Spain will be looking to win their fourth European Championship as they take on England in the final of EURO 2024 in Berlin.

📸 UNA 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗭.#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/A6KNBJGYkw

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 9, 2024

We thought we’d take a look back at the last time La Roja were victorious in the competition, and what has changed for them since their success at EURO 2012.

After winning the two previous major tournaments, EURO 2008 and the World Cup in 2010, Spain had a reputation to uphold, and further their world dominance, and low and behold they did just that, boasting the highest scoreline in the history of EUROs finals, beating Italy 4-0. Winning this match meant that Spain were the first team to ever retain the EUROs, and the only team to ever win three consecutive major tournaments.

Euro 2008 ✅
World Cup 2010 ✅
Euro 2012 ✅
Euro 2024 ❓

Spain are looking to become the first European nation in history to win four successive major international tournament finals 🏆🔂 pic.twitter.com/mGdGQy6WWw

— LiveScore (@livescore) July 14, 2024

Unlike the current tournament, they only had to play six matches to win the tournament, as there was no round of 16. Funnily, their opening group stage match was against Italy, who they would eventually meet in the final. That game ended 1-1, so no one knew what to expect the second time around. After the Azzurri had to get through England and Germany in the knockouts to get to the final, it was anyone’s game.

After their first match of the tournament being a draw, Spain pretty much cruised to the final, not conceding another goal for the entire tournament. Beating the Republic of Ireland 4-0 in the group stage set the tone for what quality everyone should expect from them going forward. It was a statement to everyone that they were there to win it.

A 1-0 win against Croatia finished their group stage in first place, although this game wasn’t as easy. It remained 0-0 for the majority of the match, and looked certain to end in a draw, until Jesús Navas scored an 88th minute equalizer to break Croatian hearts.

The quarter-finals clash against France was a more comfortable win for Vicente de, Bosque’s men. Xabi Alonso opened the scoring with a powerful header off of a cross from Alba to wipe out Hugo Lloris’ chances of a clean sheet. La Roja dominated the match, creating chances and keeping possession, and eventually they sealed the win late on after a tackle from French defender Anthony Réveillère on Pedro meant that Alonso could convert a penalty and end the game with a brace and winning the game for his nation 2-0.

Spain found themselves playing Portugal in the semi-finals, just one match away from being able to retain their title. Unlike the other matches so far, Spain were unable to use their normal game plan of the famous ‘tiki-taka’. Portugal were pressing hard and both sides pretty much cancelled each other out. In the end it seemed as though Portugal were the side creating more chances. However, Spain were able to hold out for a 0-0 draw and not much happened in extra time, so it went to a penalty shootout. The biggest pressure moments of their careers.

It started off poorly for them, with Alonso missing the first spot-kick, giving Portugal the advantage, but they didn’t capitalise on it, with João Moutinho missing the first kick as well. After that, Spain were faultless, with Iniesta, Gerard Piqué and Sergio Ramos all scoring. Bruno Alves missed his penalty for Portugal and it was down to Cesc Fàbregas to send them through to the final, and he did just that, with a fantastic shot that hit the post and in.

This match showed the other side of Spain, the resilience and composure, the experience and confidence. They definitely were capable of retaining this title, and it was only four days later that they were to face Italy in the final.

The final was played at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine. It didn’t take long for David Silva to establish the lead for Spain with a header, something rare for the man from Gran Canaria. The goal came from a fantastic delivery by Cesc Fàbregas.

The next goal came before the halftime whistle, with Jordi Alba running solo and putting it past Gianluigi Buffon after receiving a perfectly timed through ball from Xavi Hernández. The sides went into the break with Spain clearly on top, and no signs of Italy fighting back.

The second half was a repeat of the first, with substitutes Fernando Torres and Juan Mata both putting their names on the scoresheet to confirm Spain as the champions. A dominant performance which was nothing short of world class, proving this Spanish squad to be one of the best in the history of the Euros. You only have to look at their squad list to realise how good that squad was.

A reminder that Spain started six midfielders in the Euro 2012 final and won 🏆 pic.twitter.com/y8oOZGYxD1

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 24, 2024

The hat-trick of trophies was in the bag for Spain, and they scooped up the individual trophies as well, with Andrès Iniesta winning player of the tournament, and Fernando Torres collecting the golden boot, with three goals to his name. There were five other players who had scored three goals, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Balotelli, but taking into account number of assists and fewest minutes played, it was the Chelsea man who came out on top.

This tournament was the cherry on the cake to prove that Spain were in fact one of the best national teams to ever play in a European Championship.