Spanish eyes smile in Berlin
England were undone by the best team at Euro 2024- but there’s a nagging sense of conservatism that has hindered Gareth Southgate’s side
England were outplayed in the Euro 2024 final by a Spain side that had a clear gameplan and where every player knew their role. It was said that England have been a ‘moments’ side at this tournament, and there have been plenty. Yet in reality, England have been unable to take matches by the scruff of the neck- and against the best side at Euro 2024, this came to be our undoing.
Spain played open and expansive football with quick passing and clinical finishing, and England could only keep them at bay for so long. Chances for Southgate’s side were at a premium, and if not for Jordan Pickford then Spain’s margin of victory could have been much bigger.
Cole Palmer’s brilliant strike gave us hope, but Spain made sure there was no need for extra time. Some brilliant defending with the score 2–1 sealed the deal for Spain, and a side filled with exciting talent was able to cast off the shackles and press home a possession advantage.
England’s quest for international success will now reach 60 years, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA/ Mexico/ Canada the next major tournament. Gareth Southgate has taken charge of four major tournaments now, and this equates to two finals and a semi-final. He took over the national side when we were at one of our lowest ebbs, off the back of some dire performances in Euros and World Cups. The expectations have risen, as has the quality of players England have.
Yet three years on from the penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy, and the same issues about management and tactics are being raised. This group of players is being held back by a style that is hampering individual talent, and this lies with the manager. Southgate has given England fans some wonderful moments, but the Euro 2024 campaign should be his last. The FA needs to look closely at how these players can be best taken forward and the next manager needs to have the ability to switch from moderate to ruthless in swift action.
Fans are being left to question what was worse, getting knocked out in the group stages/ first knockout round of tournaments, or losing semi-finals and finals. There’s no doubt we lost to the better team in Berlin, but not for the first time under Southgate we scored and then sat back, meaning any momentum we gained from scoring went to waste.
Certain players will have big question marks over their futures, with record goalscorer Harry Kane having a poor tournament by his standards. When he was substituted for Ollie Watkins, England had a striker on the pitch who would get under the noses of the Spanish centre-backs and make them work much harder than before. Watkins will be in contention to be the leading man at the next World Cup, which is more than can be said for several other players.
We need to learn from Euro 2024, but also we can still reflect on what was another good summer seeing England move through a tournament. Ten years ago we were knocked out of the World Cup after just two games, and eight years ago we lost to Iceland in their first-ever major tournament. Southgate has progressed to the national side, but the time feels right now to make the next move forward. Just who that next manager should or will be feels like a step into the unknown right now.
