England ridiculed over long throw decision after equalising against Spain which Gareth Southgate admits was a 'turning point' in the heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat

England fans' hypothesis of the 'moment their Euro 2024 hopes died' was shared by Gareth Southgate, who admitted a poor long throw was the 'turning point' in their heartbreaking final defeat by Spain. 

The Three Lions were left empty-handed on Sunday night as goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal saw La Roja claim a record-fourth European Championship. 

But as the dust settles on the defeat, supporters have looked back at moment when England were in the ascendancy. For a few minutes, following Cole Palmer's 73rd-minute equaliser, Southgate's side were on top of their opponents. 

However, the decision by Kyle Walker to throw the ball back to John Stones - who, in turn, passed back to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford - has been marked at the point at which Spain wrestled back control of the tie. 

That assessment was shared by the England manager, who conceded that his team passed up on the chance to pile the pressure on Luis de la Fuente's side, though he insisted the main factor for their defeat was a 'lack of energy'. 

'There was one moment where we had a throw-in in their third of the pitch and we definitely had a opportunity to keep the ball in that area of the pitch but we played backwards.' Southgate said in his post-match press conference.

'And then there was a long period after that where we didn't get the ball again. There was a turning point if you like within that. 

'But I think in the main, at the end of the game, the physical issues that we had probably took their toll. There were four or five players that we ideally would have refreshed at that point. 

'We were very close before the goal went in. We were trying to get [Conor] Gallagher on for [Jude] Bellingham because he was suffering with cramp. In the end, I don't think we had the energy.'

Many England supporters voiced their astonishment at the sequence deep into the final stages of the encounter, with one adamant it was the moment hopes of claiming a historic triumph ended. 

'The moment it died… After our 73rd min equaliser, we had started to play it around for a period of sustained possession.' One supporter wrote on X. 'Then for some reason, Walker throws the ball way back to Stones, who passes it back to Pickford, who long balls it out for a goal kick to Spain.'

Another said: 'I remember being really annoyed at this.' 

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher even chimed in with the sarcastic response: 'Southgate told him to throw it back!!!!'

The Reds legend had been especially vocal after England's loss to Spain on Sunday night, with him laying the blame for the failure at the feet of the team's 'big players', who he believes simply didn't show up in Germany.

'Sven played 442, Fabio was too strict, Gareth is too defensive! Funny how it’s always on the manager isn’t it?!! The fact is our big players didn’t turn up in this tournament. And other tournaments going back years.'

'International football is not littered with top managers,' he said in response to a post lauding the work of Spain boss De la Fuente. 'It’s about the players. Ours froze in that first half, allowing the keeper to go long & not demanding the ball & showing for it.'

Carragher then replied to a post that showed that England's overall xG at the tournament was less than Croatia's, who exited the competition at the group stage.

'Exactly! Big players didn’t turn up!! We had about 60 per cent possession until the final because we played average teams. You blame Southgate for some of the best attacking players in Europe not being able to break average defences down???'

A dejected Southgate conceded that Spain were the best team in the tournament immediately after the clash,  but he refused to confirm whether he'll stay on as the Three Lions boss.

'I think they were the best team in the tournament.' He told the BBC. 'We didn’t keep the ball well enough but we were in it until the last. I am devastated for everyone, players have been incredible, I am so proud.

'We had a little bit of momentum. Big chance at the end to equalise as well but I’m not sure we did quite enough.

'Against Spain you have to keep the ball when you win it back. We were fine defensively in the first half but that takes it out your legs.

'There's no hiding from we have had a lot of issues. We have managed to deal with most of them but we have fallen short.'