Euro 2024: Cole Palmer scores England's equalizer minutes after coming on in final against Spain
Cole Palmer scored the equalizer for England just minutes after coming off the bench in their Euro 2024 final against Spain on Sunday, July 14. The midfielder has clearly taken his club form with Chelsea into the Euros, where he has continued to impress.
Last season, with the Blues, he scored a brilliant 22 goals and provided 11 assists in only 34 Premier League games. He spent the first two games at Euro 2024 on the bench without getting any minutes, but he started to get substituted in later games.
The 22-year-old provided the assist for Ollie Watkins to secure a 2-1 win in the semi-final against the Netherlands after coming off the bench. He started the final on the bench once more, and when he came off it, Palmer shone.
He came on for Kobbie Mainoo in the 70th minute, and only three minutes later, he found the equalizer for the England fans. After a goalless first half, it was Nico Williams who opened the scoring in the 47th minute, thanks to a brilliant assist from Lamine Yamal.
Only two minutes after the second half started, Yamal drove down his flank and cut inwards, before sending a curling effort towards Williams. The Athletic Bilbao winger didn't miss his effort, slotting it into the far bottom corner, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
However, England found their way back into the game through Cole Palmer. The Three Lions took off on the counter-attack with Bukayo Saka on the flank. The Arsenal winger laid it on for Jude Bellingham, whose touch put it calmly in place for Palmer to rifle a low shot beyond Unai Simon.
However, England would go on to lose, as Marc Cucurella squared the ball into the area for Mikel Oyarzabal, who was just onside, to finish off in the 86th minute. Spain went on to lift the EURO 2024 trophy, winning every single game in their journey to the final.
Pundit impressed with England's first half efforts in EURO 2024 final against Spain
Gary Neville spoke about England's first half in the EURO 2024 final with some admiration for their defensive quality. The Manchester United legend was worried about the Three Lions' possession, saying (via Irish Mirror):
"England have been poor in possession but they've been poor throughout the tournament, it's typical of how we've been playing."
He continued with praise, noting Luke Shaw's quality on the left flank against Spain in particular:
"But we are staying in the game and in one-v-one situations Shaw has been strong. We know he's become a really good defender; when he was younger you would question that a little bit, but he's got a lot of power, he's good in the air and he can play against players one-on-one."
It wouldn't mean too much, though, as the Three Lions went on to lose 2-1, with Spain lifting the EURO 2024 trophy.