Cole Palmer’s exceptional 73rd-minute strike drew England level against Spain in the final of Uefa Euro 2024 – three minutes after the substitute had been introduced.
Chelsea midfielder Palmer, who set up fellow substitute Ollie Watkins’ 90th-minute winner within 10 minutes of the pair coming on in England’s semi-final win over the Netherlands, collected Jude Bellingham’s pass and arrowed a precise low drive into the far corner of goalkeeper David Raya’s net.
Former England striker Alan Shearer, who top-scored at Euro ’96, called the equaliser a “magic moment”.
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COLD PALMER 🥶
ENGLAND ARE LEVEL!#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/dkSBpfzr18
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2024
Euro 2024 final: Palmer levels
“That’s exactly what you need and want when you put someone on of that quality,” Shearer told BBC Sport. “Palmer’s position is perfect and he guides it into the corner. What a finish.”
Spain had taken a 47th-minute lead when Nico Williams fired his second goal of the tournament at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
Livewire Williams latched on to fellow winger Lamine Yamal’s diagonal pass inside the penalty area on the left and emphatically accepted an opportunity in plenty of space to give La Roja an ideal start to the second half, finding the far corner of the net beyond goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s dive.
The opener was the first real chance in the final. Spain had 69 per cent of first-half possession but lacked precision with their deliveries and final passes, while England struggled to use the ball to meaningful effect, although Phil Foden did well to stretch and moderately test Raya with a far-post volley from a free-kick.
Spain vs England: Rodri replaced
Dani Olmo went close as Spain carved England open again soon after the opener, although the three-time champions lost hugely influential Manchester City midfielder Rodri to injury at the break, replacing him with Martín Zubimendi.
The momentum of the game seemed to change when England replaced tiring captain Harry Kane with Watkins shortly before Palmer scored.
Aston Villa hotshot Watkins repeatedly unsettled Spain’s defence, although Pickford had to make another inspired save to deny Yamal restoring his team’s advantage.
Spain were aiming to become the first team to win seven matches at a Euro, while England were bidding to add to their single major title – the 1966 Fifa World Cup.
