Spain failed in their quest to win a joint-record, fifth European Under-21 Championship on Friday as they lost 1-0 to a superior Germany side.
Mitchell Weiser's first-half header punished Spain, who looked lacklustre and lethargic compared to the spritely Germans, with the scoreline flattering La Rojita.
Albert Celades’ team were unchanged from their 3-1 victory over Italy in the semi-finals, meaning a start for hat-trick hero Saul Niguez.
Germany, meanwhile, boasted quality talent of their own, including former Bayern Munich full-back Weiser, Schalke attacker Max Meyer and ex-Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry.
Despite Spain looking dangerous in the opening few minutes, Kepa Arrizabalaga had to tip over Weiser’s left-wing drive just as quickly, before similarly denying Meyer.
Max Arnold then had an effort swerve just wide of the goalkeeper’s top-right corner, whereas Hector Bellerin headed a corner inches wide of Julian Pollersbeck’s far post.
Gnabry was by far the player seeming most capable of making something happen in the first half, and he smacked a piledriver into side-netting, before almost turning in a free kick at Kepa’s near post.
Die Mannschaft took the lead with five minutes until the break as Weiser’s header from a fair few yards out looped over Kepa and into the back of the net.
More to follow...
Germany 1-0 Spain
Weiser 40
Germany: Pollersbeck; Toljan, Gerhardt, Stark, Meyer, Arnold, Gnabry (Amiri 81), Kempf, Weiser, Haberer (Kohr 83), Philipp (Oztunali 87)
Spain: Kepa; Bellerin, Vallejo, Mere, Jonny (Gaya 51); Llorente (Mayoral 83), Saul, Ceballos; Deulofeu, Sandro (Williams 71), Asensio
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