"Here we are, champions of Europe," said Nico Williams, whose opening goal for Spain in the 47th minute was canceled out by England substitute Cole Palmer in the 73rd. "We are thrilled and hope this can keep going and we can go for the (2026) World Cup." Spain won all seven games at this European Championship — an unprecedented feat — and there were joyous scenes after the final whistle, with defender Dani Carvajal piled on by jubilant teammates after slumping to the ground. Both Cucurella and Lamine Yamal — the 17-year-old prodigy who assisted Williams' goal — were among the first to jump over the advertising hoardings to reach the Spanish fans in the stadium's east end.

"This is the best (birthday) gift I could have asked for," said Yamal, who turned 17 on Saturday. "It is a dream come true." It was fitting that Yamal and Williams combined for the crucial first goal as they are the poster boys of this exciting, multicultural team that mirrors Spain's changing demographics.

Yamal's mother is from Equatorial Guinea and his father is from Morocco, while fellow winger Williams has Ghanaian parents who made the long journey to Europe looking for a better life. To make it to Spain, they had to ride on the back of a crowded truck and walk barefoot through the Sahara desert.