SPAIN 2, ENGLAND 1
Football is not coming home. The pain and hurt goes on after England lost to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions failed to capture the men’s national team’s first piece of silverware in 58 years in heartbreaking manner as history beckoned with a first overseas trophy win.
A late goal from Spain substitute Mikel Oyarzabal provided heartbreak after England had dragged themselves back into the match through a leveller from Wythenshawe’s Cole Palmer.
At the death, though, England so nearly made it 2-2 as Declan Rice’s header was brilliantly saved by Unai Simon and Marc Guehi’s follow-up effort was clear off the line by Dani Olmo.
On reflection, though, England were second best and Spain worthy winners as they made it seven wins out of seven at the tournament.
It was still agony for England, also beaten finalists in the last Euro final, as captain Harry Kane explained: “Losing a final is as tough as it gets.
Embed from Getty Images“We did well to get back into the game but needed to push on with that momentum.
“It is down to big moments and there was one at the end when we had a chance cleared off the line.
“It’s been a difficult ride and we have done extremely well to get to the final, but you are judged on this.
“It is as painful as it comes and a huge disappointment. We are all hurting.”
Southgate, in possibly his last match as England manager, added: “We’ve competed until the very end of the final. I think today we didn’t keep possession of the ball quite well enough.
“We defended well but when you win the ball back you need to get out of that pressure. And we weren’t able to do that. That meant they had more control of the game and that can wear you down a bit.
“That said we got the equaliser and then it was wide open. A big chance at the end to equalise so as always it is fine margins. I do think they were the best team in the tournament.
“England are in a really good position in terms of the experience they have. Most of this squad will be around for the World Cup and the next Euros. There’s a lot to look forward to but at this moment it’s not any consolation.”
England went into the final having never lost in six previous matches in Berlin and were hoping to extend that impressive sequence.
They made one change from the semi-final against the Netherlands as Manchester United’s Luke Shaw was preferred to Kieran Trippier at left back. It was his first start in any match since February because of a hamstring injury.
England had eight players who had started in every match at Euro 2024 with six of them appearing in the delayed final defeat to Italy in 2021.
The opening period saw Spain dictate play but neither goalkeeper was extended until stoppage time when Simon dealt with a shot from Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
Spain lost City’s Rodri, who was named player of the tournament, at half time through injury.
They overcame that huge setback to made the breakthrough within two minutes of the restart when 17-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal set up Nico Williams as the Athletic Bilbao star fired home from the left of the box into the far corner.
Dani Olmo and Alvaro Morata had chances to extend the lead as Spain took a vice-like grip on the game.
Southgate made his first chance after an hour as Kane was replaced by semi-final hero Ollie Watkins.
England had to wait until midway through the second period before having their first clear-cut chance when Jude Bellingham fired narrowly wide.
England keeper Jordan Pickford made a great save to deny Yamal as England remained in with a shout.
Southgate’s second change with 20 minutes left saw United’s Kobbie Mainoo replaced by ex-City starlet Palmer.
And within two minutes Palmer had equalised with a low shot from outside the box which took a slight deflection past Simon.
Pickford ensured parity remained with another super stop, again to deny Yamal.
Their luck finally ran out in the 87th minute when Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella crossed for Oyarzabal, who was onside by a matter of inches, to slot home from six yards.
Brentford’s Ivan Toney replaced Foden and England so nearly forced extra time with the efforts from Rice and Guehi in the 90th minute as there was no last-gasp escape as Spain were crowned Euro champions for a record fourth time.
They enjoyed almost two third possession and had 16 goal attempts to England’s nine as they emerged worthy winners.