Basque contingent from Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, Spain believed in themselves and their plan, even if others viewed them as lacking players to compete with the likes of France and England for the trophy.

They beat both, as well as hosts Germany and Euro 2020 winners Italy — the other four of Europe’s ‘big five’.

“This is a dream, we are the best national team in Europe,” Rodri told ITV. “Imagine what we have next — we are so happy. We made history but it doesn’t stop here, we have talent and we’ll keep going.”

They won Euro 2024 without Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who suffered a bad knee injury in November, and the Catalan club’s young centre-back Pau Cubarsi, whom De la Fuente left behind this time, but will likely be a key component in the future.

Spain were also without Pedri for the semis and final after he was hurt early in the quarter-final win over Germany and their success was forged thanks to a remarkable collective effort, with several squad players coming off the bench at key moments to make decisive contributions.

Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal became the 10th Spain player to score at the tournament when he set up and finished in the 86th minute to secure a 2-1 win over England.

They had the perfect leader De la Fuente, the man who was mocked on social media as “Luis de la Who?” after his appointment last year, being little known after toiling away at the country’s academy level for over a decade.

He had the chance to work with over half of the players he took to Germany, with names like Rodri, Dani Olmo, Mikel Merino, Oyarz­abal and Fabian Ruiz, who had played big roles under his calm guidance in the Under-19 and Und­er-21 European Championship in 2015 and 2019 respectively, now rep­e­ating that success in the senior squad.

“In life and in sport, when you give your best effort and sacrifice yourself, you get the reward from everything you gave up to get there,” Rodri told Spain’s TVE.

“We have made history. We have beaten four world champions [Italy, Germany, France and England] one after the other, the hardest way to win it. It speaks to the mentality of the team. This is something that was cultivated, many of us were Under-19, Under-21 champions together. The coach knew what he was doing. The coach knew what he was doing!”

SOUTHGATE’S ENGLAND MISS OUT AGAIN

Gareth Southgate’s England, meanwhile, suffered a second successive final defeat after going down on penalties to Italy at Wembley three years ago and the painful defeat extended a 58-year wait for glory.

Southgate has transformed England’s fortunes at major tournaments but the jury remains out on him.

Prior to Southgate’s appointment eight years ago, the Three Lions had reached just three major tournament semi-finals and one final in their history, when they won the 1966 World Cup.

In the last four tournaments, England have reached three semi-finals and two finals but were undone by familiar failings as Spain rounded off their sublime tournament with a fitting victory.

Questions now turn to whether Southgate, whose contract expires at the end of the year, will continue in his role for the 2026 World Cup.

But he is also aware that this is far from the end of the road for this generation of English players.

Cole Palmer, 22, capped his breakout season by scoring his first competitive international goal in the final.

Jude Bellingham turned 21 during the tournament, while Bukayo Saka (22) Phil Foden (24) and Declan Rice (26) will all still be in their prime in two years’ time.

“Without a doubt, England have got some fabulous young players and even the young ones now have got a lot of experience of tournaments,” said Southgate. “Many of this squad are going to be around in two, four, six, eight years’ time. We have now been consistently back in the matches that matter, so it’s the last step that we haven’t been able to do.”

Yet, despite his record of going deep in tournaments, doubts remain whether Southgate is the best man to be in charge of such a richly-talented group of players.

Hyped as one of the pre-tournament favourites, England coughed and spluttered their way towards the final thanks to a series of late goals and isolated moments of individual brilliance.

Southgate demanded that his side played without fear and England were organised and solid in the first half but lost their bearings defensively in the second for both Spanish goals.

England finished on the front foot, with Marc Guehi’s last-gasp header being cleared off the line and joining a long list of “almost” moments, but ultimately fell just short again.

“Ultimately we lost to the better side and we have to reflect on how that happened but it is very clear in my mind,” added Southgate. “For me the key was position of the ball and we didn’t have enough control.”

Southgate said he will take time to ponder his future. But as England head home, football does not as the wait for international glory goes on.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2024