Spain Deserved to Lift the Euros Trophy, Says Southgate

BERLIN -- Heartbroken after losing a second consecutive Euros final, England coach Gareth Southgate was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Spain's superiority and conceding that they were deserving champions on Sunday.

Administrator

3 August, 2024

Spain emerged victorious in the tournament, winning all seven games and ultimately lifting the trophy. However, England put up a valiant effort in the final, falling just short with a 2-1 loss due to a Mikel Oyarzabal goal in the dying minutes.

Gareth Southgate, the England manager, acknowledged the narrow margin of defeat, praising Spain as a deserving champion. He also highlighted his team’s resilience, competing until the very end despite Spain’s dominance in possession.

Southgate attributed Spain’s success to their effective pressing, which disrupted England’s ability to maintain possession. This led to Spain having greater control of the game, which took a physical and mental toll on the English players.

Despite the equalizer that kept England in contention, Southgate lamented their inability to capitalize on late chances, including a header cleared off the line.

With England still yearning for their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup, Southgate refrained from commenting on his future plans. He did, however, address the below-par performance of captain Harry Kane, attributing it to physical fatigue and a lack of match sharpness.

Kane, visibly distraught, expressed his devastation at coming so close yet falling short. He acknowledged England’s struggle to maintain possession and their inability to capitalize on the momentum after equalizing. Kane described the loss as excruciating, especially given the team’s exhaustion and mental fatigue at the tournament’s climax.

The players, according to Kane, want Southgate to remain as manager, but he acknowledged that the decision rests with Southgate, who will need time to reflect.