Mikel Oyarzabal scored Spain’s decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final agаinst England on Sunday, but the victory of La Roja was inspired from beginning to end by dynamic wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
Throughout their run to the final in Berlin, these young players have been instrumental for Spain. Together, they combined to give Spain the lead against England, a moment that felt particularly significant given their outstanding performance all summer.
Williams’ well-executed goal put Spain in front deservedly, and both players had opportunities to extend the lead before Cole Palmer equalized for England.
Aged 17 and 22 respectively, Yamal and Williams—both celebrating birthdays in the days leading up to the final—have injected an exciting attacking edge into the Spanish team, something that has been lacking for much of the past decade. Their contributions helped Spain secure a record fourth European Championship title, marking their first major trophy since 2012, when they clinched both Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.
In recent years, Spain has faced challenges both on and off the field due to issues within their football federation. 
Despite not being considered among the top favorites this summer, Yamal and Williams brought a flair and infectious spirit to the national team known for their dominant possession play.
Yamal made history as the youngest-ever goalscorer in Euros at 16, with a stunning long-range strike in the semifinal victory over France, earning him the Young Player of the Tournament award. Williams, meanwhile, played a crucial role in the group stage win over Euro 2020 champions Italy and stood out in the Round of 16 victory over Georgia, where Spain came from behind to win.
Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, praised the duo earlier in the tournament, describing them as a “gift from God.” His decision to deploy both players rather than opting for a more conservative approach paid off, even though Spain did not always dominate possession as they have in the past. Nonetheless, their fans celebrated their success with the trophy in hand.
