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Nico Williams celebrates after scoring Spain’s opener
Nico Williams scored Spain’s opener to cap a spectacular tournament. Photograph: Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Nico Williams scored Spain’s opener to cap a spectacular tournament. Photograph: Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Spain 2-1 England: player ratings from the Euro 2024 final

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Nico Williams shone for Spain but it proved another difficult evening for England’s Harry Kane

Spain (4-2-3-1)

Unai Simón Only tested in the first-half by Foden strike and had little chance with Palmer goal. 6

Dani Carvajal Made the dry your eyes gesture at Saka after tripping him. Typically robust evening. 7

Robin Le Normand Off injured in 83rd min after a commanding performance though pulled around for goal. 6

Aymeric Laporte Rarely tested early on, authoritative throughout and only ever stretched when England attacked for the goal. 7

Marc Cucurella The revenge of a season being written off with the best weighted cross you will see. Great duel with Saka. 8

Rodri Not the controlling influence thanks to Foden’s work and withdrawn injured at half-time. 5

Fabián Ruiz Superb, all over the midfield even though England tried to contain him, pressed hard, passed crisply. 7

Lamine Yamal Amazing run across to create goal after zero impact in the first half, should have scored late on. 8

Dani Olmo If a superb midfield performance was not enough, he saved his team with a brilliant header off line. 8

Nico Williams First time he shook off Walker, he scored. Superb goal, excellent second-half, the star of the tournament. 9

Álvaro Morata Led the press and the line but precious little to work with and gave way to Oyarzabal. 6

Substitutes

Martin Zubimendi (for Rodri 46) Actually had more influence than Rodri, 7. Mikel Oyarzabal (for Morata 68) Superb layoff spin and run for goal; knew exactly where cross was coming, finished perfectly, 8. Nacho (for Lemond 84) 6. Mikel Merino (for Yamal 89) 6.

Jude Bellingham had bright moments during the final, but it proved to not be enough. Photograph: Friedemann Vogel/EPA

England (4-4-1-1)

Jordan Pickford Superb distribution to set up equaliser. Not at fault for goals and potentially match-saving save from Lamine Yamal. 7

Kyle Walker Phenomenal first half, defensively and in attacking support. But first time he let Williams get away, he scored. Great contest. 6

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John Stones Superb early block on Williams, one aggressive run into Spain’s half. Led well throughout at the back. 7

Marc Guéhi Solid and secure as he has been throughout the competition, a class act and never faltered – almost rescued it at end. 7

Luke Shaw Finally started on that left flank and superb in the first half but let Lamine Yamal cut inside for goal. Amazing given injury though. 6

Bukayo Saka His speed belatedly terrified Spain and his cross got England back in the game. Good early on too. 7

Kobbie Mainoo Less chance to knit together play than against the Netherlands but diligent work throughout and had a great tournament. 6

Declan Rice Covered ground, organised well but could not dominate a fine Spanish midfield pressing him constantly and passing round him. 6

Jude Bellingham The pass that set up Saka and the stretch to knock it back to Palmer was him bossing game – but only in fits and starts. 6

Phil Foden Combined No 10 duties with cutting Rodri’s supply. Came to life more creatively when Spain scored but only a limited impact. 6

Harry Kane Same as ever. Struggling to hold up play, good passing range but surely carrying injury? 5

Substitutes

Ollie Watkins (for Kane 61) Came to deliver runs in behind but never had the chance, 5. Cole Palmer (for Mainoo 70) Unbelievable impact, superb finish. What a tournament, what a season, 8. Ivan Toney (for Foden 89) 6.

More on this story

More on this story

  • Mikel Oyarzabal’s late winner for Spain crushes England’s Euro 2024 dream

  • Southgate oversees familiar failure – a tale of hope but lacking a clear plan

  • Harry Kane: ‘Losing a final is as painful as it can be. We wanted to do it so badly’

  • Spain’s new generation match golden forefathers and make own history

  • England left nursing regrets after falling agonisingly short once more

  • Dani Olmo brings England’s run of heart-stopping moments to a halt

  • ‘Getting here is what matters’: England fans hide the hurt after Berlin disappointment

  • ‘Heartbreak once again’: fans in Manchester crushed by Euros final loss

  • King Charles urges England team to ‘hold heads high’ after Euros defeat

  • Harry Kane cuts sorry figure on a desolate night for England

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