Mikel Oyarzabal will remain a Spanish and Real Sociedad legend long after his career ends.
The Basque forward ended Spain's 12-year wait for a major title by beating England 2-1 in the final in Munich.
Luis de la Fuente opted to bring him on for captain Alvaro Morata in the second half, with Spain taking a 1-0 lead.
Cole Palmer's late goal looked to have sent the game into extra time before Oyarzabal made the decisive impact with four minutes remaining.
The experienced striker showed great desire to get past two England defenders, and he admitted there was an awkward pause over the moment he was spoiled by VAR.
'I see Cucu [Marc Cucurella] is on the run and the ball will just reach him. That is the moment when I start moving,” he said in an interview with The Guardian.
“When the ball comes in, I think: 'Come there, let's touch it.' When the ball goes in, I don't know if I'm offside. I look at the linesman and he starts running.
'There is a waiting period. I ask the referee: 'Everything is OK, does that count?' And finally he says: 'Yes.'”
Oyarzabal's candid omission reveals the whole specter of emotions running through his mind as Spain finally crossed the line to victory.
It is by far the most important goal of Oyarzabal's career and his international spell shows no signs of ending in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.
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