Euro 2024: Youngsters inspire Spain to record fourth title as Yamal and Williams standout

Only a couple of years ago, the Spanish football team was at a crossroads following a Round of 16 exit at the hands of Morocco in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. That marked the end of an era following the international retirements of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, two figures who had carried the La Roja to greater heights and were part of Spain’s golden generation in men’s international football.

There was a change in manager as well. Luis Enrique was sacked as Spain’s head coach and replaced by Luis de la Fuente, someone who had managed the youth teams of Spain but was yet to coach a senior international team. Having said that, De la Fuente had won the European Championships with the Spain Under-19 and the Under-21 teams, which meant he knew a thing or two about grooming young and talented prospects in the national setup.

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This is exactly what he did with the team at the 2024 European Championships in Germany, where Spain were crowned champions for a record fourth time, beating England 2-1 in the final in Berlin.

Euro | Yamal, Rodri win Player of the Tournament awards

Despite lacking experience, failing to impress as coach of Aurrera in the Spanish third tier with a win percentage of less than 35, and failing to include an experienced figure like Sergio Ramos in the squad, De la Fuente knew what he was doing.

He knew the Spanish youth teams and their players inside out  — Unai Simon, Rodri and Mikel Merino were all part of Spain’s squad that won the Under-19 European Championship under his guidance. In 2019, Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal and Fabian Ruiz were all part of the side that won the Under-21 European Championships under the same head coach. He has even coached Ferran Torres, Pedri and Marc Cucurella at the junior level.

Yamal, Williams and Oyarzabal — Spain’s standout youngsters

In the midst of all these names, one name that stood out the most during Euro 2024 was that of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. However, he isn’t the only one who set the benchmark for youngsters in the Spanish senior setup. There’s Nico Williams, the Athletic Bilbao winger, and the ever-versatile Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the decisive goal in the Euro final on Sunday.

Sure, Oyarazabal, 27, is the senior-most player among the three starlets but if there’s anything that has defined this champion of a team that Spain have produced, it’s the presence of Yamal and Williams on the wings. During the final against England on Sunday, the duo were once again the dominant force.

🇪🇸 Spain are champions of Europe 🏆#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Ch0AF0iPWl

— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) July 14, 2024

Just a few days ago, Yamal, aged 16, had become the youngest scorer in the history of Euros when he netted against France in the semi-final. And although he could not find the back of the net in the final against the Three Lions, he and Williams worked in tandem to give Spain a remarkable lead early on in the second half.

An injury to Rodri meant that he was subbed off before the start of the second half, with Martin Zubimendi coming on. Maybe, just maybe, England might have thought at that time that they were still in with a chance, but the truth is that Gareth Southgate’s men lacked the kind of attacking intent that Spain showed.

So much so that, it took just one minute and 11 seconds for Williams to score the opener. It was an “easy as you like it” kind of goal. Yamal made a pass into the box from the left wing for Williams, who then produced a clinical finish by slotting the ball into the bottom-right corner.

Yamal and Williams had been the near-perfect duo that Spain needed. They are the kind of players who bring speed and accuracy to the core of Spain, and that’s been a major highlight for the La Roja in this European Championship.

🔝 performance
🔝 tournament

Nico Williams is the real deal 👏@Vivo_GLOBAL | #EUROPOTM pic.twitter.com/lPu38RWoX0

— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) July 14, 2024

Back to the game. England did showcase brief spells of resurgence and even equalized through a Cole Palmer stunner in the 73rd minute, but one major point of difference in the game was how Spain dominated possession as well as kept creating chances to score. Still, England were doing better in terms of counter-attack in the second half but an inspired substitution from Spain, that of bringing in Oyarzabal in place of Alvaro Morata, is what changed the complexion of the final altogether.

Scores were level at 1-1 heading into the final 10 minutes, and in the 82nd minute, Williams found Yamal on the right. Yamal did well to cut inside before curling in a shot on goal, but Jordan Pickford ensured that Spain received no favour from England.

That did not last long though. Just when probably everyone thought that the match would head into the inevitable extra time, Oyarzabal scored from a close range in the 86th minute to restore Spain’s lead and hand them the trophy eventually.

Success at Euro 2024 proves that the future is bright for Spain. Exciting times are ahead, with youngsters breaking through to the first team and with the transition now complete, Spain can set sights on the next big target — The 2026 FIFA World Cup.