England suffer Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain – leaving Southgate’s Three Lions future in the air

BY EDMUND BRACK

Gareth Southgate’s England future is in the balance after their Euro 2024 final defeat at the hands of Spain on Sunday evening.

The former Crystal Palace captain took the Three Lions to their second major tournament final under his tenure after beating Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands en route to the showdown in Berlin.

But Southgate’s side suffered consecutive Euro final defeats – losing to Italy in 2021 – after Spain ran out 2-1 winners in normal time.

La Roja took the lead early on in the second half when their star wingers combined to give them the lead two minutes after the break.

Lamine Yamal, 17, played through Nico Williams, 22, to slot beyond Jordan Pickford.

Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer equalised from distance in the 73rd minute with a left-footed curling effort from distance.

But England’s quest to end 58 years of tournament glory was extended after Spain won it four minutes before the end of the normal time when Marc Cucurella’s cross was turned home by Mikel Oyarzabal.

Southgate said: “Congratulations to Spain. They were the best team in the tournament and the best team tonight.

“Our players have been incredible. They have given everybody some incredible nights -they couldn’t have given any more in terms of their effort, desire and character.

“Tonight, we fell short. We didn’t keep the ball well enough.

“We couldn’t play through the counter press well enough and we didn’t really use the ball well until we were a goal down.

“We had a decent period in the game and got the equaliser. But the physical toll of the issues we came into the tournament, the extra time periods and then having as little of the ball as we did, took a big toll.

“It was a part of the reason why legs started to go at the end and you start to make mistakes.

“The players have pushed it until the 85th minute of the final game – they have been incredible.”

Southgate, 53,  has been in charge of the national side since 2016, but his current contract is due to expire in December.

Plastic cups were aimed at Southgate by supporters following their goalless draw with Slovenia in the group stage.

Asked about his future, Southgate said: “Now is not the time for me to speak about that. I need to talk to the right people and give myself a bit of time.

“To get to another final, it was a privilege to have the opportunity. But to come up short is hard at the moment.

“They have represented the shirt with pride and haven’t been beaten until the very end. I just think Spain had more control of the game.

“England are in a really good position in terms of the experience they have. Most of this squad will be around for the next World Cup and maybe the next Euros.

“There’s a lot to look forward to but at this moment, it’s not any consolation.

“Of course, to take England to two finals has never been done, but we came here to win and we haven’t been able to do that.

“England have some fabulous players. We have been consistently back in the matches that matter. It’s the last step we haven’t been able to do.”

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi played the full 90 minutes in the final, but Oyarzabal got goal side of the 24-year-old for the winner.

Eagles trio Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton and Dean Henderson all remained as unused substitutes during the game.

Former Charlton duo Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez were also on the bench.