English soccer fans in Sydney go from elation to devastation in wild scenes as they watch their team lose nail-biting Euro 2024 final

English footy fans have ridden the rollercoaster of the Euro 2024 final around Australia, with the ecstasy and agony of every twist and turn painted on their faces.

Ex-pats turned out in their thousands in venues in major capital cities including Sydney and Melbourne for the 5am kick-off, hoping England could snap pits 58-year drought in major international tournaments. 

Ultimately, they were left shattered. 

England lamented plenty of missed opportunities in their Euro 2024 final loss to Spain on Sunday night.

Gareth Southgate's team endured a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at the Olympiastadion, with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal. The Real Sociedad forward scored in the 86th minute, securing Spain's record fourth title.

The Three Lions had a chance to equalise shortly after but were denied by exceptional goalkeeping, last-ditch defending, and a missed shot from Declan Rice.

This defeat prolongs England's trophy drought, now stretching 58 years since their last major tournament win at the 1966 World Cup.

Some expats living in Australia were gracious in defeat.

'Spain kept the pressure on, we didn't, so at the end of the day best team won,' one fan based in Western Australia posted.

'We deserved to lose. They couldn't keep hold of the ball for more than 2 seconds, appeared lethargic and the Spanish team were all over us,' added another.

Others were filthy with the latest letdown.

'Typical England get a nations hopes up then bottle it when it matters,' a Victorian-based ex-pat posted.

Another expat took the opportunity to fire back at Australians making fun of the English title-scoring drought.

'Aussies a complete embarrassment at Union, didn't make the Semi's in the cricket and laughable at football (soccer to you halfwits), yet have a pop at England. Priceless, he posted.

'Could be worse ... could be a Socceroo lol,' said another.

There were also plenty of 'moral victory' comments, stemming back to comments made by English batter Harry Brook during last year's contentious Ashes series that the hosts could 'make it a moral victory' with a win in the fifth and final Test.

'I wonder how Piers Morgan is doing,' one Aussie asked cheekily.

Spain secured a record fourth European Championship title with the victory, marking their third win in the last five tournaments. 

They previously claimed victory in 1964, 2008, and 2012, with their recent successes falling around their 2010 World Cup win, during the golden era of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, and Andres Iniesta.

England was trying to win their first men's international title since the 1966 World Cup but narrowly missed out in their first final on foreign soil. 

Following their penalty shootout defeat to Italy three years ago, they became the only team to lose consecutive Euros finals.

Captain Harry Kane, now 30, still seeks his first major trophy despite a prolific goal-scoring career. This latest disappointment comes after another trophyless season with Bayern Munich.

'I think Spain were the best team in the tournament,' England boss Gareth Southgate said.

'We didn't keep the ball well enough.

'Spain press well and you have to keep the ball when you win it back. In the end, that's the bit that takes more out of your legs.

'I'm devastated for everyone. We have just fallen a little short.

'We had a little bit of momentum in the game at that point [when Cole Palmer equalised]. There's a big chance at the end to equalise too but across the 90 minutes, I'm not sure we did enough.

'I think the players will take enormous credit for getting us to where we did but when you're as close as that, you have to take your chances.

'They have represented the shirt with pride and haven't been beaten until the very end. I just think tonight Spain had more control of the game.'