Topics: Euro 2024, Spain, England, Marc Cucurella, Gary Neville, Chelsea, Premier League, Football
Marc Cucurella delivered a brutal response to Gary Neville after Spain won Euro 2024.
On Sunday evening Spain beat England 2-1 in the final of Euro 2024 to become champions of Europe for the fourth time.
Spain were the best team at the tournament and Luis de la Fuente's side showed that at Berlin's Olympiastadion, with Nico Williams giving his side a deserved lead shortly after half-time.
England drew level through a superb finish from substitute Cole Palmer, but failed to push on and were sucker-punched by Mikel Oyarzabal's late winner from close range.
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Spain's delight at winning a major tournament for the first time since 2012 came at the expense of England's hopes of ending their 58-year drought.
And it's unlikely there was a Spanish player more delighted than Marc Cucurella.
After enduring a difficult first season at Chelsea following a £55 million move from Brighton last summer, the left-back impressed while starting six of Spain's seven games.
The 25-year-old excelled at both his defensive and attacking duties, and finished his tournament by setting up the title-clinching goal with an inch-perfect cross.
Cucurella's performances will have come as a surprise to Premier League fans, especially Gary Neville.
Ahead of the tournament the former England defender highlighted the defender as an issue and even suggested that he could cost Spain a chance of becoming champions.
"He’s not been convincing at Chelsea, he’s played a few games towards the end of the season, he’s aggressive, he’s tenacious, he’s a busy little full-back," Neville said of Cucurella live on ITV.
"That price tag still, to be fair, astounds everybody I think to this day. The Spanish defence has got a lot of experience now but there’s something just missing from Spain that makes you feel like they’re going to go all the way.
"And I have to say, him [Cucurella] being at left-back probably is another example of why we think that."
Cucurella didn't forget Neville's words. Shortly after full-time on Sunday night, gold medal around his neck, he exacted his revenge.
The Spaniard shared Neville's quote to his Instagram story alongside a photo of him celebrating, with the caption: "We went all the way Gary. Thanks for your support."
Cucurella's girlfriend Claudia Rodriguez got in on the act too. She posted posted a photo on Instagram of Cucurella celebrating with the trophy with the caption: "How was your night, @gneville2?"
