Spain 2-1 England: Mikel Oyarzabal nets late winner as Three Lions suffer heartbreak in Euro 2024 final | OneFootball

Three Lions could not come from behind again as major tournament wait goes on

England suffered more heartbreak as Mikel Oyarzabal struck late to give Spain a 2-1 win in the Euro 2024 final.

They fell behind barely a minute after the restart, as Nico Williams fired past Jordan Pickford, but Cole Palmer came off the bench to equalise and England were suddenly full of energy.

Oyarzabal had the final say, though, sliding in to finish in the 86th minute. Marc Guehi saw a header cleared off the line as England showed the never-say-die attitude that has served them so well in Germany, but Southgate's side just did not have enough in his 102nd - and potentially last - match in charge.

England's heartbroken players dropped to their deck at the final whistle with those clad in red running wild as Spain celebrated a record fourth European Championship crown. For the Three Lions, the wait goes on.

Spain were on top as England failed to click in attack early on, Harry Kane a subdued outlet and picking up a booking midway through the first half for a challenge on Fabian Ruiz.

Dani Olmo joined him in the notebook for a challenge on Declan Rice after Guehi blocked a Ruiz shot as play continued scrappily, with Spain bossing possession but failing to penetrate organised England.

Injured star Rodri was replaced by Martin Zubimendi at the break, with the second half just 69 seconds old when Spain struck the first blow of the night.

Quick, incisive build-up play caught Southgate's side napping, with Lamine Yamal - who turned 17 on Saturday - cutting inside and showing great vision to play over for Williams to send a left-footed drive past Jordan Pickford.

England were shell-shocked and fortunate not to be further behind in the 49th minute as Olmo somehow dragged across the face of goal.

Southgate's side swayed as Spain threatened to deliver a knockout blow, with Stones clearing a shot after Morata was slipped behind before Williams drove narrowly wide from distance.

Fans chanted Ollie Watkins' name as the semi-final super sub replaced ineffective skipper Kane in the 61st minute. The England faithful needed a boost and Jude Bellingham's excellent spin and strike wide from 20 yards raised the volume as streetwise Spain began to slow play.

Pickford pushed a Yamal snapshot wide as Luis De La Fuente's side threatened a second, with Ruiz lasering over before Bellingham breathed a sigh of relief after losing possession.

It led to Oyarzabal seeing a shot saved and England quickly countering as Bukayo Saka raced down the right and cut back for Bellingham to prod into the path of the freshly-introduced Palmer.

The ice-cool substitute, who was brought on in place of Kobbie Mainoo three minutes earlier, sent a low 22-yard strike skipping beyond Simon's reach into the bottom corner in front of the England section.

The 73rd-minute drive took a slight touch off Zubimendi and brought renewed hope and energy having lost control, although Pickford had to produce another big stop to deny Yamal as the clock wound down.

Spain were on top and they struck in the 86th minute as Oyarzabal beat Guehi and Pickford to Marc Cucurella's low cross, sliding home from close range to spark wild Spanish celebrations.

England tried to rescue another match, with Rice seeing a header saved and Olmo clearing a Guehi header off the line from the same corner.

Stoppage-time quickly evaporated as the Southgate's side again fell just short.

Additional reporting by PA Sport.