If football is going home, it is only because it belongs to Spain. A record fourth European Championship title was their reward for beautiful passing, outstanding wing play and ruthless finishing, even though there was a brief spell when it seemed another illogical escape act from England was on the cards in Berlin.
For Gareth Southgate, whose 102nd game in charge of England could be his last, the reality is that anything other than a 27th consecutive win for a Spanish team in a men’s final would have been a travesty. It was a drubbing in all but scoreline. Spain had threatened to run riot after going 1-0 up when their lightning-quick wingers combined, Lamine Yamal setting up Nico Williams, and their response to Cole Palmer’s equaliser – more passing, more imagination – meant it was no surprise when the substitute Mikel Oyarzabal turned in Marc Cucurella’s cross in the 86th minute.
