By Jason Burt in Berlin
The pain goes on. And on. Fifty-eight years and still it goes on for England. Gareth Southgate had spoken about wanting to win “so much that it hurts” but hurt is what England were left with and they can have no real complaint as Spain won the European Championship.
For Southgate this is probably the end as England manager. He hoped, he prayed, he desperately craved another kind of resolution, a first trophy for his country since 1966, and they were inches away from forcing extra time with Marc Guéhi’s header cleared off the line in the 90th minute after another by Declan Rice was spectacularly saved. It just would not go in.
There were inches also in Spain’s winning goal which was, just, onside. Small margins? We have heard it before in sport and here it was again and maybe another was the fact that Spain had one more day to prepare after playing their semi-final on Tuesday.
If England have been lucky, or had made their own fortune, this is when it ran out. Southgate had promised a night to remember. Instead it was one to forget. They ran out of energy, ideas and fatigue caught up on them.
At the final whistle Southgate stood motionless on his own in his technical area as his players slumped to the turf. It was a tough image to take. His body language said it all.
England have come from behind in the last-16, the quarter-final, the semi-final but the final proved a step too far. They have lost two successive Euros finals – the first nation to ever suffer that – and while they dug deep into the resilience, the late goals, the impact substitutions, all the factors that have got them this far they were not enough. Not this time.
Spain were the best team at the Euros. There is no doubt about that. They won all seven of their games and their young wingers – Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal – are simply wonderful. Spain knocked out the hosts Germany and the favourites France and they have beaten England and have now won their last four major tournament finals. England just craved one. Just one. Just this once, surely?
The delayed Euro 2020 final felt like their chance. In Russia 2018, at the last World Cup and here they lost against better teams. It opens up the debate as to whether Southgate was positive enough in this tournament but it should be remembered that in 14 ties at the Euros they have lost only in a shoot-out and the last five minutes of the 14th game.
And yet plenty of the criticisms hold some validity even if they have been far too subjective and personal. Such is the English way. History will be kinder to Southgate who has restored pride, brought back belief but has not yet brought home a trophy. He may never do so. We will know in the next few days what his decision will be. It will be sad if he goes.
There will also be questions asked of Harry Kane who lasted just an hour and was fortunate to stay on the pitch that long. Whatever the protestations he just did not look fit as he was substituted for the fourth game in a row, and five times in all, and is still without a trophy.
England looked better without Kane but the record goalscorer, who has given so much, should not be chastised. At the same time Kyle Walker struggled with both Spain goals and it would be no surprise if the 34-year-old vice-captain finally retires from international football.
The inquest after the Spanish inquisition will involve questions as to why England did not keep the ball – they had the most possession in the tournament but not in the final – while they became increasingly ragged defensively, through the midfield, because of the pressure they were under. Guéhi and John Stones were holding it together.
Remarkably the final turned on the substitution of Spain’s most important player, Rodri, who went on to be named the player of the tournament, but was taken off at half-time. He was replaced by Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi but far from weakening Spain it made them more fluid as they changed the balance of their midfield.
England could not cope. Were they caught cold? Was Southgate outdone tactically? Either way they fell behind. Luke Shaw, making his first England start in a year, coped with Yamal but it did not last. Southgate had switched formations, moving away from the back three to deal with Spain’s wingers, but that did not really work.
The opening goal was a poor one. England were cut open with Yamal sending the ball from right to left to pick out Williams. Walker had been sucked; Williams had time and England were behind.
It took them too long to respond. It could have been over. Dani Olmo, Álvaro Morata and Williams all went close before Jordan Pickford twice denied Yamal. The 17-year-old was suddenly a frightening threat.
Southgate made the changes that – again – effected a change. Kane’s replacement Ollie Watkins improved things but it was another substitute, Cole Palmer, who drew England level as he calmly steered home at 22-yard shot after a fine run by Bukayo Saka and a clever lay-off by Jude Bellingham.
And this is where questions have to also be asked of the players. It felt like the momentum should have been with England but Spain seized it back. Southgate sensed it, he readied two more substitutes in Kieran Trippier – to replace Shaw – and Conor Gallagher – for the tiring Bellingham – but before he could get them on there was the decisive goal.
England were wide open again as Spain switched play with Marc Cucurella having time and space to deliver a low cross that substitute Mikel Oyarzabal prodded home. Southgate immediately turned to Ivan Toney but, this time, there would be no comeback and maybe no way back for the manager. For England there is hope for the future, with this squad of players, but, for now, even more hurt. England are going home. For them, football is not.
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