Euro 2024: Spain midfielder Rodri wins Player of the Tournament
Spain midfield maestro Rodri was named the Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament after helping La Roja win the tournament in Berlin. La Roja defeated England 2-1 at Berlin Olympic Stadium to claim a fourth European Championship title.
Manchester City star Rodri was pivotal for the English side as they won an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title in 2023-24. The midfielder linked up with his national team as they became the first team ever to win seven successive matches in a European Championship.
Rodri was deservedly named as the best player of Euro 2024 after a string of sterling displays from the first game in Germany. He missed only one game, a group stage game against Albania that was effectively a dead rubber clash with La Roja having won against Croatia and Italy already. He formed an effective partnership with Fabian Ruiz in midfield, helping La Roja dominate games.
The Manchester City man played six times at Euro 2024, scoring one goal for his country in their Round of 16 match against Georgia. The midfielder went all the way in four games, playing 86 minutes against Croatia and only the first half of the final.
Spain had Rodri to thank for the final being level at half-time as he executed a perfect block on England captain Harry Kane, who looked poised to score. The block came at a cost, as he was taken off after the first half with an injury, with Martin Zubimendi coming on in his place.
La Roja did not need the 28-year-old on the pitch to complete their job against the Three Lions in Berlin as they claimed a first major title since 2012.
Spain win Euro 2024 after late Oyarzabal score
Mikel Oyarzabal was the hero of the Euro 2024 final for Spain as he scored a late winner to hand Luis De la Fuente's team the win. The Real Sociedad man came off the bench to score the goal.
After a drab first half, the game came to life just 71 seconds into the second half as Lamine Yamal found Nico Williams, who slotted home a fine opener. England took their time to articulate a response, and they did after 73 minutes as Cole Palmer found the bottom corner with a sweet strike from outside the box.
With four minutes of normal time left, Spain put together a sweeping move and Oyarzabal slotted home a low cross from Marc Cucurella. There was time for a decisive goal-line clearance from Dani Olmo to deny Marc Guehi what would have been an equaliser. La Roja claimed a fourth title while the Three Lions lost a second successive final.