Milan's San Siro is one of the most famous stadiums in world soccer, but the storied home of AC Milan and Inter Milan is showing its age and lags behind what other major European clubs offer their fans.

Italy is trying to raise its game when it comes to stadiums, pressed by foreign investors who have acquired a number of clubs including the two Milan giants, and also needing arenas that are fit for purpose when it co-hosts the 2032 Euros, with Turkey.

But teams like AC Milan and Inter, as well as Lazio and Roma further south, are struggling to rebuild or renovate, wrangling with public bodies who often own stadiums, and getting caught up in red tape.

The result is that only six Italian stadiums were built or redeveloped in the 2007-2024 period, compared with 19 in Germany, 13 in England and 12 in France, according to consultancy firm PwC.

"At the San Siro stadium, we can't cook anything. The little food that we sell is all microwaved three minutes beforehand," AC Milan Chairman Paolo Scaroni told a PwC Italy event in March.

He contrasted it to the situation in Britain, where Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium even features an in-built microbrewery "because the English like to drink beer, and we can't even cook a plate of spaghetti."

The Tottenham stadium, designed by specialist company Populous, opened in 2019 at a cost of around 1 billion pounds ($1.4 billion) and features a retractable pitch. It also hosts other events such as NFL games.

GOVERNMENT HELP

The Italian government is trying to help, with a plan in the works to appoint a special commissioner with the power to fast-track projects worth 5 billion euros ($5.8 billion) across different agencies, and speed up preparations for Euro 2032, the first major tournament in Italy since the 1990 World Cup.

The Italia '90 tournament, when matches were played at 12 venues across the country, marked the last time Italy embarked on a serious round of stadium upgrades.

"For Italian teams, sports facilities are the real gap with European peers," said Luigi De Siervo, Chief Executive Officer of Italy's top-flight soccer league Serie A.

Although crowds have risen to levels not seen since the early 2000s, Serie A clubs generated just 440 million euros in matchday revenue in 2023-24 – according to a report from Deloitte – less than half of what England's Premier League earned.

"More modern arenas structurally generate higher match day revenues, they usually have a higher occupancy rate, more food outlets, with different price ranges, and pricier tickets," said Cristian Celoria, partner at consultancy firm PwC.

EURO 2032 CONCERNS

Besides frustrating club owners, Italy's lack of progress in redeveloping its sporting infrastructure could harm its role as a co-host of the Euros.

Italy must give European soccer's ruling body Uefa a list of five stadiums to host Euro 2032 games by October next year.

At present, among the 10 arenas Italy named in its initial bid document, only the Juventus one in Turin – one of the few club-owned grounds in Italy – is fit for the tournament, according to a Uefa official.

The 41 000-seater venue was completed only in 2011, replacing the Stadio delle Alpi, which was built for the 1990 World Cup.

Venues needing redevelopment or new builds can be included in the final Euro 2032 shortlist, but the projects need to be fully financed and approved by next year's deadline, said the Uefa official, who asked not to be named.

"The need for a special commissioner is becoming even more urgent, as next year we will undergo a series of checks that may even result in some matches being reallocated to Turkey," said De Siervo, the Serie A chief.

However, the Italian Football Association remains confident it can meet the deadline, with work underway in Bologna and Florence and scope to bring Rome's Olympic Stadium and the current San Siro venue in line with specifications.

FATE OF SAN SIRO

The San Siro, with its striking spiral staircases wrapped around the outside of the stadium, was one of the symbols of Serie A's golden age in the 1990s, but much like Italian soccer in general, it has seen better days.

AC Milan and Inter - owned by US investment firms RedBird and Oaktree respectively - have billed as unfeasible a full revamp of the arena, officially known as the Giuseppe Meazza after a forward who played for both clubs in the 1920s-1940s.

AC Milan and Inter are in talks to jointly buy the stadium, built in 1926, and the surrounding area from the Milan municipality as part of a 1.2 billion euro redevelopment including a real estate project.

The plan, first presented in 2019, envisages the clubs continuing to use the 76 000-seater stadium until a new one is built nearby. Once that is ready, the old ground would be demolished except for a heritage section comprising part of its second tier.

The clubs, however, face opposition from those who would like to preserve one of the temples of Italian soccer.

"It is still a functional stadium. It can be modernised, and we have fought for that, but the problem is that no one is listening to our calls," said Luigi Corbani, president of a citizens' committee opposing clubs' demolition plans.

Even rock stars who love playing concerts in the huge San Siro have chimed in.

"It is the greatest stadium in the world, it has personality, heart and soul," Bruce Springsteen's guitarist Steven Van Zandt, aka Little Steven, told Italy's Corriere della Sera daily, calling plans to knock it down "criminal".

Jenni Hermoso has been left out of the Spain squad for the Women's European Championship, with coach Montse Tome saying there was too much competition for places in her position.

The 35-year-old forward played a key role in Spain's World Cup victory in 2023 and is the country's leading goalscorer but has featured less frequently for the side in recent months.

Hermoso was also at the centre of a scandal involving former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales, who was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing the player without her consent after Spain's World Cup win in Sydney.

Rubiales said the kiss was consensual.

Hermoso, who plays club football for Mexico's Tigres, was last called up to the Spain squad for friendlies against Italy and Canada in October and was part of the squad for last year's Paris Olympics.

"I spoke with Jenni (Hermoso) already in the beginning of the year, we had a conversation," Tome told reporters on Tuesday.

"We've done with her what we've done with everyone else. We've valued her season in Tigres, we've spoken with the manager in different times, and we did what we had to do, to assess what we need from the players."

 

🚨 OFFICIAL: Spain's squad for the upcoming EURO 2025. 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/6RE7NYXops

— Barça World (@BarcaWorldEn) June 11, 2025

 

Tome said Patri Guijarro, Maite Zubieta, Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmati, Vicky Lopez, Mariona Caldentey and Claudia Pina were all capable of playing in Hermoso's position.

"It's difficult to make it to the final list of 23 players," she added.

Spain are in Group B of the tournament in Germany, alongside Portugal, Belgium and Italy. They play Japan in a warm-up game on 27 June before taking on Portugal in their campaign opener on 3 July.

France will be without former captain Wendie Renard, striker Eugenie Le Sommer and midfielder Kenza Dali at this summer's Euros after coach Laurent Bonadei opted on Thursday to leave them out of his squad.

The absence of the veteran trio, who are all in their thirties and have 444 caps between them, was evidence of Bonadei's desire to refresh the team as they chase their first major title.

None of them had been in the squad for last week's Nations League matches against Switzerland and Iceland.

"These are tough choices. They're great players and it was complicated for me," said Bonadei as he announced the team on TF1.

Strikers Delphine Cascarino and Kadidiatou Diani, as well as defender Maelle Lakrar, who had to leave last week's Nations League squad, were included in the 23 named for the trip to Switzerland.

With six wins from six Nations League matches, France are unbeaten in 2025 although they are outsiders for the Euros.

"That doesn't stop us from being ambitious," said Bonadei. "We're going to play to win every match and to make France proud of this team."

France continue their Euro preparations with warm-ups against Belgium and Brazil before kicking off their European Championship on 5 July against England in Zurich.

Hosts England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will participate in qualifying for the 2028 European Championship, with only two spots reserved if they do not make it to the tournament, Europe's soccer governing body Uefa said on Wednesday.

The decision was taken by the Uefa Executive Committee which met in Bilbao ahead of Wednesday's Europa League Final.

The four hosts will be drawn into separate groups, with 12 group winners and eight best runners-up (20 teams) advancing directly to the final tournament.

"Two spots in the final tournament will be reserved for the two best ranked host nations who are not qualified as group winners or best runners-up after the completion of the qualifying group stage," Uefa said in a statement.

The remaining spots will be assigned via playoffs between the remaining runners-up in the qualifying groups and the best ranked 2026-27 Uefa Nations League non-qualified group winners, the statement said.

"Depending on the number of spots used by the host nations, the number of final tournament spots decided by playoffs may vary between two and four."

Euro 2028 will be held across nine venues in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

World Cup winners Spain will play Italy, Belgium and Portugal at Women's Euro 2025, while England face a tough path to defending their title at the tournament in Switzerland.

Reigning European champions and 2023 World Cup runners-up England were drawn alongside France, the Netherlands and debutants Wales in a challenging Group D of the tournament, which runs from July 2-27.

The Netherlands won the tournament on home soil in 2017 under current England boss Sarina Wiegman.

Wiegman will take on her native country on July 9, before England conclude their group-stage campaign against local rivals Wales.

"We're neighbours so there's a rivalry on the pitch, which is good," Wiegman said to the BBC, looking forward to her team's clash with Wales, who are making their bow at a major international tournament.

"I expect them to get everything out of themselves that they have in them and fight for every yard in the game and enjoy it."

France, beaten semifinalists in the last edition of the Euros, have never won a major tournament in the women's game.

"I think the other teams must be dreading being in the same group as France," said coach Laurent Bonadei.

"At this level, all the groups are tough, like Germany's, and even Spain's is an equal group," he added, looking at the rest of the draw.

Germany, who have won eight of the previous 13 editions, meet 1984 winners Sweden, Denmark and newcomers Poland in Group C.

The Germans won six successive titles between 1995 and 2013 but lost to England after extra time in the final two years ago at Wembley.

Hosts Switzerland kick off the tournament against two-time former champions Norway in Group A, which also includes Iceland and Finland.

Spain have reached the quarterfinals of the last three European Championships. They made the last four on their debut in 1997.

Spain coach Montserrat Tome told Teledeporte that she was "very happy" with her team's draw, as the tournament favourites avoided their bigger continental rivals.

However, she said that Spain "have to be humble", adding that "at international level every match is a problem".

Uefa announced ahead of Monday's draw that it would award 41 million euros ($43 million) in prize money for the tournament, more than doubling the amount from 2022.

The team that wins the final in Basle will receive up to 5.1 million euros – England pocketed 2.085 million as champions in 2022 – with each of the 16 participating teams receiving 1.8 million euros.

Group stage draw in full:

Group A: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Finland

Group B: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy

Group C: Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden

Group D: France, England, Wales, Netherlands

Germany will bid to host the 2029 women's European Championships in football, the country's FA (DFB) announced on Friday.

DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement the bid was the organisation's "flagship project" which will give an "additional boost" to women's football in the country.

Germany hosted the men's Euros in 2024 and has previously hosted the women's event in 1989 (as West Germany) and in 2001.

Portugal, Denmark and Sweden also intend to bid on the project. UEFA will announce the successful candidate in December 2025.

DFB general secretary Heike Ullrich said Germany was a "good and reliable host" with "excellent stadium infrastructure and a great cooperation between host cities and local contacts".

The DFB had recently applied unsuccessfully to host the 2027 Women's World Cup, with Brazil announced in May as the successful candidate.

The next women's Euros, which takes place a year after the men's event in 2025, will be hosted by neighbouring Switzerland.

Germany are by far the most successful country in the competition, having won the women's Euros eight times since the first event in 1984.

England won the last edition in 2022 beating Germany 2-1 after extra time in the final in Wembley Stadium.

Uefa has warned the UK government that England risk a ban from the Euro 2028 tournament they are co-hosting if Prime Minister Keir Starmer goes ahead with existing plans for a men's football regulator, British media reported on Saturday.

In a letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, obtained by The Times and the BBC, European soccer governing body Uefa's General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said there should be "no government interference in the running of football".

According to the letter, Theodoridis cautioned against plans outlined in the King's Speech to give the new regulator the power to oversee clubs in England's top five leagues, saying the game's independence was a "fundamental requirement".

"One particular area of concern stems from one of Uefa's fundamental requirements, which is that there should be no government interference in the running of football," Theodoridis wrote.

"We have specific rules that guard against this in order to guarantee the autonomy of sport and fairness of sporting competition; the ultimate sanction for which would be excluding the federation from Uefa and teams from competition."

The previous government had announced plans to appoint a regulator last year, saying it was necessary to protect clubs from financial mismanagement and to stop wealthy teams from joining breakaway leagues.

Starmer's government committed to the regulator in the Labour Party manifesto after being elected in July.

Theodoridis told Nandy that Uefa is "concerned about the potential for scope creep within the IFR (Independent Football Regulator)."

Uefa did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment.

"The Football Governance Bill will establish a new Independent Football Regulator that will put fans back at the heart of the game, and tackle fundamental governance problems to ensure that English football is sustainable for the benefit of the clubs' communities going forward," a Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport spokesperson said in a statement.

England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are co-hosting the 2028 European Championship.

Spanish football captain Alvaro Morata and midfielder Rodri received a one-match suspension each from Uefa on Wednesday for singing "Gibraltar is Spanish" during the presentation of the Euro 2024 trophy in Madrid in July.

Gibraltar is a fortified British Overseas Territory at the entrance of the Atlantic Ocean from the Mediterranean Sea.

Morata and Rodri were part of the Spain team that beat England 2-1 in the final in Germany and sang via microphone at a central Madrid square.

Uefa's disciplinary committee "suspends for the next match" the two players for "having violated the basic rules of decency and for having used sporting events for demands of a non-sporting nature"

Uefa has started disciplinary proceedings against Spanish players Alvaro Morata and Rodri over their behaviour during a Euro 2024 presentation in Madrid this month, European soccer's governing body said on Tuesday.

The players sang "Gibraltar is Spanish" on July 15, the day after they won the European Championship with a 2-1 victory over England in Berlin, during a public celebration in the Spanish capital. Gibraltar is a British territory located at the southern tip of Spain.

Gibraltar's Football Association filed a formal complaint to Uefa about the chant, and Uefa appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to evaluate whether it violated regulations.

The charges against Rodri and Morata include violating the basic rules of decent conduct, general principles of conduct, using sporting events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and bringing the sport of football into disrepute.

Euro 2024 winners Spain have six players, including 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal, in the team of the tournament unveiled by Uefa on Tuesday.

Yamal is joined by fellow forward Nico Williams in front of an all-Spanish midfield of Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo and Rodri, and left-back Marc Cucurella.

👕✨ Introducing the UEFA EURO 2024 Team of the Tournament, as selected by UEFA's Technical Observer panel.#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/ITp3ipcWxF

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 16, 2024

Right-back Kyle Walker is the only player from England, who lost 2-1 in Sunday's final, in the line-up.

The defence is completed by France centre-back William Saliba and Switzerland's Manuel Akanji, while France goalkeeper Mike Maignan also gets the nod.

Host nation Germany's sole representative is forward Jamal Musiala.

The team was selected by Uefa's Technical Observer panel.

Gareth Southgate resigned as England manager on Tuesday, two days after they lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, with Prince William describing him as an "all-round class act".

After 102 games and almost eight years in charge, Gareth Southgate has announced he is to leave his role as manager of the #ThreeLions.

— England (@England) July 16, 2024

"It's time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday's final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager," Southgate said in a statement.

William, who attended the 2-1 defeat to Spain in his role as Football Association president, paid a fulsome tribute to Southgate on social media.

"Thank you for showing humility, compassion, and true leadership under the most intense pressure and scrutiny," said the heir to the British throne.

"And thank you for being an all-round class act. You should be incredibly proud of what you've achieved. W."

Gareth, I want to thank you - not as the President of the @FA, but as an @England fan.

Thank you for creating a team that stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest in 2024. Thank you for showing humility, compassion, and true leadership under the most intense pressure… pic.twitter.com/Fq2ytO4em6

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 16, 2024

The names immediately mentioned as 53-year-old Southgate's successor are Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, and two former Chelsea managers, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.

Former international defender Southgate took over in 2016 when England's fortunes were at a low ebb -- they had exited the Euros after defeat to Iceland and then Roy Hodgson's successor Sam Allardyce had to resign over a scandal.

Southgate steadily introduced change and led England to three semi-finals and to the last two European Championship finals.

Prior to his appointment, the Three Lions had reached just three major tournament semi-finals and one final in their history, when they won the 1966 World Cup.

But despite changing the fortunes of the England team, Southgate was unable to land a first trophy in over half a century as England first lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final and then came up short to a sparkling Spain team on Sunday.

"Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success," said FA CEO Mark Bullingham in a statement.

"We came so close to winning the Euros in London and securing the first trophy for our men's team for over 50 years -– and came so close again in Berlin on Sunday."

Southgate, who is also credited for restoring pride to the team as well as turning the players into role models off the pitch, said the job had been a dream of a lifetime for him.

"As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England," he said.

"It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all."

pic.twitter.com/P04tQbto04

— England (@England) July 16, 2024

'SO PROUD OF THEM'

However, not all was rosy at Euro 2024 as England were one of the pre-tournament favourites in Germany but showed resilience more than skill in reaching the final.

Southgate admitted the stinging criticism that came his way -- fans threw beer cups at him after a 0-0 group-stage draw with Slovenia -- had taken its toll.

But he leaves behind a squad filled with young players of huge talent.

The likes of Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, who are all 24 or under, and 26-year-old Declan Rice will all still be in their prime for the 2026 World Cup should they qualify.

"The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of," said Southgate.

"I am so proud of them."

Southgate's overall record was 61 wins in 102 matches with 24 draws and 17 defeats.

He ranks third for all-time victories as England manager and only two previous England managers have taken charge of more matches than him.

Reconnected the nation. Built an environment for success. Created memories to last a lifetime.

Thank you, Gareth. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/NESgEiQZMO

— England (@England) July 16, 2024

Four of the players who played in the loss to Spain, led by captain Harry Kane, who was capped 81 times under Southgate, were to be the backbone of his team through his reign -- Kyle Walker had 70 caps and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and John Stones had 68.

Bullingham did not drop any hints about who will succeed Southgate and said there would be no rushed decision even if England's next match against the Republic of Ireland is on September 7.

"The process for appointing Gareth's successor is now under way and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible," he said.

"Our UEFA Nations League campaign starts in September, and we have an interim solution in place if it is needed."

Thousands of people in Madrid welcomed Spain's squad home on Monday after they beat England to win Euro 2024.

After receptions with King Felipe VI and prime minister Pedro Sanchez, La Roja were paraded through the capital city on an open-top bus.

 

🔝 DON ÁLVARO MORATA

PALABRA DE CAPITÁN #C4MPEONES | #VamosEspaña pic.twitter.com/95zmHpfMFQ

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 15, 2024

 

It was adorned with the message "it's only the beginning" and the trophy sat at the front of the bus.

"We want a lot," Sanchez said.

"We want more," he added.

The likes of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Sunday's match-winner in Berlin, Mikel Oyarzabal, wore white t-shirts with the No 4 on them in reference to the record number of times Spain have won the European Championship.

"For now, we're not realising yet what we have accomplished," Williams said.

The attacker, who scored the opening goal of the 2-1 victory, was also eager to thank Spain's fans "for the love and warmth they brought the team".

The team bus took them to Plaza Cibeles in central Madrid where thousands more fans waited to celebrate the success, following on from victories in 1964, 2008 and 2012.

Waving flags and dressed in Spain's red and yellow colours, tens of thousands of people jubilantly greeted the country's triumphant Euro 2024 men's football team on Monday during a parade in Madrid.

"Champions, champions!" fans shouted out to the players and coach, who celebrated the win in an open-top double-decker bus, with the trophy placed on the front and the message "It's only the beginning" emblazoned. Spain beat England 2-1 in Sunday's final in Berlin.

Spanish authorities praised the players' victory and style of play, while some fans said they were fostering unity in a country with a history of territorial tensions and political polarisation.

"We are a great country. In days like today it's important to remember that this flag represents all of us," a young fan named Borja told national broadcaster TVE.

He praised Spain's 17-year-old rising star Lamine Yamal, who is Black, with his father hailing from Morocco while his mother was born in Equatorial Guinea.

"We are seeing the (ongoing) problems with racism. Lamine Yamal will define an era because people in Spain are of all colours," Borja added.

Standing on balconies and crowded sidewalks, excited fans, many of them kids and some who had travelled from distant parts of Spain, waved at the players who were wearing white t-shirts reading "Kings of Europe" accompanied by a big No 4 to mark Spain's fourth continental title.

"I want to thank you for your efforts and for the way you played, with the joy you do it," Spain's King Felipe VI told the team in a ceremony at his palace, accompanied by Queen Letizia and his two daughters dressed in national jerseys.

"A joy like this one was good for us," he added.

Gareth Southgate has transformed England's fortunes at major tournaments but once again fell just short as a painful 2-1 defeat in the final of Euro 2024 extended a 58-year wait for glory.

Prior to Southgate's appointment eight years ago, the Three Lions had reached just three major tournament semifinals and one final in their history, when they won the 1966 World Cup.

In the last four tournaments, England have reached three semifinals and two finals but were undone by familiar failings as Spain rounded off their sublime tournament with a fitting victory.

Southgate had hailed a new "modern England" after they dominated possession to beat the Netherlands in the semifinals.

But they were reduced to chasing shadows by Spain's metronomic midfield and cut open by wing wizards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams in Berlin.

Questions now turn to whether Southgate, whose contract expires at the end of the year, will continue in his role for the 2026 World Cup.

He admitted that the stinging criticism that came his way earlier in the tournament – as fans threw beer cups at the England boss after a 0-0 draw with Slovenia – had taken its toll.

But he is also aware that this is far from the end of the road for this generation of English players.

Cole Palmer, 22, capped his breakout season by scoring his first competitive international goal in the final.

Jude Bellingham turned 21 during the tournament, while Bukayo Saka (22) Phil Foden (24) and Declan Rice (26) will all still be in their prime in two years' time.

"Without a doubt, England have got some fabulous young players and even the young ones now have got a lot of experience of tournaments," said Southgate.

"Many of this squad are going to be around in two, four, six, eight years' time.

"We have now been consistently back in the matches that matter, so it's the last step that we haven't been able to do."

Yet, despite his record of going deep in tournaments, doubts remain whether Southgate is the best man to be in charge of such a richly-talented group of players.

- England's luck runs out -

Hyped as one of the pre-tournament favourites, England coughed and spluttered their way towards the final thanks to a series of late goals and isolated moments of individual brilliance.

Bellingham's overhead kick prevented an embarrassing last 16 exit to Slovakia, Saka saved the day against Switzerland before England advanced in a penalty shoot-out, and Ollie Watkins came off the bench late on to defeat the Dutch.

Palmer looked like he might dig Southgate out of a hole once more by curling in a brilliant equaliser against the run of play.

But England's luck ran out in Berlin as this time they conceded late to Mikel Oyarzabal.

Southgate bemoaned his side's lack of control and physical issues with many of his major players out on their feet.

He has to take his share of the blame though for relying so heavily on the same core of players all tournament despite having arguably the deepest squad in the tournament.

Eight England players started all seven games, while Southgate did not turn to his bench until they were trailing against Slovakia, Switzerland and Spain.

That followed a pattern as England threw away dream starts to lose to Croatia in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup and Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

Southgate was unable to turn the tide as Luka Modric wrestled control for Croatia six years ago and Jorginho dominated the midfield for Italy in the previous Euros final.

This time Spain took the ball straight away with over 80 per cent possession in the first 10 minutes and did not relent, even after player-of-the-tournament Rodri was forced off injured at halftime.

"Ultimately we lost to the better side and we have to reflect on how that happened but it is very clear in my mind," added Southgate.

"For me the key was position of the ball and we didn't have enough control."

Southgate said he will take time to ponder his future.

But as England head home, football does not as the wait for international glory goes on.

Spain conquered Europe for a record fourth time on Sunday as they beat England to win Euro 2024 and want this historic night to be the beginning of a new period of dominance.

Led by young stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, 17 and 22 respectively, many in Luis de la Fuente's superb side will hit their prime in the years ahead.

Between 2008 and 2012 Spain dominated international football, winning the Euros in those years and the 2010 World Cup in the middle.

A fallow period followed with Spain falling badly short in most competitions until reaching the semifinals of Euro 2020.

It was a positive sign but a last 16 defeat by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup spelled the end of Luis Enrique's reign and the start of what was to come.

No longer dependent on dominating possession, Luis de la Fuente's Spain play to a wide variety of strengths.

Sometimes they do keep the ball, as in the second half of their semifinal win over pre-tournament favourites France, but are not afraid to go direct, with the speedy and skilful Williams and Yamal duo leaving full-backs for dead on the counter.

Spain's football has changed but they are hoping their domination of the international stage will be repeated.

"The European champions have been deservedly crowned, today I am even prouder and I hope this impulse will serve to be even better," said De la Fuente.

"You can always improve and that's our objective... we will do it because these players are an example for everyone, they are so good."

Three of the stars from their golden generation, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa, watched on in the Olympiastadion as La Roja lifted a major trophy for the first time in 12 years.

- Laughing stock -

Their elation in Germany comes after a troubled period in which the Spanish football federation became a global laughing stock.

After their brilliant women's team won the World Cup in Australia last August, disgraced former president Luis Rubiales sparked worldwide controversy by forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso.

The man who appointed De la Fuente as Luis Enrique's replacement eventually stepped down from his post three weeks later under heavy pressure from the government and the women's players, who went on strike.

De la Fuente came close to the brink himself after applauding a fiery Rubiales speech initially refusing to resign, but apologised for it later, saying he was under "psychological stress" in the situation.

The coach had also come under heavy scrutiny after a shock defeat by Scotland in Euros qualifying in March 2023, but steadied the ship by winning the Nations League three months later, confirming Spain were on the right track, at least on the field.

With the team no longer dependent on stars from Real Madrid and Barcelona, but instead a real mix including a strong Basque contingent from Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, Spain believed in themselves and their plan, even if others viewed them as lacking players to compete with the likes of France and England for the trophy.

They beat both, as well as hosts Germany and Euro 2020 winners Italy – the other four of Europe's 'big five'.

"This is a dream, we are the best national team in Europe," Rodri told ITV.

"Imagine what we have next – we are so happy. We made history but it doesn't stop here, we have talent and we'll keep going."

They won Euro 2024 without Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who suffered a bad knee injury in November, and the Catalan club's young centre-back Pau Cubarsi, whom De la Fuente left behind this time, but will likely be a key component in the future.

Spain were also without Pedri for the semis and final after he was hurt early in the quarterfinal win over Germany.

It is clear why De la Fuente believes Spain's present is bright but their future can be even brighter.

Gareth Southgate said he needed time to reflect on whether he will continue as England manager after Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

The Three Lions have now lost consecutive European Championship finals after missing out on penalties to Italy on home soil three years ago.

Southgate, who contract expires at the end of the year, also led England to the 2018 World Cup semifinals and the quarterfinals four years later in Qatar.

But he has not been able to end his nation's long wait for major tournament glory that stretches back to the 1966 World Cup.

"I need to have those conversations with important people behind the scenes and obviously I can't discuss that publicly first," said Southgate on what his future holds.

"Without a doubt, England have got some fabulous young players and even the young ones now have got a lot of experience of tournaments.

"Many of this squad are going to be around in two, four, six, eight years' time. We have now been consistently back in the matches that matter, so it's the last step that we haven't been able to do."

Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored a dramatic late winner as Spain triumphed in Sunday's Euro 2024 final, beating England 2-1 to confirm their re-emergence as a force on the international stage and end their opponents' dreams of winning a first title in almost six decades.

🏆🏆 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 🏆🏆 #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/KKTpIC2eMx

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 14, 2024

Spain lost influential midfielder Rodri to injury at halftime, but shrugged that off to take the lead within two minutes of the restart through Nico Williams, who was set up by his fellow star winger, Lamine Yamal.

England came from behind as they have done so often at this Euros, as substitute Cole Palmer drove in the equaliser on 73 minutes, moments after entering the fray.

But their resurgence in the game was cut short as Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad forward, turned in a cross in the 86th minute to hand Spain a record fourth European Championship crown, and a third in the last five editions.

🇪🇸 The heroes 🦸🦸#EURO2024 | #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/owzimkMag7

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024

"It has been a marvellous day in which a team has been deservedly crowned champions of Europe," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told broadcaster TVE.

They previously won in 1964, 2008 and 2012, the last two titles coming either side of their triumph at the 2010 World Cup during the golden era of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta.

Whether this generation, led by the brilliant Yamal who was playing here a day after his 17th birthday, manage to repeat the achievements of that magnificent side remains to be seen, but theirs was a fitting victory.

Spain have been comfortably the best team over the last month in Germany and were not intimidated by the atmosphere at the Olympiastadion, where the majority of the crowd were given over to England's cause.

England had hoped to finally claim a first men's international title since their fabled victory at the 1966 World Cup, but fell just short in their first ever final on foreign soil.

"To lose the final is incredibly tough," said their manager, Gareth Southgate.

"Congratulations to Spain, they were the best team in the tournament and the best team tonight."

After the agony of their defeat on penalties to Italy three years ago, they are the first side ever to lose back-to-back Euros finals.

Captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, is left at the age of 30 still looking for the first trophy of a career so rich in goals, this defeat coming after a season in which he also won nothing with Bayern Munich.

SPAIN OVERCOME RODRI INJURY

It was always likely that Spain would control this game, and England spent most of the first half chasing the ball.

Spain controlled the game from the off, but it took until stoppage time at the end of the first half for either team to manage a shot on target, with Phil Foden's effort from a Declan Rice free-kick delivery being easily saved by goalkeeper Unai Simon.

But it was just before that in which Rodri hurt himself, sliding into teammate Aymeric Laporte on the follow-through as he blocked a Kane shot.

Spain's outstanding holding midfielder was unable to continue, and made way for Martin Zubimendi at the restart.

It felt like the loss of such a presence in the middle of the park could completely throw Spain off course, and yet they wasted no time in opening the scoring.

England were braced for the danger to come from Spain's two wingers, and it was they who combined for the goal, as Yamal collected a Dani Carvajal pass and darted inside.

He released a pass for Williams, who scored with a controlled, low first-time shot across Jordan Pickford and into the far corner.

Dynamite. #EURO2024 | #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/XpqKzlIXTN

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024

England would now need to come from behind, but then again that was exactly what they had done in each of their three previous knockout games.

Southgate took off his talisman Kane on the hour mark and sent on Ollie Watkins, a repeat of the substitution that won the semifinal against the Netherlands.

Spain had chances to increase their lead and their fans began to greet every successful pass with an 'ole', as Southgate tried to turn the tide by sending on Palmer for Kobbie Mainoo.

Within three minutes England were level as Bukayo Saka's ball in from the right was laid off by Jude Bellingham for Palmer, who found the net from range with a low first-time effort into the corner.

🔃 Subbed on: 70'
⚽ Goal: 73'

Cole Palmer 😱#EURO2024 | #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/AuISlLk7oV

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024

However, Spain grabbed the winner with four minutes to go thanks to their own super-sub.

Oyarzabal played the ball out to Marc Cucurella on the left before racing into the middle to turn his teammate's low cross into the net, staying just onside in the process.

Spain then held on, although only after a vital clearance off the line from Dani Olmo to deny Marc Guehi at the death.

“And the best team won it.” - Peter Drury

What a moment for Spain 🇪🇸#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/OjBtCsfTWl

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 14, 2024

England captain Harry Kane said Sunday's 2-1 Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, the Three Lions' second-successive defeat in the tournament's showpiece game, will "hurt for a long time".

England lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy at Wembley, having made it to the semifinals of the World Cup two years earlier.

England were also eliminated at the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup by eventual finalists France, with Kane missing a late penalty.

Speaking with ITV, the England captain, who was subbed off after 60 minutes, said the latest major tournament heartbreak after Spain's late winner was "tough to take".

"It's hard to put into words how we're all feeling right now... We did well to get back into the game and struggled to build on that," added Kane.

Spain lost Rodri to injury at halftime but took the lead just two minutes into the second half, Lamine Yamal drifting in from the left to find Nico Williams, who cut the ball under England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Cole Palmer equalised three minutes after coming on as a substitute to give England hope but Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner with four minutes remaining.

On the pitch in the #EURO2024 final for barely two minutes and scores.

Cole Palmer 🥶 pic.twitter.com/5uXK2tW5zW

— England (@England) July 14, 2024

"We've been coming from behind all tournament, we've got it in the locker. We didn't take the next step and win it," Kane said.

"The second half was better and we got the goal. We got caught with a cross and that's the final."

Despite a stellar individual career with numerous goalscoring honours, the 30-year-old Kane is yet to win a team trophy.

Prior to Sunday's match, Kane said he would gladly "swap everything in my career" for Euros glory.

The forward finished with three goals at the tournament, the equal most, but struggled with a back injury.

"It's an opportunity missed. These finals aren't easy to get to. You have to take it when it comes and we haven't done it again.

"It's extremely painful and it'll hurt for a long time."

Asked about the future of England manager Gareth Southgate, Kane said the man who had been in charge since late 2016 would "go away and take time to decide".

"We wanted to win it for him."

We fell short of what we wanted to achieve this summer, but this group gave everything and have done us proud.

Your support in Germany and back home has been incredible. Thank you. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YBivqQXfJe

— England (@England) July 14, 2024

Devastated at losing a second successive Euros final, England coach Gareth Southgate was magnanimous in defeat, saying Spain were the best team and deserved their triumph on Sunday.

Spain won all seven games in Germany en route to lifting the trophy, but England gave them a hard fight in the final, losing 2-1 to a Mikel Oyarzabal goal four minutes from time.

"As always in these games, it's fine margins. But I think they were the best team in the tournament and over the piece they deserved to win," Southgate said.

"We've competed until the very end of the final. I think today we didn't keep possession of the ball quite well enough," Southgate said after Spain outplayed England for long periods and enjoyed 63 per cent possession.

"They press you really well and you've got to get out of that pressure and we weren't able to do that and in the end that meant they had more control of the game, and that can wear you down a bit.

"That said, we were still right in there when we get the equaliser, so the game was still wide open," he said, ruing a late chance for England when a header was cleared off the line.

Southgate, desperate to give England a first trophy since their 1966 World Cup win, did not comment on his future.

"It's going to take a while to pick all the bones out of it really," he said, acknowledging the sub-par performance of captain Harry Kane who lacked sharpness and was substituted.

"Physically, it's been a tough period for him. He came in short of games and not quite got up to the level we'd have all hoped," Southgate said.

We fell short of what we wanted to achieve this summer, but this group gave everything and have done us proud.

Your support in Germany and back home has been incredible. Thank you. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YBivqQXfJe

— England (@England) July 14, 2024

Kane was equally devastated.

"Losing in a final is as tough as it gets. We did really well to get back into the game, to get to 1-1. We could have used that momentum to push on. We couldn't quite keep the ball and we got punished for it," he said.

"It's as painful as it could be in a football match ... It's the last stage of the tournament. There's a lot of tired legs, a lot of tired mentality there ... It's a huge disappointment."

Kane said the players wanted Southgate to stay.

"We've made it clear we love the manger, that's his decision, this is not the time to talk about that now. That's down to him. He'll go away and think about it. Right now we're all just hurting," he said.

Mikel Oyarzabal struck Spain's Euro 2024 final winner against England on Sunday but La Roja's triumph was inspired from start to finish by explosive wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.

The youngsters have been key on their side's run to the final in Berlin and combined to send Spain ahead against England, a moment that felt fitting given their supreme summer.

Williams' well-taken strike gave Spain a deserved lead and the duo both came close to extending it before Cole Palmer's equaliser for England.

Yamal, 17, and Williams, 22 – both celebrating birthdays in the days ahead of the final – have given Spain an exciting cutting edge in attack they have lacked for much of the last decade, pulling the team to a record fourth European Championship triumph.

Yamal 🤝 Williams #EURO2024 | #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/WAccA4pV6x

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024

Spain previously last won a major trophy in 2012, ending a golden era that saw them lift the Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup trophies.

Since then they have struggled in the wilderness both on the field and more recently off of it too because of their crisis-hit football federation.

This summer many did not consider them among the top favourites to lift the trophy but Yamal and Williams' flair and contagious spirit added vital spark to a national team known for their ability to dominate possession.

Yamal became the youngest ever Euros goalscorer at 16 in the semifinal triumph over France with a brilliant long-range effort and was named young player of the tournament.

Williams was instrumental in the group stage win over Euro 2020 winners Italy and shone in the last 16 victory over Georgia where Spain came from behind to triumph.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the pair had a "gift from god" earlier in the tournament and he deserves credit for choosing to deploy both, rather than choosing a more cautious path.

As a result Spain did not always end up with more of the ball than their opponents but that did not matter to them or their fans as they celebrated with the trophy.

Superestrella 🌟#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/vWUWVxTr5R

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024

NERVES

Despite their superb performances leading up to the final, De la Fuente's young Spain side, many playing in the biggest match of their careers, failed to hit their stride in the first half against England.

Gareth Southgate's cautious team stifled them to an extent but La Roja also showed some nerves, misplacing some passes, making more errors in precision than on the road to the Olympiastadion.

Yamal, the youngest ever player to play in a Euros or World Cup final, initially struggled to impose himself on Luke Shaw, despite it being the Manchester United defender's first start since February.

The England coach switched his system to 4-2-3-1 to ensure there was less space for Spain's wingers to take advantage of and for a while it worked.

Williams swung a cross behind for a goal kick as Spain's frustration built. However they came out for the second half renewed, encouraged by their coach, and quickly reaped the reward.

Yamal surged in from the right and looked for Williams with a cutting low pass into the area. The Athletic Bilbao winger caressed the ball beyond Jordan Pickford and into the far corner, an assured finish.

It was the 22-year-old's second goal of the tournament and Yamal's fourth assist, the most this summer with various other players tied on two.

Williams fed Dani Olmo who dragged wide and then hammered a low drive inches past the post, offering Spain's biggest threat by far.

Yamal played a cute pass for Alvaro Morata but the captain dragged his shot and John Stones was on hand to swipe it to safety.

With England starting to chase the game the teenage Barcelona star was getting the joy he could not find before the interval and Pickford made a smart save to deny him.

In the end it was substitute Oyarzabal that settled the game but Spain's successful campaign will rightly be remembered for their swashbuckling wingers.

It's real ❤️#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/0vHhut7EhH

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024