Spanish television on Monday morning is dominated by one story: La Rioja’s victory against England.
RTVE has reporters at the airport waiting for the return of the victorious team from Germany this afternoon in Madrid and the victory celebration in the Spanish capital.
Reaction in Germany
England captain Harry Kane came under particular focus across Europe, with the striker’s trophy-less drought used to mock the Bayern Munich forward.
Newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung’s headline read “Football still isn’t coming home”, and added: “Is Harry Kane the only person so cursed that he managed to be eliminated in the second round of the DFB Cup and still lose a final in Berlin in the same year?”
German tabloid Bild said of the match; “Incredible: (Lamine) Yamal kicked off the triumph with his fifth assist of the tournament, the best of all the players. The Barcelona star even had the chance to take the lead himself, but (Jordan) Pickford saved in the 67th minute.
“In the stands, King Felipe VI (56) and his daughter Sofia (also 17) celebrated the child prodigy. England appeared shocked and lacking ideas after conceding a goal. Prince William (42) and his son George (10) suffered for a long time, but could also celebrate, because England coach Gareth Southgate (53) has a golden touch.
“It was bitter for England: In the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, Southgate’s team still managed to turn deficits into victories. But the Three Lions could not come back against Spain.
“This also means that Southgate may now leave without a title after eight years as national coach.”
Broadsheet newspaper Handelsblatt reports: “Victory eludes England even further.”
Meanwhile, Spiegel magazine adds: “Spain started with long periods of possession. The English team was forced deeper and deeper into their own half, but defended vigilantly. Defence leader John Stones and Luke Shaw, who had been brought into the starting eleven, were able to prove themselves in one-on-one duels; England’s attackers around captain Harry Kane initially failed to prove that they were in the Olympic Stadium
Online reaction
Memes draw on history making particular reference to Blas de Lezo, an admiral who won a decisive victory over an English fleet in Cartagena de las Indias, now modern day Colombia, in 1741.
With a picture of the Prince of Wales after England were defeated, one says: “When you see that Blas de Lezo is close.”