The ball rolled under the floodlights, and the Euro 2024 final was officially underway.
England knocked it around their backline, feeling out Spain's press—John Stones to Walker.
Walker to Rice. Rice to Bellingham. The rhythm of an opening chess match, each pass a test, and each touch a probe.
Izan moved instinctively, pressing forward the moment Rice hesitated.
Spain's shape compacted, forcing England to retreat for a moment before Walker switched it long to Saka.
And then, in an instant, the game truly began.
⸻
Saka took his first real touch of the game near the halfway line, but Cucurella was on him immediately.
A quick shove, a tight squeeze—yet, no space to breathe.
Bellingham dropped deeper, offering an option, and Saka flicked the ball inside.
But Pedri was already reading it.
The Barcelona midfielder pounced, sliding in with perfect precision to poke the ball away and It fell straight to Izan.
He took one touch, then glanced up and then, he was off.
