After a month of thrilling football from Europe’s finest talents at the UEFA Euro 2024 championships in Germany, Spain emerged victorious, clinching the coveted title with a 2-1 win over England.
England’s Cole Palmer, coming on as a substitute, provided hope with a brilliant 73rd-minute equalizer after Neco Williams opened the scoring for Spain in the 47th minute. However, Spain’s substitute Mikel Oyarzabal sealed the win with an 86th-minute goal at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, extending England’s 58-year wait for a major title.
Besides claiming the championship and the bragging rights that come with it, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (FEF) celebrated the moment with €27.25 million (£22.95 million) for their victorious campaign out of the total prize money pool of €331 million (£285 million).
On the other hand, England, despite finishing as runners-up and receiving unwanted medals, will console themselves in London with a smaller prize sum of £20.41 million.
According to Daily Mail Sport, the €331 million (£285 million) prize money was distributed among the 24 participating teams. Each nation received €9.25 million (£7.95 million) regardless of their tournament performance, with additional amounts awarded as teams progressed through the stages.
Teams reaching the Round of 16 earned €1.5 million (£1.28 million), while quarter-finalists received an additional €2.5 million (£2.1 million). Semi-finalists, including Spain and England, took home €4 million (£3.4 million), with England receiving an extra €5 million (£4.29 million) as runners-up, totaling £20.41 million.
Spain, who won all seven of their matches, received an additional €8 million (£6.88 million) for a total prize of €27.25 million (£22.95 million).
The final whistle in Berlin marked a historic achievement for Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, becoming the first to win the Under-19 Euros, Under-21 Euros, Nations League, and European Championship titles. La Roja also became the most decorated team in Euro history with a record fourth title.
Meanwhile, Gareth Southgate, unsure about his future as England’s manager, became the first to lose consecutive Euro finals. Additionally, he suffered defeats in the Nations League semi-final and the World Cup semi-final and quarter-final matches.
