July 16, 2024
WRITTEN BY:
Melinda Head

Euro + Copa Wrap-Up

What an amazing weekend!

Mikel Oyarzabal scored just 4 minutes from time, cementing Spain as the 2024 European Champion with a 2-1 victory over England. Meanwhile, just a few hours later across the pond in Miami, Lautaro Martinez scored in the 112th minute of overtime, landing Argentina a 1-0 victory over Colombia.

Euro

The only men’s team to ever win all 7 games played at a Euro Cup, Spain has now won the European Championship a record-breaking 4 times, including 3 of the past 5 Euros (2008, 2012, 2024). What’s even more remarkable is that Jesus Navas is the only player on the Team from 2012 (age 38), with a new generation now delivering the goods and showing that it is absolutely up to the task. Lamine Yamal, a paltry just-turned 17-year old sporting braces, is the youngest athlete to ever play in a World Cup or European Championship final, smashing Brazilian legend Pelé’s 1958 record (+248 days). On Wednesday Yamal scored an equalizer goal against France that allowed Spain to advance to the finals and, then on Sunday, he teed up 22-year old Nico Williams’ opening goal in a brilliant show of talent. Great things are expected from this phenom kid.

Professional soccer player youngsters Yamine Lamal Nasraoui Ebana and Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, age 17. Yamine was scouted by FC Barcelona at age 6

Meanwhile, England (the birthplace of soccer in 1863) suffered its 2nd straight final defeat in its elusive 58 year search for a World or Euro title.

Copa

South Americans are known for their fiery personalities and deep passion for soccer. Sunday was no exception. Security was likely on higher alert than normal after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump the day before at a crowded rally.

With temperatures hitting 91 F in Miami on Sunday and a sellout crowd of 65,000+ fans, Copa America security was breached, eventually resulting in a 75 minute delay

Although 37-year old Lionel Messi would dearly have loved to land the winning goal at the Copa final on Sunday, his final contribution was limited following a right ankle injury that saw him exit in the 64th minute, and promptly burst into tears.

Instead, glory went to 26-year old Lautaro Martinez in the 112th minute of extra time, providing the Argentinian National Team with its second straight Copa America title.

Lautaro Martinez delivered the winning goal in Sunday’s Copa America final match

And, thus, Colombia’s 28 game unbeaten streak came to an abrupt end, while Argentina made history with a record 16th Copa America title on the back of triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and the last Copa America in 2021.

Uruguay, which defeated an amazing new entrant, Canada, on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw to earn 3rd place, is Argentina’s bridesmaid, with 15 Copa crowns to its name.

Next stop: World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico!

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About the Author

A serial entrepreneur, Melinda is a sociologist and statistician who believes there is no currency with greater value than knowledge

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