England fell at the final hurdle once more as Spain won a tightly-contested Euro 2024 final in Berlin to raise questions about the future of manager Gareth Southgate after four tournaments in charge.
Speculation has begun that Southgate will move on before the 2026 World Cup and there are new candidates emerging as to who will replace him with former Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp and current Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on the wishlist.
The FA may be looking for a manager with a more attacking philosophy to fully unlock a talented squad and build on the platform created by the current Three Lions boss, after he led them from the doldrums of a humiliating Euro 2016 loss to Iceland to consistently competing at the business end of tournaments.
The Three Lions came so close to glory at the last Euros, losing to Italy in a heartbreaking penalty shootout at Wembley, and fell behind in Berlin as Nico Williams gave Spain the lead before Jordan Pickford was forced into a stunning save to deny Lamine Yamal.
Follow all the fallout from England v Spain in the Euro 2024 final below:
England v Spain Euro 2024 final
- England beaten by Spain in Euro 2024 final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion
- REPORT: Gareth Southgate shows same old shortcomings as England reach limit against Spain
- ANALYSIS: Sluggish Harry Kane helps cement England’s place as football’s eternal nearly men
- RATINGS: Player ratings as Mikel Oyarzabal crushes England hopes
- Gareth Southgate’s England squad leaves Germany
- Eddie Howe a ‘leading contender’ on FA shortlist if Southgate resigns as England manager
- Pochettino and Tuchel also enter frame to succeed Southgate
Spain 2 - 1 England
Spain midfielder Lamine Yamal:
18:38
Mike Jones
“I am very happy. This is a dream. I’m looking forward to returning to Spain and celebrating with all the fans. It’s the best birthday present ever.
“When England equalised, it was difficult. I don’t know what this team is made of, but we always manage to get back up.”
Spain with European Championship for fourth time
18:26
Mike Jones
Spain won all seven matches at Euro 2024, becoming the first European nation to win seven matches at a major international tournament (Euros/World Cup) and just the second overall, along with Brazil at the 2002 World Cup.
Jude Bellingham shares thoughts after ‘cruel’ Euro 2024 defeat
18:13
Mike Jones
Jude Bellingham says England “sacrificed a lot” to be in the Euro 2024 final - making their “cruel” 2-1 defeat to Spain even harder to take.
Manager, Gareth Southgate, echoed the player’s words, admitting that the “physical toll” affected the team towards the end.
“It’s so tough these days with the crazy schedules and then coming together for the end of the season”, Bellingham told reporters after the game.
“Mentally, physically you’re exhausted but for our country we wanted to give everything.”
Gareth Southgate reveals where England fell short in Euro 2024 final defeat
18:00
Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate has revealed where he believes England fell short after their painful defeat at the hands of Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
The Three Lions fell to a 2-1 defeat in the showpiece game in Berlin, with Cole Palmer’s equaliser original cancelling out Nico Williams’ opener, before substitute Mikel Oyarzabal snuck between the centre-backs to take the game away from England and the trophy back to Spain.
And speaking in the wake of another painful, narrow tournament defeat, Southgate said that England’s inability to retain the ball contributed to the loss.
How England fans reacted as Spain scored during Euro 2024 final
17:46
Mike Jones
The downbeat reaction of England fans as Spain scored in the Euro 2024 final has been caught on camera.
Supporters piled into large venues around the country including Boxpark in Wembley and London’s O2 Arena to watch the game, however, it wasn’t all smiles as goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal left them with their heads in their hands.
England enjoyed a brief 13 minutes of being neck-and-neck with their rivals following a 73rd-minute goal from Cole Palmer, but in the end it wasn’t enough to secure the victory, when Spain scored again in minute 86.
King urges England team to ‘hold your heads high’ after Euro 2024 final defeat
17:36
Mike Jones
The King urged England’s football team to “hold your heads high” after their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, while the Prince of Wales said “we’re all still so proud of you”.
Spain claimed a 2-1 win while the Three Lions fell at the last hurdle for a second European Championship final in succession. The years of hurt go on for England, with the World Cup win in 1966 their last and only major silverware.
Charles, in a message to manager Gareth Southgate and the team, said: “Although victory may have eluded you this evening, nevertheless my wife and I join all my family in urging you and your support team to hold your heads high.
“All those who have participated in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly despairing such a result can feel when the prize was so near – and will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain.
“But please know that your success in reaching the European Championship final is a really great achievement in itself, and one that brings with it the pride of a nation which will continue to roar for the Three Lions today – and in the many triumphs which I have no doubt lie ahead.
“Charles R.”
⚽️ His Majesty The King has written to Gareth Southgate and the @England team following their loss against Spain at the @EURO2024 final this evening.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 14, 2024
Read the letter below. pic.twitter.com/YTHYRfeR44
Spain’s new golden generation can dominate football again – Euro 2024 is only the beginning
17:25
Mike Jones
An unprecedented era of dominance, the greatest men’s international side of the modern age. Back-to-back-to-back winners of major tournaments. The Spain side of 2008-2012 gave football a new way of looking at the uppermost elite reaches of the game, and gave all sides to come after them a lot to live up to.
The fall which followed, though, was swift, dramatic and prolonged: Spain won just one match at each of their next three World Cups following victory in 2010 and haven’t been past the round of 16 since then.
After retaining the European Championship in 2012, they won only two games in ‘16 and the same number in 2021. A long time in the relative wilderness, even if the latter tournament saw them sneak through to the last four.
Fabian Schar hopes Eddie Howe sticks with Newcastle
17:12
Mike Jones
Should Gareth Southgate choose to step down as England manager there is no shortage of possible candidates to replace him with one of the favourites being Newcastle’s Eddie Howe.
Fabian Schar addressed the possibility that his manager could leave the Premier League club and said: “Well, actually I hope he will stay at Newcastle.
“Because if you see the work he’s done over last few years, I think you know he has a lot of quality and knows how to handle a big club and team.
“I mean, for myself as well, he did very well and I’m really happy to have him as a manager, so hopefully he stays at Newcastle. That’s the only thing I can think of.”
Super Campeones: How Spanish media reacted to their Euro 2024 victory
17:00
Mike Jones
Spain’s media was expectedly jubilant in the aftermath of their European Championship victory over England.
Spain lifted the trophy in Berlin, while England, hearts were broken, for a second successive time in a Euros final.
La Roja won all seven matches at the tournament, without needing penalties, as the nation lifted the trophy for a record fourth time. On their route to the final were Italy, Germany France and England, Europe’s only teams to have won a World Cup, while Gareth Southgate’s men enjoyed a more favourable side of the draw.
Spain’s newspapers wasted no time celebrating the occasion.
Carragher backs Southgate to continue
16:50
Mike Jones
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher believes Gareth Southgate is the best person to lead the men’s side and defended his decision making in Sunday’s final.
Writing in his Telegraph column Carragher said: “Southgate remains the right man to lead the country to the 2026 World Cup. He should not be scapegoated for the Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain.
“He led the country to another final in which they were deservedly beaten by a superior side, but there is no way his selections or in-game decisions were the decisive factor last night.
“My belief going into the game was Southgate had to stay, win or lose. Conceding an 86th-minute winner does not change that.”
Neville has his say on England’s defeat
16:37
Mike Jones
After England’s loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville told Sky Sports: “We were dead on our feet on that pitch. Until we can master the ball, find solutions to work our way out under pressure, I do think we will continue to fall short.
“At Manchester United, we won the odd game on the counter-attack but over the course of the season, we had to control football matches.
“It’s hard work being without the ball and England play without the ball in too many big games against too many big opponents. There’s no reason with the technical players we’ve got why we can’t keep the ball better.”
Allardyce on Southgate’s future
16:26
Mike Jones
“The one thing Gareth has to think of is (he’s been manager for) eight years,” Sam Allardyce said on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. “Who was the last England manager to last longer than eight years?
“It’s a long time to soak up the pressure that’s upon you and maybe it’s the time where he thinks that his tenure has been long enough.
“We seemed to not be able to find the right system for the talent pool we had, which is very difficult when you’ve got so much talent,
“It was a little disappointing but overall Spain were the better side. The other matches where the opposition weren’t as good as we were, you could maybe criticise a bit more about our attacking play.”
Gareth Southgate may feel eight years as England boss is enough
16:13
Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate might conclude he has taken England as far as he can after eight years as manager, according to his immediate predecessor Sam Allardyce.
Despite several lacklustre displays at Euro 2024, Southgate led England to just their third major men’s final appearance and first on foreign soil only to suffer a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Spain on Sunday.
Southgate’s future will now be the subject of intense speculation with his contract due to expire in December but the man himself was giving nothing away in the aftermath in Berlin.
England players who could have played in their last major tournament
16:03
Mike Jones
Harry Maguire
Maguire’s hopes of reprising his big tournament heroics for England were dashed by a calf injury which prematurely ended his season at Manchester United in April.
The 31-year-old defender’s presence in the attacking penalty area in particular was sorely missed, but his struggles in recent seasons and the emergence of the likes of Guehi and Konsa do not bode well for his hopes of an international return.
England players who could have played in their last major tournament
15:55
Mike Jones
Lewis Dunk
Brighton central defender Dunk was one of five squad members not to play a single minute at Euro 2024 and, while their role in helping to prepare those who were involved cannot be underestimated, Dunk’s age at 32 and his apparent place in the pecking order suggests time may not be on his side.
John Stones was one of England’s most dependable performers in the tournament and with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and, in his absence, Aston Villa counterpart Ezri Konsa having slipped seamlessly into the Three Lions rear-guard, the baton has been passed on.
England players who could have played in their last major tournament
15:48
Mike Jones
Kieran Trippier
Newcastle’s 33-year-old right-back Trippier was asked to plug the gap at left-back in the first six games of the tournament in the absence of Luke Shaw, who replaced him for the final.
That presented its own challenges, with the former Tottenham and Atletico Madrid defender – who headed for Germany knowing he may be doing so in a major tournament for the last time – struggling to replicate his ability to deliver dangerous crosses at pace on the opposite flank.
England players who could have played in their last major tournament
15:41
Mike Jones
Kyle Walker
At 34, Manchester City full-back Walker has retained much of the pace which has fuelled his career and made him such an attractive proposition to a manager who values his ability to support the attack down the right, but also get back to perform his defensive duties.
However, he suffered at the hands of Spain winger Nico Williams in the final and with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tino Livramento waiting in the wings, his days could be numbered.
England players who could have played in their last major tournament
15:34
Mike Jones
Harry Kane
England’s record goalscorer with 66, Harry Kane has been a mainstay of Gareth Southgate’s reign whose potency was a major factor in their runs to the 2018 World Cup semi-final and the final of Euro 2020.
However, the 30-year-old, who plundered 44 goals for Bayern Munich last season, was a shadow of his former self in Germany, where he struggled to make his customary impact despite scoring three times.
Shearer on England under Southgate
15:27
Mike Jones
Here’s Alan Shearer giving his thoughts on England’s Euro 2024 performances:
“Gareth Southgate has dragged us from the very bottom and taken us to nearly a team that can be successful.
“But we’ve had that three years ago, we’ve got a better team and squad now, so when that happens, expectations are higher and you’ve got to cope with that.
“Getting to finals when you have got the quality of players like England have, and not winning it, is not going to be good enough. They have got a togetherness, they have got a steel about them, but I think they are better than what they have shown us.”
Violence breaks out among England fans in Berlin and UK after Euro defeat
15:15
Mike Jones
Violence was seen breaking out among England fans in the stands of Berlin’s Olympiastadion as well as in the streets of the UK following their team’s defeat in the Euro 2024 final.
Images and footage show supporters clashing inside the German stadium as well as back home in London and other British cities after the Three Lions fell at the final hurdle once more, with Spain winning the tightly contested tournament.
The Metropolitan Police said there were six football-related arrests made in the capital on Sunday, including for alleged assault, alleged homophobic abuse, and alleged drug offences. It was also revealed there were 66 arrests in Germany, though the timeframe for this is not known. The United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) said four England fans were arrested on Sunday night, while many people tried to enter the stadium without a ticket.
Why was Marc Cucurella booed as Spain faced England in Euro 2024 final?
15:03
Mike Jones
Spain defender Marc Cucurella was booed throughout the first half of his side’s Euro 2024 final against England.
The Chelsea left-back was jeered every time he touched the ball in Berlin, following similar treatment in La Roja’s semi-final against France.
Spain knocked out the hosts in dramatic fashion, progressing thanks to a 2-1 victory in extra time as Mikel Merino scored a 119th-minute winner. But with the score 1-1 in extra time, the hosts thought they had a penalty when Jamal Musiala’s goal-bound shot struck Cucurella’s arm in the box.
Referee Anthony Taylor did not award a penalty, but Germany were furious with the decision as they were knocked out.
Cucurella, therefore, became the symbol of the controversy and images of the ball striking his outstretched arm were used on the front pages of the morning newspapers.
Hurst believes Southgate’s ‘fantastic’ era has come to an end
14:52
Mike Jones
Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany, spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about Sunday’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
He said: “We played the best team at the tournament, it’s a one-off game and like everyone else in the country I was bitterly disappointed about losing the game,
“But you’ve got to look at it overall - two Euros finals, semi finals of a World Cup. Under Gareth Southgate, it’s been absolutely fantastic.
“We’ve got a group of young players who are young enough to play in the next tournament and, of course, that’s where it all starts, at grassroots level. We had the third youngest side [in the tournament] but with a lot of experience.
“I’m not going to be negative - I’m bitterly disappointed, but my view around Southgate is that it’s a very stressful job.
“My own personal view is that he [Southgate] will say ‘enough is enough’ because that’s a long time in an incredibly stressful job, managing the national team.”
The one lesson England must learn from Spain after Euro 2024 heartbreak
14:40
Mike Jones
As Gareth Southgate tries to figure out what comes next, and whether he will stay as England manager, Spain know exactly what they’re going to do. That – other than celebrate being European champions – is to go for the 2026 World Cup with the same approach, the same idea.
It is the major difference between the teams, and the main reason that Spain won. That should be the lesson and legacy of Euro 2024. Ideology has won over pragmatism. England could look to how Spain have amplified the abilities of their players, enabling them to go out and perform convincingly. There is another way, that can finally bring that long-awaited trophy.
England players applauded as they leave Berlin hotel after Euro 2024 loss
14:29
Mike Jones
England players were applauded by fans as they left their hotel in Berlin to head home following defeat to Spain at the Euro 2024 final.
Cole Palmer helped England equalise with Spain during the 73rd minute, but a goal from the opposition in the final minutes secured the win.
Gareth Southgate previously commended the team’s “incredible” determination in the tournament, but admitted the “best team won” in the end.
However, he hasn’t yet acknowledged whether he’ll continue to serve as manager. Over 50,000 fans travelled to Berlin to watch England play in the final.
Five candidates emerge to replace Southgate as England boss
14:20
Jack Rathborn
There are five candidates initially to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager, reports the Telegraph.
Eddie Howe leads the way, with Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley also options.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott will lead the search for a successor should Southgate resign after another Euros heartbreak.
‘It was a tough tournament’ says Kane
14:18
Mike Jones
Here’s a bit more reaction from Harry Kane who spoke last night saying: “It’s been a tough tournament. We’ve had to show a lot of resilience, me personally and the whole team as well. It’s been a difficult ride.
“We’ve done extremely well to get here, but ultimately were going to be judged on this game. We wanted to do it so badly for ourselves, but also for the fans and everyone who has believed in us the whole way, so right now it’s just huge disappointment.”
Kane says pain of England’s Euros final defeat is ‘as tough as it gets’
14:08
Mike Jones
Harry Kane admitted Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain was “as tough as it gets” after Mikel Oyarzabal grabbed a late winner in Berlin.
The England captain said: “We couldn’t quite keep the ball and we got punished for it towards the end of the game, so it’s as painful as it could be in a football match.”
Asked why England had not been able to build upon Cole Palmer’s leveller, Kane added: “I don’t know. We didn’t quite manage the same intensity and pressure, I guess, we didn’t quite keep the ball well enough.
“It’s the last stage of the tournament, there’s a lot of tired legs, there’s a lot of tired mentality there and we just struggled. Then obviously we got caught with the ball in behind.
“These [games] are down to big moments, we had a big moment at the end there where they cleared one off the line and it could have been different, but for now it’s just really disappointing.”
The dark truth behind England football and the ‘high stakes’ on and off the pitch
14:00
Mike Jones
“I was petrified of him coming home and killing me.” For Emma Armstrong, a survivor of domestic abuse, football went from an enjoyable pastime and hobby to something that even 11 years on has left its scars.
Emma went from a season-ticket holder at a Premier League club to someone who actively avoids the game and tries to distance herself from it because of the association between football and what she experienced.
Football is unavoidable, especially when England are in a major tournament, and it has a lasting impact far beyond the reaches of whether Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad succeed or fail.
Southgate assesses Euro 2024 final
13:49
Mike Jones
“I think Spain were the best team in the tournament. We didn’t keep the ball well enough. We were in it until the last 10 minutes. I’m devastated for everyone. We have just fallen a little short,” said the England boss in the immediate aftermath of their Euro 2024 defeat.
“We had a little bit of momentum in the game at that point [when Cole Palmer equalised]. There’s a big chance at the end to equalise too but across the 90 minutes, I’m not sure we did enough.
“Spain press well and you have to keep the ball when you win it back. In the end, that’s the bit that takes more out of your legs.
“I think the players will take enormous credit for getting us to where we did but when you’re as close as that, you have to take your chances. They have represented the shirt with pride and haven’t been beaten until the very end. I just think tonight Spain had more control of the game.”
Eddie Howe a ‘leading contender’ on FA shortlist if Gareth Southgate resigns as England manager
13:40
Jack Rathborn
Eddie Howe is a ‘leading contender’ on the FA’s shortlist should Gareth Southgate resign as England manager.
The Times reports that the Newcastle boss is of serious interest but the FA would first have to seek permission from the Premier League club to speak with him.
A big fee in compensation would be due if an agreement was reached between the FA and Newcastle, with Howe, with his current deal thought to run until 2027.
England forward Ollie Watkins on Gareth Southgate:
13:38
Mike Jones
“He brings a togetherness for a start. This group of lads are such a tight knit group.
“Since he has come in he has been the most successful England manager there is - he deserves a lot more praise than what he gets. I would have loved to win as he deserves it more than anyone.”
FA Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham, said:
13:27
Mike Jones
“We came to Germany to win the tournament, and we didn’t want it to end this way. We are all hurting tonight, but we should be incredibly proud.
“I would like to thank Gareth, Steve, all of the players and the support team for their huge commitment and hard work to try to win the trophy for the country. They will be more disappointed than anyone to fall just short.
“This is our fourth major tournament final in four years for the Three Lions and the Lionesses, and our ambition to win major tournaments is stronger than ever.
“Our wonderful fans have supported us with pride and passion here in Germany and back at home. Everyone involved with England wants to make the country proud, and we really appreciate their support.”
Sluggish Harry Kane helps cement England’s place as football’s eternal nearly men
13:19
Mike Jones
Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Jack Charlton, Bobby Moore, Ray Wilson, Alan Ball, Nobby Stiles, Bobby Charlton, Martin Peters, Roger Hunt, Geoff Hurst. It is still just those 11 men: immortal in one respect, though in another only Hurst is still with us. They remain the lone England men’s team to win a major trophy. There remain reasons that 1966, like 1066, seems a pivotal year in the country’s history. There has still been no repeat. Like Italy three years ago, Spain extended the English wait.
Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane couldn’t climb onto the pedestal with the 11 iconic figures; not even with the assistance of Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer, who completed a remarkable, ridiculous season by becoming the fourth man to score for England in a major final. Yet only two, Hurst and Peters, did so in a winning cause.
England squad leave team hotel after Euro 2024 defeat
13:07
Mike Jones
Rodri reacts to Spain’s European Championship victory
12:55
Mike Jones
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri gave his thoughts on his country’s win over England and what lifting the European Championship means for the team going forward.
“In life and in sport, when you give your best effort and sacrifice yourself, you get the reward from everything you gave up to get there,” Rodri told Spain’s TVE.
“We have made history. We have beaten four world champions (Italy, Germany, France and England) one after the other, the hardest way to win it. It speaks to the mentality of the team.
“This is something that was cultivated, many of us were Under-19, Under-21 champions together. The coach knew what he was doing. The coach knew what he was doing!”
Marc Cucurella mocks Gary Neville after ITV pundit claimed Spain couldn’t win Euros with Chelsea left-back
12:42
Mike Jones
Marc Cucurella has had the last laugh after Gary Neville questioned whether Spain could win Euro 2024 with the left-back on the pitch.
Neville made the comment earlier in the tournament while working as a pundit for ITV, when he suggested Cucurella was one of the reasons why he felt Spain could not win the Euros.
Cucurella was Spain’s first-choice left-back for the tournament despite enduring a difficult season with Chelsea, and he provided the assist for Mikel Oyarzabal’s winning goal against England in the final.
Afterwards, Cucurella posted Neville’s quote on Instagram alongside the caption: “We went all the way Gary. Thanks for your support,” accompanied by loveheart, trophy and Spanish flag emojies.
Who will be the next England manager?
12:31
Mike Jones
Here are the latest odds from Betfair about who could replace Gareth Southgate if he decides to step down as England manager.
Graham Potter is the favourite and is also currently available while the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe are being heavily linked to the role as well.
Betfair: Next permanent England manager
Graham Potter: Evens
Mauricio Pochettino: 5/2
Eddie Howe: 7/2
Pep Guardiola: 15/2
Lee Carsley: 9/1
Jurgen Klopp: 14/1
Steven Gerrard, Thomas Tuchel, Ange Postecoglou: 20/1
Jose Mourinho, Steve Cooper, Steve Holland, Sarina Wiegman: 25/1
Frank Lampard, Brendan Rodgers, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Will Still: 33/1
Zinedine Zidane, Sean Dyche, Gary O’Neil: 40/1
Roy Hodgson, David Moyes, Scott Parker, Rob Edwards: 50/1
England player ratings as Harry Kane fails to make an impression on Euro 2024 final
12:20
Mike Jones
Jordan Pickford 7 - Collected the high ball well a few times in the first half, and overall did what was needed. Couldn’t have done much about the goal, but made a brilliant save from Yamal later on.
Kyle Walker 5 - Was solid both in defence and attack in the first 45, but had a lot more defending to do in the second half. Not as effective in attack in the second half, and despite forming a very effective partnership with Saka down the right flank, he was caught out for both goals.
John Stones 6 - Brilliant defending 1-v-1 early on against Williams, and helped Guehi out to stop Morata too. Overall was good in marshalling the defence, and was unlucky to be playing Oyarzabal on side for the second Spain goal.
Marc Guehi 5 - Dealt with Morata and Yamal well on the whole and was so unlucky not to get a late equaliser. Oyarzabal lost him for the second goal, when his concentration seemed to have gone for a split second.
Bukayo Saka 6 - Occupied Cucurella well and created chances down the right, including the equalising goal. Helped out very well in defence too, but like the rest of the squad just lacked that final touch in and around the box.
Declan Rice 5 - Several important early interventions, but sloppy in his passing early on .Tends to shine more in games like this, when England don’t dominate possession, but lost the ball several times and struggled when Southgate put the defensive burden on him late on.
Kobbie Mainoo 5 - Couldn’t really get involved in the early stages, but a few well-timed challenges got England out of trouble and helped create attacks. Came in and out of the game but couldn’t make a telling contribution, and came off after 70 minutes.
Luke Shaw 5 - Let Yamal know he was there early on, and won the first few battles, but was evaded by the youngster for the Spain goal. Offered very little in attack throughout, but still justified his selection.
Jude Bellingham 6 - Was very lively in the early stages but couldn’t find that last bit of quality until he laid off a great assist to Palmer. Showed some flashes of brilliance but once again was burdened by the manager’s system and tactics.
Phil Foden 5 - Another disappointing day for the City man. Did nothing wrong but just couldn’t take control or deliver that final bit of quality. Another victim of the system and tactics, as has been the case throughout Euro 2024.
Harry Kane 5 - A rash challenge meant he was booked early on, and that was his biggest involvement. Couldn’t stretch the back four, and though he did have a potentially dangerous shot blocked, was often too deep to affect the game. Replaced around the hour mark.
Substitutes:
Ollie Watkins 6 - Couldn’t make his mark on the game despite stretching the defence better than Kane. Wasn’t his fault, as England faded.
Cole Palmer 7 - Took the game to Spain from the moment he came on, and originally shone as he was deployed more centrally. Took his goal brilliantly, but wasn’t unable to do much else as England faded.
The sliding doors moment of Cole Palmer, England and the Euro 2024 trophy
12:10
Mike Jones
England have had a summer of “moments”. That’s what their Euro 2024 has been: a tournament of instants, of individual dramatics along the way to go with longer spells of passiveness and yes, even outright tedium at times.
Awaiting moments. That was the plan, it seemed, in the final in Berlin: readily ceding possession to Spain but with no real concerns, with a very secure-looking backline and hard-working midfield denying Spain room to run behind or play through, holding them at bay with ease.
For 45 minutes the dangerous wingers were doubled up on, the centre-backs were excellent in winning their duels; from time to time big diagonals gave them opportunities to break on La Roja.
England’s Euro 2024 defeat to Spain watched by peak TV audience of 23.8m
12:01
Mike Jones
England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain was watched by a peak audience of 23.8m across the BBC and ITV in what is the highest combined audience for a television broadcast this year.
The BBC’s audience peaked at 17.8m while ITV’s coverage was watched by a peak of 6m.
The viewership is substantially down from the 31m who watched England lose to Italy in the Euro 2020 final three years ago and it is only slightly up on the audience who tuned in for England’s semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday night.
Spain Euros hero Nico Williams shares tactics that helped team secure victory
11:57
Mike Jones
Nico Williams, the 22-year-old responsible for Spain’s opening goal during the Euro 2024 final against England, has shared the tactics he used to help his team secure victory.
“It’s true that England were really well organised at the back, I tried to play one-twos with my teammates”, he said of his preparation in a press conference following the game.
“I need to adapt to my teammates, I try to do my best to receive the ball with an advantage.”
Williams scored in the 47th minute, followed by an 86th-minute winner from Oyarzabal.
What about Harry Kane’s future?
11:45
Mike Jones
The England captain scored three goals at Euro 2024 and ended up sharing the Golden Boot prize for leading goalscorer yet his performances came under criticism and there were lingering questions over his fitness levels.
Gareth Southgate said: “I mean, look, Harry’s led the team brilliantly, but we’ve had a few that are a little bit short of their physical peak, I think,” he said. “And we’ve been battling with that all tournamen
