England suffered late heartbreak in Berlin after Spain scored in the final minutes to beat the Three Lions 2-1 and win Euro 2024.
It is the second Euro 2020 final in a row that England have lost after being defeated by Italy in the Euro 2020 final, played at Wembley Stadium in July 2021 – postponed by the pandemic.
Harry Kane, the captain, said it was a “huge disappointment” and “as painful as it can be”.
“We are all suffering,” said Kane, adding that it was a “difficult tournament” during which the England team “had to show a lot of resilience”.
But he said they did “very well” to get back into the game when Cole Palmer scored a long-range equalizer and had a “great moment at the end when [Spain] erased from the line”.
On Gareth Southgate’s future, Kane said: “We love the manager, but it’s his decision.”
Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal scores his team’s second goal. Photo: Reuters
Southgate said his team competed until “the end of the final” and were “still in the game after 80 minutes”.
But he admitted they didn’t keep possession of the ball “well enough”.
Spain were the “best team in the tournament”, he said.
Prince William stands in solidarity with England’s Jude Bellingham at the end. Photo: Reuters
Prince William, who was at the stadium, said: “This time it wasn’t meant to be”, adding on social media: “We are all still very proud of you.”
King Charles told the England team to “keep their heads up”.
Reaching the final was a “great achievement in itself”, said the monarch, and “one that brings with it the pride of a nation that will continue to roar for the Three Lions”.
England’s Phil Foden overtakes the cup after losing the final. Photo: PA
After a tense 45-minute first half, in which both teams struggled to find their rhythm, Spain came out of the blocks after the break.
They scored the goal just over a minute into the second half, with Lamine Yamal coming in and passing the ball to Nico Williams on the left.
The winger – Spain’s biggest threat in the first half – placed the ball low and firm into the far corner of the English net.
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Shortly afterwards, Dani Olmo had a chance for Spain but was a little off-balance as he shot towards the far post from 15 yards.
But Gareth Southgate’s side have not yet been defeated.
In the 73rd minute, substitute Cole Palmer hit a beautiful long-range shot into the left corner of the Spanish net, equalizing with 17 minutes remaining.
Cole Palmer celebrates England’s first goal. Photo: PA
But Mikel Oyarzabal broke England’s hearts with an 86th-minute goal, scoring from Marc Cucurella’s perfect cross.
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