Spain came to Germany without big-name stars or high expectations. But after six weeks, Luis de la Fuente’s squad returned home as European champions, marking a promising future.
The youthful energy of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, alongside the experienced leadership of Rodri and other key players without major titles, propelled Spain to victory in the Euro 2024 final against England, clinching a 2-1 win.
The key to their success was transforming Spain into a more dynamic and adaptable attacking team, moving away from the decade-long struggle with “tiki-taka”.
While Williams emphasized living in the moment and taking things step by step, the 22-year-old winger couldn’t help but anticipate the 2026 World Cup. “We hope to continue this momentum and aim for the World Cup,” he said after scoring the opening goal in the final. “I’ve said it before the tournament: no one can match us. We are a great team.”
Their joy was well-deserved. Spain won all seven matches, never needing penalties, and set a record with 15 goals at a European Championship. They defeated powerhouse teams like Croatia and Italy in the group stage, then overcame Germany and France to reach the final.
“We made history by beating four former world champions in a row,” Rodri commented. “This tournament was undoubtedly our toughest challenge, and we conquered them all.”
The team returned to Madrid on Monday, where captain Álvaro Morata proudly displayed the trophy. They visited King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez before celebrating with thousands of fans in the capital.
