European Football Championships on channels 14.6.–14.7. Go to the competition website from this link.
England lost 1–2 to Spain in the European football final.
The English saying “It’s coming home” hit my ankle again. England’s dream of a championship did not come true again.
The team was unable to end its 58-year sad streak. The 1966 World Cup win remains the only title for the England men’s national team. The EC final loss to Spain was the team’s second in a row. It lost to Italy in the final of the last European Championship 2021.
England’s players were, as expected, frustrated by the result. The team tied the game handsomely at 1–1, but that was the only way Spain finally won the championship.
Star player Jude Bellingham walked towards the bench after the match ended, kicked the cooler in frustration where the team keeps their drink bottles. Then he sat on the court to reflect on the disappointment.
However, after the match, Bellingham also showed great sportsmanship when he went to congratulate his Real Madrid teammate Dani Carvajal and his family.
England’s only goal in the final was scored by Chelsea’s goal stick Cole Palmer22, in an interview with the BBC turned his attention to the upcoming prestigious competitions.
– Positive things have to be included, but we all wanted to go further. Gareth Southgate has been a great head coach for our team, he has taken us to two consecutive finals. The World Cup is in two years, hopefully the players will remember this feeling then.
England head coach Southgate said that Spain was the better team in the final match.
– We had one day less time to prepare for the final than Spain. Today we didn’t hold the ball well enough. We defended well, but when we win the ball back, we have to get out from under pressure. I think they (Spain) were the best team in the tournament.
England’s all-time top scorer Harry Kane in the European Championship finals 2021 and 2024 managed only one shot, one contact with the ball in the opponent’s penalty area and a total of 58 touches with the ball. Against Spain, he was substituted in the 61st minute.
Southgate spoke about the England captain’s tournament being challenging.
– It has been difficult for him physically. Kane did not reach the level we all would have hoped for in the tournament.
Kane has been playing at the highest level for over ten years, breaking several goalscoring records, but he has never won anything.
Even the English supporters went so far as to scold Kane on social media as “the worst player in big games ever”.
Kane himself vented his disappointment to ITV after the final match was decided.
– It’s hard to put into words how we feel at the moment. Tough game. We didn’t take the next step to win the final. The second half was better and we scored. We didn’t succeed in the final goal posts. It was a missed opportunity.
Southgate’s last game?
In his interview, Kane took a stand on the fact that the career of England head coach Gareth Southgate, 53, at the helm of the national team may be over.
– It’s not easy to get to these finals. You have to grab it when the spot comes and we couldn’t do that this time either. It is extremely painful and hurts for a long time. Gareth may leave, but that’s his decision. We wanted to win the championship for him, Kane said.
Southgate has been England manager since 2016, but his current contract is due to expire in December.
English legend and BBC expert Alan Shearer was of the opinion that the EC final was Southgate’s last at the helm of the national team.
– I doubt this will be Southgate’s last game. Where he started in the national team and where they are now. This is a big disappointment in England. The fact is he got us to the final three years ago as well and now to the final here and hasn’t won. It hurts him and maybe he thinks it’s time for someone else to take over.
Southgate himself was unable to comment on his future amid the disappointment.
– I don’t think now is a good time to make such a decision. I need to talk to real people. Now is not the time.
Royals supporting England
King of England Charles left a message for the England national team after the EC final match had ended.
– Even though the defeat came, me, my wife and my whole family urge the team and everyone around to keep their heads up. Getting to the final was a great achievement that brings pride to the nation.
Prince of Wales William was at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium watching the EC final match with his son, the prince George’s with. They were seen celebrating England’s 1-1 draw, but when the match ended, their faces also looked down in disappointment.
The two sat in the enclosure together with, among others, the King of Spain Felipe’s and his daughter, the princess Sofia’s with.
Prince William left a message for the national team on message service X.
– This time it just wasn’t meant to be. We are all still so proud of you. Forward England.