Corazones rotos: Spain 2-1 England - Euro 2024 Final Review
Jul 15, 2024
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Sadly, it was not to be. For the second time in a row, Gareth Southgate’s England fell at the final hurdle, having pushed past initial struggles to drag themselves all the way to the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Having been unable to defeat Italy at Wembley three years ago, it was widely expected that this would be an even harder test against a Spain side that had stood head and shoulders over the other 23 teams in the tournament. Although England fought valiantly, an 86th minute winner from substitute Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain 2-1 ahead and ultimately reclaimed their European crown after 12 years.
Nico Williams is a revelation
Both La Roja and the Three Lions started strongly, with little of the cagey football that has come to characterise major tournament finals of late. Gone was the sluggish and hesitant passing of the ball around in our own half, with England making use of the flanks to cut through and try to make an early mark on the game. On the other side, Spain once again displayed the attacking flair that has allowed them to dominate the tournament. Nico Williams looked deadly on the left wing, and it was he who opened the scoring shortly after the second half resumed.
Like Lamine Yamal, Williams has performed superbly at this Euros and looks on his way to becoming a future Ballon D’Or contender in the years to come. A Yamal assist allowed him to direct a superb strike into the bottom corner to sink English hearts, and from then on, the balance of a match that had previously been surprisingly even started to tip in Spain’s favour.
Out with the old, in with the new
England were lucky not to go two or three goals down in the next quarter of an hour. Dani Olmo dragged a close range effort wide, before Yamal, who had celebrated his 17th birthday just the day before, was denied by another outstanding save from Jordan Pickford. In a tournament where the majority of the England team have arguably fallen below expectations, Pickford has been the standout, and the final was no exception. The keeper displayed both his quality and passion for all 94 minutes of the game, alternating between making excellent saves and bellowing at anyone who dared to look his way.
The same, unfortunately, could not be said for Harry Kane. Despite notching three goals this tournament, the England captain looked as fatigued against Spain as he has all month, and was hooked after just an hour. On came Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer, who looked far fresher and hungrier than the elder statesman. Following a quick counter-attack, it was Palmer who sent England fans into meltdown with a sublime long-range equaliser from a Bellingham pass. Suddenly, things were level again.
Oyarzabal breaks England hearts
Around the country, England fans watched with baited breath as Southgate’s side looked to drag the match to extra time. Yet, unlike three years ago we would not be so fortunate. Four minutes from full time, Marc Cucurella slotted a low cross towards Oyarzabal, who had come on for captain Álvaro Morata and who duly wrong-footed Pickford to give Spain the winning goal.
The Lions tried in vain to claw their way back into contention, but the Spanish wall could not be breached. The sound of referee Francois Letexier’s full-time whistle saw every white-shirted man on the pitch collapse to their knees, exhausted, having given their all to no avail for the second time in three years.
Ultimately, the better team won on the day and England will not go home in shame. However, they left empty-handed once again and the now-58-year wait for a trophy goes on.
What next for Gareth Southgate?
It has been a difficult tournament for England’s most successful manager in fifty years. Despite reaching the final, Southgate has come in for heavy criticism over his squad’s style of play, particularly in the early stages of the tournament. He has now also been in the job for eight years; a lifetime in modern footballing terms. Barely fancied at all at the beginning of his tenure, should he depart now he will go down in history having led his side to back-to-back Euros finals after half a century of relative mediocrity, not to mention two very respectable semi-final and quarter-final exits in the World Cup.
However, regardless of his pedigree, Southgate would be the first to admit that he cannot do this job forever. England may need a fresh face in the dugout if they are to go one step further next time. Though talismans like Kane and Stones are now in their thirties and may be looking to end their international careers within the coming years, the likes of Palmer, Mainoo and Bellingham are likely to feature in the squad for the next decade. With such talent at the manager’s disposal, after eight years it may be time for change.
Nevertheless, England and Southgate can be proud of another fine Euros performance, even if silverware has eluded the Three Lions once more. Muchas felicidades a España, who wholeheartedly deserved to win the tournament this year. We go again, looking ahead to the World Cup in North America in two years’ time.