Huge blow for Spain as Rodri fails to emerge for Euro 2024 final second half as Martin Zubimendi replaces him at the break... but it doesn't take long for them to break the deadlock vs England

Spain were dealt a big blow at the half-time interval in the Euro 2024 final as a distraught Rodri was substituted due to injury.

Spain's midfield maestro was seen with his head in his hands as he walked off the pitch at the break – before taking his place on the bench for the second half.

It looked to be a big blow for the Spanish given they would have to play the next half of football without their talismanic midfielder with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi was brought on his place.

However, it only took 70 seconds for Spain to break the game's deadlock in devastating fashion, with Nico Williams lashing a low shot into the net to stun a sleepy England.

Moments before Spain scored the opener, Rodri's substitution took the ITV panel by surprise.

'You talk about England getting luck in situations… wow,' Gary Neville said as the second half was just about to get underway.

Ian Wright added: 'He’s the best midfielder in the world and he’s just gone off the pitch.'

While Lee Dixon said: 'If you want to see the back of someone it’s him. That record goes with him now.'

Rodri appears to have picked up the injury while trying to block Harry Kane's shot on the box, which saw him collide with his own team-mate Aymeric Laporte.

Rodri was then seen with his head in his hands as he walked off for half-time. 

England managed to survive a tough spell after conceding and got a goal of their own with Cole Palmer scoring superbly from outside the box to level the score.