Spain won. Honestly, that’s the short version, but it doesn't even come close to explaining the shift we saw in German stadiums last summer. If you’re looking for the next Euro Cup 2024, you’ve actually missed the party—it wrapped up in Berlin with Luis de la Fuente’s squad lifting the trophy after a 2-1 win over England. But looking back from 2026, the tournament wasn't just about the scoreboard; it was the moment international football finally stopped being boring.
People expected the usual defensive slog. We’ve all sat through those tournaments where big teams play "not to lose" until someone catches a lucky break in the 89th minute. Euro 2024 flipped that script. Spain didn't just win; they won seven straight matches without needing a single penalty shootout. That is basically unheard of in the modern era. They scored 15 goals, a new record for a single Euro tournament, and they did it by actually attacking. Imagine that.
The Lamine Yamal Factor and Why Age is Just a Number
You can't talk about this tournament without mentioning the kid. Lamine Yamal turned 17 the day before the final. Seventeen. Most of us were struggling with algebra at that age, but he was busy curling a 25-yard "howitzer" into the top corner against France in the semi-finals. That goal was officially named the Goal of the Tournament, and for good reason. It wasn't just the technique; it was the sheer audacity to take that shot with the weight of a nation on his shoulders.
Yamal became the youngest player to ever appear in a Euro final, breaking a record previously held by Renato Sanches. But he wasn't alone in the "youth revolution." We saw Arda Güler lighting things up for Turkey, scoring a wonder goal against Georgia at just 19. It felt like a changing of the guard. The old legends were still there—Cristiano Ronaldo played his record-extending sixth European Championship—but the spark clearly came from the teenagers.
The contrast was sharp. While Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure, failing to score from open play and exiting in the quarter-finals after a penalty loss to France, the young guns were playing with a freedom that made the "heavyweights" look sluggish.
England’s "Almost" Era and the Southgate Exit
England fans are tired. You've heard the "It's Coming Home" chants for years, and in 2024, they got closer than almost anyone expected given how they actually played in the group stages. They were seconds away from going out to Slovakia in the Round of 16. If Jude Bellingham hadn't pulled off that bicycle kick in the 95th minute, the post-mortem would have been brutal.
But they kept grinding.
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The final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin was a strange game. Nico Williams put Spain ahead, Cole Palmer equalized with a brilliant strike from outside the box, and for a moment, it felt like England might actually do it. Then Mikel Oyarzabal slid in for the winner in the 86th minute. England became the first team to lose consecutive Euro finals. Shortly after, Gareth Southgate stepped down. It was the end of an era that brought a lot of "almosts" but no silverware.
What the Stats Actually Tell Us
If you’re a numbers person, Euro 2024 was a bit of an anomaly. Usually, the Golden Boot goes to one clear standout. In Germany, it was a six-way tie.
- Harry Kane (England) - 3 goals
- Dani Olmo (Spain) - 3 goals
- Jamal Musiala (Germany) - 3 goals
- Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) - 3 goals
- Georges Mikautadze (Georgia) - 3 goals
- Ivan Schranz (Slovakia) - 3 goals
Because UEFA changed the rules, they didn't use assists as a tie-breaker for the trophy itself, so they all shared the honors. It highlights how spread out the talent was. Georgia was the real "fairytale" story here. Making their debut, they managed to beat Portugal 2-0 in the group stages. Their keeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, was making saves that didn't even seem physically possible.
The tournament attendance was massive, too. About 2.7 million people filled the stadiums, and another 6.2 million hit the fan zones. Germany proved they can still host a massive party, even if their own team got knocked out by Spain in a heart-wrenching quarter-final. That match, settled by Mikel Merino’s header in the 119th minute, was arguably the "real" final in terms of quality.
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Looking Toward the Future: Euro 2028
Since the next Euro Cup 2024 is now firmly in the history books, the football world has shifted its gaze to 2028. This one is going to be different. It’s a joint bid between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.
The tournament is scheduled for June and July 2028. They’re planning to use 10 stadiums, including the iconic Wembley, the new Everton Stadium in Liverpool, and Casement Park in Belfast—though that last one has been a bit of a headache with construction costs.
We’re looking at more than three million tickets being available, which would make it the biggest Euro ever. The opening match is set for the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff, and the final will, predictably, return to Wembley.
Actionable Takeaways for the Fans
If you're still buzzing from the 2024 action and looking ahead, here is what you need to do:
- Track the 2028 Qualifiers: The draw for the 2028 qualifying groups happens in December 2026. Keep an eye on it because the "host" spots aren't guaranteed for all five nations; UEFA usually only reserves two automatic spots for hosts in joint bids.
- Watch the Nations League: This is where the smaller "Georgia-style" teams earn their playoff spots. If you want to spot the next underdog, this is the place to look.
- Follow the Youth: Keep tabs on the U-21 championships. The players who dominated in 2024 were the ones who were lighting up the youth tiers just eighteen months prior.
- Plan Travel Early: If you’re eyeing the UK and Ireland for 2028, remember that travel between cities like London, Glasgow, and Dublin involves more logistics (and flights) than the train-friendly German setup. Start budgeting for those "island-hopping" costs now.
The 2024 tournament reminded us that football is best when it's brave. Spain showed that you don't have to sit back and wait for a mistake; you can go out and force one. That's a lesson every national team coach is currently trying to digest as we head into the next cycle.