England lose Euro 2024 final with 2-1 defeat to Spain
After a grand total of 51 games over the past few weeks Euro 2024 has come to an end and Spain have ended up as the champions.
After a relatively nervy first half where there was some good football but little chance of a goal, Spain caught England napping in the opening stages of the second half and scored through a goal from Nico Williams.
All of a sudden that English defence which had held Spain at bay for 45 minutes looked very vulnerable as Dani Olmo almost doubled his nation's lead a little while later.
England grew back into the game and shortly after he was substituted on Cole Palmer fired an effort from outside the box into the goal to level up the score.
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However, it proved to be heartbreak for England as in the final minutes of the match Mikel Oyarzabal slotted home a cross from Marc Cucurella to make it two goals for Spain.
A late England effort was headed off the line, and when the referee's final whistle blew it marked a second Euro final in a row that England had reached and tasted bitter defeat with the score 2-1 in Spain's favour.
The Three Lions had gone into the game as underdogs, with Spain the side more fancied to win, but England put on a good performance nonetheless.
England’s road to the final
The eve of the tournament
Southgate made the bold decision to leave the likes of Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling out of the preliminary Euro 2024 squad.
But on the eve of the tournament came the shock announcement that Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire would not make the final 26.
With Grealish it was perhaps more of a form issue, while the Manchester United defender's exit from the squad was down to injury.
The group stages
England's performance in Group C was less than convincing up against the likes of Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
Although one win and two draws from those games was enough to see the Three Lions finish at the top of the group.
The knockout stages
England's poor group form carried into their first round of 16 match against Slovakia.
While Southgate seemed reluctant to change up the system, some fans thought it almost cost them the competition.
After Slovakia took the lead, it took a last-minute bicycle kick from Jude Bellingham to save us from knockout embarrassment.
In extra time, Harry Kane's header secured the victory with a 2-1 win.
When it came to the quarter final against Switzerland, the manger appeared to switch to a three at the back and England looked to be much more of a threat in the first half.
But when the opponents took the lead with just 15 minutes left in the match, it was Arsenal's Bukayo Saka who smashed in an absolute screamer from the outside of the box.
The game went to penalties and all of Southgate's subs proved vital in the 5-3 shootout win.
Then in the semi final earlier this week, the Netherlands took the early lead before captain Kane equalised via a controversial penalty.
But England again left it late as super sub Ollie Watkins fired in a goal in the last minute from a seemingly impossible angle as the game finished 2-1.
England’s journey under Gareth Southgate
Southgate was appointed manager in 2016 and the national team definitely experienced a revival.
After reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, their best performance since 1990, England also got to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals in 2019.
But it was in Euro 2020 (played in 2021) when they were closest to winning.
It happened to be their first major final since 1966, but ultimately ended in sadness, losing out to Italy 3-2 on penalties from a 1-1 draw.
Despite facing criticism for his 'conservative tactics', some might argue that Southgate has brought more success to England than any other manager, apart from World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey.
Southgate’s future as England manager
Before the final, Southgate said: "The way my emotions have gone over the last five weeks, it would be ridiculous for me to think about anything beyond this game.
"We’ve got time to make decisions and I won’t need weeks, but also I think I’ve earned the right to give myself a few days just to think things through.
"I know where it would have been if we went out in the group stage, that’s for sure. I have a pretty good idea in my head."
Additional words by Joe Harker.
Topics: Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Football, Sport
Anish Vij