Spain dashed England's hopes of ending its 58-year trophy drought with a late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal, securing a 2-1 victory in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday.
Nico Williams and Cole Palmer each scored in the second half before Oyarzabal's decisive strike in the 86th minute clinched Spain's record fourth European championship.
This title marks Spain's first continental victory since 2012, while England's wait for another major men's trophy continues.
Spain, widely regarded as the best team throughout Euro 2024, concluded the tournament with an unblemished record. They defeated Croatia, Italy, Germany, and France before Sunday's final.
The team also set a new European championship record for most goals scored by a team with 15.
"I did my job, what I had to do at every moment," Oyarzabal told reporters, according to Agence France-Presse. "I was lucky enough to score the winner. You value it a lot. And if you're lucky enough to score the goal ... it's the best."
England became the first team to lose back-to-back Euro finals, following their defeat to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium three years ago.
"Losing in a final is as tough as it gets," England captain Harry Kane said. "We did really well to get back in the game at 1-1, and then we couldn't use our momentum to push on. ... It's as painful as it can be in a football match."
Luis de la Fuente's squad began the game as the dominant team, controlling possession and creating the best chances in the first 20 minutes.
As the first half progressed, both sides had opportunities to score but were cautious not to expose themselves defensively.
Spain overcame the setback of losing midfield talisman Rodri, who was substituted at halftime with a leg injury. La Roja took the lead almost immediately after the break when Lamine Yamal connected with Nico Williams to open the scoring.
Yamal maneuvered past Luke Shaw and sent a pass to Williams, who beat Jordan Pickford with a shot into the far corner of the goal in the 47th minute.
Like Rodri, Kane was also removed from the match and replaced by England's semifinal hero Ollie Watkins.
Spain pressed for a second goal before Palmer equalized for England three minutes after coming on as a substitute, with a composed strike with less than 20 minutes to play.
The match appeared to be heading for extra time, but Oyarzabal, who replaced captain Alvaro Morata, redirected Marc Cucurella's low cross and scored from close range in the 86th minute.
England had one last chance to level the score, but Dani Olmo cleared Declan Rice's 90th-minute header from a corner kick off the goal line.
After the game, Rodri was named Player of the Tournament, and Yamal was recognized as the best young player - a day after his 17th birthday.
Southgate, whose contract expires at the end of the year, declined to discuss his future after the match.
"I don't think now is a good time to make a decision like that," he said, according to The Guardian. "I'm going to talk to the right people and, yeah, it's just not for now."
