Spain player ratings vs England: Nico Williams lays waste to the Three Lions before super-sub Mikel Oyarzabal grabs Euro 2024 glory for La Roja

The winger opened the scoring with a fine finish before La Roja claimed a dramatic victory thanks to an inspired substitution

Football’s not coming home. It’s found a better home, with Spain having deservedly been crowned champions of Europe thanks to a fully deserved 2-1 victory over England in Berlin on Sunday.

Nico Williams was the star of the show for La Roja, with the winger opening the scoring with a wonderfully-well taken goal, but Mikel Oyarzabal was the watch-winner.

With England threatening to pull off another unlikely victory after drawing level against the run of play through Cole Palmer, Spain reclaimed control of a game they had been dominating, resulting in an 86th-minute winner from Oyarzabal that means the best team at Euro 2024 will be taking home the trophy.

Below, GOAL rates all of the Spanish players on show as La Roja claimed a record-breaking fourth continental title…

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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Unai Simon (7/10):

    Dealt easily with Foden’s back-post effort just before the break but will be disappointed with himself for being beaten by Palmer’s low, long-range effort, even though it took a slight deflection off Zubimendi. Still, he made amends by keeping out Rice’s late header.

    Dani Carvajal (7/10):

    Bailed out by Rodri after carelessly getting his pocket picked by Bellingham but laid the foundations for the opener by releasing Yamal with a delightful pass, during what was a fine second-half showing.

    Robin Le Normand (7.5/10):

    Made a terrific challenge on Bellingham and was excellent in the air. Taken off with eight minutes of normal time remaining.

    Aymeric Laporte (7.5/10):

    Another incredibly composed display from a Rolls Royce of a defender. Excellent on the ball and didn’t put a foot wrong defensively.

    Marc Cucurella (7.5/10):

    Played with his usual tenacity in defence and then produced an absolutely sensational cross that Oyarzabal converted to win the game for Spain.

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  Midfield

  Rodri (6/10):

  Nutmegged by Bellingham but made a brilliant block on a Kane shot just before the break. However, he seemingly injured his hamstring in the process. His shock half-time withdrawal was a massive blow – not that Spain showed it.

  Fabian Ruiz (6.5/10):

  His usual silky self in possession while he also repeatedly won the ball back for his side. Has proven himself a world-class midfielder at this tournament.

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  Attack

  Lamine Yamal (7.5/10):

  Struggled against Shaw in the first half but took advantage of the left-back’s poor positioning to create the opener for Williams right after half-time. Also played a fantastic through-ball that Morata wasted, but arguably should have taken at least one of the chances that came his way.

  Dani Olmo (7.5/10):

  Booked for a studs-up challenge on Rice and scuffed his shot when well-placed just after the opener, but did create a decent chance for Yamal before making an incredible clearance off the line in the dying seconds.

  Nico Williams (8/10):

  Initially struggled against Walker but broke the deadlock with a wonderfully controlled finish with the left foot he was so reluctant to use in the first half. Also created a great opening for Olmo immediately after and was involved in a scintillating move that ended with Yamal shooting straight at Pickford.

  Alvaro Morata (5.5/10):

  A poor touch saw him butcher a promising break and he ruined another by shooting instead of passing. Also blew his big chance by inexplicably deciding against dinking the ball over Pickford but worked tirelessly until his 68th-minute substitution.

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  Subs & Manager

  Martin Zubimendi (7/10):

  Had the tough task of replacing Rodri but did an excellent job retaining possession, although one could argue that he was punished for turning his back while trying to block Palmer’s strike.

  Mikel Oyarzabal (7.5/10):

  Replaced Morata for the final quarter and scored the winner by getting on the end of Cucurella’s inviting cross.

  Nacho (N/A):

  Took over in the centre of defence from Le Normand late on.

  Mikel Merino (N/A):

  Thrown on in the closing stages.

  Luis de la Fuente (8/10):

  What a job he’s done, from start to finish! Got Spain playing the best football in the tournament but also turned them into a tremendously resilient side. As against Germany, he made an inspired substitution that won his team the game – and, in this case, the tournament.

  Source goal.com