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Santiago Leon and Hal Phillips recap the Copa America and EURO 2024.
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Hal Phillips – @mandarinhal
Argentina wins Copa America Defending champions Argentina overcame the loss of Lionel Messi to win a record 16th Copa América title by beating Colombia 1-0, thanks to a late extra-time goal from substitute Lautaro Martínez at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
Inter Milan striker Martínez, the tournament’s leading goal scorer, latched onto a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso before lifting his effort over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute.
Messi appeared to suffer a noncontact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands when he sat on the bench.
Argentina also stopped Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak dating to a February 2022 loss to the Albiceleste, when Martínez also scored the only goal.
Colombia was more aggressive and forced goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to make four saves in the first half, but Argentina began to threaten more in the second.
Nicolás Tagliafico thought he scored in the 75th minute but was ruled offside. Nicolas Gonzalez, who replaced Messi, was stopped by Vargas in the 95th minute.
Numerous players lost their footing during the second half of Sunday’s match. The grass was heavily watered with sprinklers following the half-time performance by Colombian pop star Shakira, which caused an extended half-time break.
Spain wins Euros
Spain: Williams 47’, Oyarzabal 96’
England: Palmer 73
Spain is the king of European soccer for a record fourth time. For England, it’s another agonizing near-miss in the team’s decades-long tale of underachievement.
Completing a tournament the team dominated from start to finish, Spain beat England 2-1 in the European Championship final on Sunday with Mikel Oyarzabal the unlikely match-winner in the 86th minute.
Substitute Cole Palmer had earlier cancelled out Nico Williams’ second-half opener, only for Real Sociedad’s Oyarzabal to break English hearts in the Three Lions’ second consecutive Euros final.
Gareth Southgate’s side almost levelled in the final minute, but Unai Simon and Dani Olmo were the defensive heroes for Spain as England became the first team to lose back-to-back Euros finals.
A tentative first half was devoid of gilt-edged opportunities as Spain dominated possession without reward against England’s well-drilled defence.
Nico Williams goal 47’ WILLIAMS SCORES! Spain have broken the deadlock in the Euro 2024 final! It’s excellent play from Spain as Yamal drives down the right before cutting inside, finally finding space. He then curls it into an unmarked Williams on the far side of the box, and he slots it into the far corner, with Pickford unable to reach it. 1-0 Spain!
Palmer Goal 73’
PALMER EQUALISES! What an impact from the substitute! It’s a fantastic counter-attack from England, with Saka racing down the right and drawing two players out to him. He lays it off to Bellingham, who is off-balance in the box as he touches it back to Palmer. He hits the shot first time, and with the help of a small deflection, picks out the bottom-left corner. 1-1!
Oyarzabal 96’ goal
Oyarzabal’s late goal gives La Roja a 2-1 victory over England as they are crowned European champions for a record-breaking fourth time. It was a cagey first half, with neither side creating too many chances of real note, but Spain ensured that wouldn’t happen in the second as they came out of the blocks flying. Williams became the second-youngest goalscorer in a Euros final when he nestled a low shot into the bottom corner less than two minutes after the break, but England fought back.
BREAKING: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who just won the Euros, is reportedly interested in the USMNT head coach job.