Spain and Argentina became the champions of their respective continental football championships. Spain won the Euro Cup, while Argentina triumphed in the Copa America.
In two finals held about 7 hours apart, Spain defeated England 2-1, and Argentina beat Colombia 1-0. With these victories, both teams have become the most frequent winners of their respective continental championships.
Spain has won the Euro Cup four times, and Argentina has claimed the Copa America title 16 times. Previously, Germany and Spain had each won the Euro Cup three times.
Spain first became the European champion in 1964 and then won consecutively in 2008 and 2012.
Germany won the Euro Cup in 1972, 1980, and 1996. In Copa America, Uruguay and Argentina had each won the title 15 times before this year.
In the 2021 edition, Argentina defeated Brazil to win the Copa America after 28 years, equaling Uruguay’s record for the most titles.
There is also an interesting coincidence between Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Both players are products of Barcelona’s academy, La Masia.
They spent almost a decade at La Masia. Before the start of the Copa America and Euro Cup finals on Monday, Yamal was the youngest player to score for Barcelona, while Messi was the all-time top scorer for the club.
With Spain’s success in the Euro Cup, Yamal has become the youngest player to play in, score in, and win the Euro Cup. Yamal has often mentioned Messi as his idol.
Just three days ago, Yamal celebrated his 17th birthday, and while he was playing in the Euro Cup, his father shared pictures on social media that were taken 16 years ago when Messi was holding Yamal.
The photographer was also surprised when the photo went public, realizing that the child in the picture with Messi was Yamal.
Now, as the winners of the Euro Cup and Copa America, Spain and Argentina will compete against each other soon. This could bring Yamal and Messi face-to-face.
Previously, Spain became the first European team to defend their Euro Cup title in 2012. At that time, Spain won the Euro Cup in 2008 and 2012, and the World Cup in 2010.
In 2010, Spain also became the first European team to win a World Cup held outside Europe, triumphing in South Africa.
Currently, Argentina has defended its Copa America title and also won the World Cup in between, just like Spain did 12 years ago.
