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4 months ago
20
It was more heartbreak for England in a European Championship final after Mikel Oyarzabal's 86th minute strike handed the trophy to Spain with a 2-1 loss for the Three Lions.
It was Spain who struck the first blow when Lamine Yamal found Nico Williams to slot home.
It was England's changes that again brought them into the game, with Chelsea's Cole Palmer producing a brilliant strike to pull the Three Lions level.
But Spain recovered well and it was a substitute of their own, Oyarzabal, who sealed the victory and broke English hearts for the second European Championship in a row.
But how did England's players perform during the Euro 2024 final? Mail Sport's CRAIG HOPE runs the rule over the Three Lions.
England suffered more Euros heartbreak as they were defeated by a superior Spain side
After a nervy first-half, Nico Williams gave Spain the lead early into the second-half
Chelsea's Cole Palmer produced a brilliant equaliser to keep England's dream alive
Mikel Oyarzabal though crushed England hopes with his 86th minute winner for Spain
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford 7
No chance with either goal and was left exposed by those in front of him. Made a big save to keep it at 1-0 and it was his quick-thinking throw that started move for equaliser. Huge stop to deny Yamal late on. Kicking suspect at times, but unlucky to be on losing side.
Kyle Walker 5
A couple of early scares when Williams threatened, setting tone for a testing night. The winger then scored from Walker’s domain early in second half and he failed to stop cross for winner. Kept at it and did win some duels, but not a great night all told.
John Stones 7.5
Outstanding first half - he was Terry Butcher when needed and Rio Ferdinand, too. Huge block to deny Williams. Had confidence to carry forward and looked a real class act. His best performance of Euros, even if second half was more difficult.
Kyle Walker had a testing night with Williams scoring on his side of the pitch before failing to stop a cross for the winner
John Stones was excellent in the first-half and made a crucial challenge on Nico Williams
Marc Guehi had a disappointing end to what was a good Euros for the defender
Marc Guehi 5
Needed Stones to bail him out after one misjudged offside trap and it was same again after break when Stones cleared from line after Morata got wrong side of Guehi. He then failed to get across Oyarzabal for winner. A disappointing end to good Euros for him.
Luke Shaw 6.5
Imposed himself on Yamal from the off and did not give teen star an inch first half. Despite this being first start since February, he also had energy to raid forward. But he was caught out for Williams goal when pass was spun inside and Yamal broke free to assist.
Kobbie Mainoo 6
He tried to make things happen, they just didn’t really come off. Spain’s midfield swarmed him and his team-mates. Still looked more mobile than others when he was withdrawn, but quality wasn’t there on this occasion.
Declan Rice 5
Struggled to cope on ball when Spain pressed and he became sloppy in possession. One hacked clearance second half nearly leading to a goal summed up a poor night. He was nearly the hero when header was saved late on, but he didn’t produce the big performance his team needed.
Declan Rice struggled to cope on the ball when Spain pressed and was sloppy on the ball
Bukayo Saka 7
Again the best of the attacking starters. He has the intent others just do not show at times and he played a key part in Palmer goal, driving down the right. Finished the Euros strongly and can be proud of his efforts the last three games.
Phil Foden 5
Was lucky when poor pass early on did not lead to Spain goal. After a good semi-final, this was back to the Foden who has failed to impact. Careless touches were so unlike him. Has not looked like Premier League Player of the Year all tournament. Poor.
Things didn't work out for Phil Foden during the final and he was hooked off in the second-half
Jude Bellingham 6.5
Asked to play on the left and it brought about more touches first half, during which he gave Carvajal a couple of problems. Stepped up again after break and went close to scoring before supplying cute layoff for Palmer goal. Still, his very best? Nowhere near.
Harry Kane 4
So immobile and, like every game this tournament, clearly not fit. Heavy touch and lunge saw him booked - any higher it would have been red - and he lost ball far too often. He was rightly subbed after after an hour. Sad to say, but he was a passenger.
Harry Kane was ineffective up front, was booked and was subbed off after 61 minutes
Substitutes
Ollie Watkins (on for Kane 61) 5
A better touch and he is clear on goal for possible equaliser in 90th minute. Unlike Dortmund, he did not take that chance here.
Cole Palmer (on for Mainoo 70) 7
A superb finish to haul his country level, and it makes you wonder what he might have done with more time on the pitch this tournament. He immediately improves the team.
Ivan Toney (on for Foden 89) N/A -
Presence at late corner from which England nearly scored. Should have been brought on sooner.
Manager - Gareth Southgate 5.5
His changes sparked the improvement to get England level but, before that, the attacking unit again looked too rigid. His team did not play poorly, but nor were they at their best. Spain were the deserved winners.
He has stuck by under-performing players, and they let him down here.
Cole Palmer made an instant impact off the bench with his stunning equaliser for England
It was more disappointment for Gareth Southgate in the final of the European Championship
Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon 7; Carvajal 7, Le Normand 6 (Nacho 83), Laporte 6.5, Cucurella 7; Rodri 7 (Zubimendi 46, 7), Fabian 7; Yamal 7, Olmo 8, Williams 8.5; Morata 6 (Oyarzabal 68, 7.5)
Manager: Luis de la Fuente 8
Referee: Francois Letexier (France) 7
Gave yellows for first-half challenges by Kane and Olmo that were naughty, but he got them right. They weren’t the only tasty tackles and Letexier did well to calm and control the contest. A good game.
English (US)