Spain 2-1 England: Three Lions become first team in history to lose consecutive EURO finals

England falter again. It’s a story we know all too well: a month of excitement and preparation builds up to one moment, and the Three Lions waltz away empty-handed.

This was meant to be the year, but not even a sublime strike from substitute Cole Palmer could salvage victory for Gareth Southgate’s men amidst goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal in Berlin.

Southgate previously hinted at stepping away from his role as England’s head coach if football didn’t come home this summer. The pressure to do so will have increased tenfold in Berlin tonight – but while the Three Lions may not have anything to show for the last eight years of his tenure, the near-decade has been the nation’s best since 1966.

As it happened

England lay on the cusp of greatness as the evening drew in at the Olympiastadion. Ninety minutes would make or break yet another talented generation of footballers; some already working behind the scenes to put the pieces back together following their involvement in the EURO2020 final defeat three years ago.

The mood was one of sheer jubilation as fans flooded into the stands, the famous Marathon Gate partially blocked to be repurposed as makeshift TV studios. Berlin was a sea of white, save for the official Spanish areas that dominated the east end of this historic venue.

From rousing renditions of Vindaloo to a stunning closing ceremony that culminated with a live version of the official EURO2024 anthem, a party atmosphere was building in the German capital – but the crowd’s infective energy did not seem to rub off on the match itself.

Not initially, at least. It took fifteen minutes or so for Bukayo Saka to force the first real England chance, finding Kyle Walker on the right only to see Aymeric Laporte bring an end to the move with an effortless flick behind for a corner.

The Three Lions would produce the first shot on target of the night deep inside first-half stoppage time; a neat John Stones delivery falling perfectly for Phil Foden at the back post. The Manchester City starlet struck first time, directing his effort on target but into the grateful arms of Unai Simón too.,

Confidence was high as the players took to the field again, buoyed further by Rodri’s early withdrawal – but the mood was soon dampened, and England were left with nothing short of a mountain to climb when Spain struck gold.

Two minutes into the half, la Roja began to knock the ball around nicely. Lamine Yamal needs no introduction: this time, however, he opted to chip a pass through a congested area to find Nico Williams. He made no mistake. The finish was sublime, across goal to beat Jordan Pickford and spark euphoria amongst the travelling Spaniards.

England had a mountain to climb, a mountain that could very quickly have doubled in magnitude had Dani Olmo not dragged his shot wide of the far post, or had Nico Williams managed to produce the same degree of accuracy with his second attempt on goal.

Gareth Southgate needed a goal threat. Harry Kane wasn’t cutting it, and with Ollie Watkins’ heroics against the Dutch still fresh in his memory, the England boss shook things up.

It was the introduction of Cole Palmer that would really liven things up in Berlin, though. The substitute restored parity within three minutes of his introduction with an inch-perfect strike that nestled into the bottom corner with aplomb.

But when Jordan Pickford was forced to produce no less than three magnificent saves in the dying stages, it was perhaps no surprise that Luis de la Fuente’s Spain would eventually regain their advantage. They did so in style, with defensive mishaps allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to dart in front of Marc Guéhi and slot home with ease.

England couldn’t convert late chances. The flight home, albeit just two hours long, will take an eternity. Pressure mounts on this squad that has once again come so close but yet stayed so far from silverware.

The wait for silverware will have reached six decades by the time the 2026 FIFA World Cup rolls around. Now more than ever, that feels like a must-win.

The lineups

ESP: Simón; Cucurella, Laporte, Le Normand, Carvajal; Ruiz, Rodri; Williams, Olmo, Yamal; Morata

ENG: Pickford; Guéhi, Stones, Walker; Shaw, Rice, Mainoo, Saka; Bellingham, Kane, Foden