Gareth Southgate believes England’s inability to keep the ball against Spain was a key factor behind their defeat in the Euro 2024 final.
England have become the first team to lose in consecutive European Championship finals after they were beaten 2-1 by Spain in Berlin on Sunday evening.
Cole Palmer scored a brilliant equaliser to cancel out Nico Williams’ opener shortly after half time, but Mikel Oyarzabal’s goal in the 86th minute sealed a deserved victory for Spain.
England’s lack of fluidity throughout the tournament was a constant problem for Southgate and the Three Lions were under constant pressure from Spain throughout the final.
And the England manager believes his side’s inability to keep possession damaged their chances of success against Spain, who he has described as ‘the best team in the tournament’.
‘Our players have been incredible, they’ve given everybody some incredible nights. They couldn’t have given anymore in terms of their effort, their desire, their character,’ Southgate said.
‘Tonight we fell short, we didn’t keep the ball well enough. We actually defended well in the first half in particular, limited their possibilities, but we couldn’t play through the counter press well enough.
‘We actually didn’t really use the ball well until we were a goal down, then we had a decent period in the game.
‘We got the equaliser but I think the physical toll of the issues we came into the tournament with, the extra-time periods and then tonight, having as little of the ball as we did, ultimately that took a big toll.
‘I think was part of the reason why at the end, you know, legs started to go and you start to make mistakes.
‘But, you know, the players have pushed it till the 85th minute as the final game. They’ve been incredible, really.
‘It’s very clear in my mind, the game, as I said, for me the key was possession of the ball tonight and we didn’t have enough control.’
In a separate interview with the BBC, Southgate said: ‘I think today we didn’t keep possession of the ball quite well enough.
Especially when we defended well, they press you really well and you’ve got to get out of that pressure and we weren’t able to do that, and in the end that meant they had more control of the game and that can wear you down a bit.
‘I think they were the best team in the tournament and over the piece they deserved to win.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE : Dani Carvajal forced to miss Spain Euro 2024 celebrations after taunting Bukayo Saka
MORE : Harry Kane responds to injury claims after England’s Euro 2024 final loss to Spain
MORE : Marc Cucurella’s girlfriend hits out at Gary Neville after Spain beat England in Euro 2024 final