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 two consecutive European Championship finals after going down 2-1 to Spain in Berlin on Sunday night.
Cole Palmer scored a brilliant equaliser to cancel out Nico Williams’ opener shortly after the break, but Mikel Oyarzabal’s 86th-minute goal sealed a deserved victory for Spain.
England’s lack of fluency 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 maintain 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 have given everyone an incredible evening. They couldn’t have given more in terms of effort, desire and character,” Southgate said.
‘Tonight we fell short, we didn’t keep possession of the ball well. In fact, we defended well in the first half, we limited their chances, but we didn’t know how to play well against the pressure.
‘We didn’t really use the ball well until we were down by a goal, and then we had a decent period in the game.
‘We managed to get the draw, but I think the physical toll from the problems we had coming into the tournament, the extra time and then tonight, having so little possession of the ball, ultimately that took its toll on us.
‘I think that was part of the reason why at the end, you know, the legs started to fail and you started to make mistakes.
“But, you know, the players have been playing until the 85th minute, when it was the last game. They have been incredible, really.
“I have it very clear, the game, as I said, for me the key was possession of the ball tonight and we did not have enough control.”
In a separate interview with the BBC, Southgate said: ‘I think we didn’t keep possession well enough today.
Especially when we defended well, they press you very well and you have to get out of that pressure and we couldn’t 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 largely deserved to win.’
MORE : Dani Carvajal misses Euro 2024 celebrations after mocking Bukayo Saka
MORE: Harry Kane responds to injury claims following England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain
MORE: Marc Cucurella’s girlfriend lashes out at Gary Neville after Spain beat England in Euro 2024 final
