Gareth Southgate’s Heartbreaking Euro 2024 Finale: A Near Miss for England
Gareth Southgate has transformed England’s fortunes in major tournaments, but once again, victory slipped through their fingers. A 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final extended England’s 58-year wait for glory.
Before Southgate took the helm eight years ago, England had only reached three major tournament semi-finals and one final, the legendary 1966 World Cup victory. Under Southgate, the team has made it to three semi-finals and two finals in their last four tournaments, yet the ultimate prize remains elusive. Spain, with their masterful play, ended England’s hopes with a fitting win.
Southgate praised his “modern England” after their semi-final victory over the Netherlands, where they dominated possession. However, Spain’s precise midfield play and dynamic wingers, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, outclassed England in the final held in Berlin.
With his contract expiring at the end of the year, questions loom over Southgate’s future. The criticism he faced earlier in the tournament, including fans’ harsh reactions after a goalless draw with Slovenia, weighed heavily on him. Yet, Southgate remains hopeful for the talented young squad he has nurtured.
Cole Palmer, at 22, scored his first international goal in the final, while Jude Bellingham celebrated his 21st birthday during the tournament. Other young stars like Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice are still in their prime. Southgate emphasized the potential and experience of these players, envisioning a bright future for England.
Despite Southgate’s success in taking England deep into tournaments, doubts persist about his ability to lead such a talented group. England’s journey to the final was marked by late goals and moments of individual brilliance, such as Bellingham’s overhead kick against Slovakia and Saka’s heroics against Switzerland. But in Berlin, their luck ran out with Mikel Oyarzabal’s late goal sealing Spain’s victory.
Southgate admitted to physical and tactical shortcomings, acknowledging his heavy reliance on a core group of players throughout the tournament. Eight England players started all seven games, and Southgate often hesitated to use his bench until it was almost too late.
This pattern of faltering in crucial moments mirrored previous disappointments, such as the 2018 World Cup semi-final loss to Croatia and the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy. Spain’s dominance in possession, even after losing player-of-the-tournament Rodri to injury, highlighted England’s lack of control.
Reflecting on the final, Southgate said, “Ultimately, we lost to the better side. We need to understand why that happened, but it’s clear to me that it came down to control of the ball.”
As Southgate contemplates his future, England’s quest for international glory continues. The journey home is bittersweet, with another chance missed, but hope remains for the talented squad and their dedicated manager.
