UEFA Euro 2024 Final, Spain vs England Highlights: The final of the 2026 World Cup was two years and five days from when Spain became the most successful team in the history of the European championship with four titles. A lot can happen between now and then for what is sport if not real life in fast forward. But in the here and now, Spain look invincible. And they do that by playing beautiful football. The achievements of their golden generation may stay unmatched but this Spain team can be slicker and sharper.

That much can be said on the basis of their performance in Euro 2024. Seven played, seven won, the final in Berlin the perfect finish to what started with a 3-0 rout of Croatia. Spain were at England’s throat for most of the night. Cole Palmer got England breathing again after Nico Williams’ goal but Spain scored again through Mikel Oyarzabal. Dani Olmo’s clearance from the goalline in the 89th minute meant there would be no more late goals resuscitating the English campaign. When Alvaro Morata slow-bounced to his mates with the trophy, there would also be no arguing that the best team won.