England suffer Euro 2024 final heartbreak with late defeat to Spain – as it happened

Well, not the way English fans would have hoped the evening to have ended but a deserved win for the Spanish.

England’s wait for a men’s major title goes on but what a summer Gareth Southgate’s side have delivered.

That Jude Bellingham overhead kick; that Trent Alexander-Arnold penalty; that Ollie Watkins winner. All will live long in the memory.

It may have not ended in glory but another thrilling journey all the same. The fallout will continue long into next week but, for now, thanks for following our live coverage of the tournament – until next time…

The England boss refused to be drawn on his fate after the full-time whistle in Berlin, insisting it wasn’t the right time to discuss his future.

Southgate’s current contract runs until the end of the current calendar year, and before the final, it was reported that the FA were keen to keep the 53-year-old in the hot seat regardless of the outcome of the Berlin showdown.

But the crushing disappointment could see Southgate elect to bring the curtain down on his eight-year reign and take the decision out of the FA’s hands.

Click here to see an early look at the favourites should he step down.

The England boss refused to be drawn on his fate after the full-time whistle in Berlin, insisting it wasn’t the right time to discuss his future.

Southgate’s current contract runs until the end of the current calendar year, and before the final, it was reported that the FA were keen to keep the 53-year-old in the hot seat regardless of the outcome of the Berlin showdown.

But the crushing disappointment could see Southgate elect to bring the curtain down on his eight-year reign and take the decision out of the FA’s hands.

Click here to see an early look at the favourites should he step down.

‘I know these guys, Cole Palmer is a top player. He’s going to be a huge star in the next years,’ the Spaniard told ITV after the game.

‘Imagine what we have next. We are so happy. We made history but it doesn’t stop here. We have talent and we’ll keep going. It’s important to celebrate what we have done.’

‘To lose a final is incredibly tough,’ the England boss reflects in his post-match press conference.

‘Firstly, congratulations to Spain; they were the best team in the tournament, they were the best team tonight. Our players have been incredible and couldn’t have given any more in terms of their desire, effort and character.

‘I’m very proud of the group of players. They couldn’t have given me any more and they couldn’t have given the country any more. For me, the key was possession of the ball tonight and we didn’t have enough control.

‘So many of our players came into our camp having missed the end of the season. That physical toll was definitely an issue for us, but of course, that’s exacerbated when you don’t keep the ball earlier in the game. But we have to hold our hands up: Spain were better and that’s the long and short of it.’

Gareth Southgate confessed Harry Kane ‘has not quite reached the level we all would have hoped’ after he was hauled off after just 60 minutes of England’s Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain.

Read the England boss’ full thoughts on another sub-par night for his captain:

England will have their next shot at Euros glory in 2028 and the Three Lions will have the benefit of home support with the UK and Ireland hosting the tournament.

Safe to say England weren’t happy with their runner-up prize…

Spain won all seven matches at Euro 2024, becoming the first European nation to win seven matches at a major international tournament (Euros/World Cup) and just the second overall, along with Brazil at the 2002 World Cup.

Despite an underwhelming tournament, Kane took home a share of the golden boot with five other players.

The England captain finished the tournament with three goals, the same tally as Spain’s Dani Olmo, Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze, the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo, Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz and Germany’s Jamal Musiala.

With no clean sheet in the final, though, the golden glove award went to France’s Mike Maignan who kept four clean sheets in the tournament.

‘I suspect it will be Southgate’s last game. From where he took over and where they are now. There will be great disappointment at home,’ the former England striker said on BBC Sport.

‘Yes, we could have played more attacking football but they have got to the final. But when you are here, you have got to get over the line.

‘The reality is he got us to a final three years ago and got us to a final here, and hasn’t won. That will hurt him and maybe he will think it’s time for someone else.’

Another heartbreaking defeat for England in Berlin as Spain won their fourth Euros title.

Here is how the England’s players rated:

The England midfielder was not happy at full-time, booting a drinks container before heading to the subs bench.

‘I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that. I need to talk to the right people. It’s not for now,’ he tells ITV.

Speaking to BBC on the game, the Three Lions boss adds: ‘I think we’ve competed until the very end of the final. Today we didn’t keep possession quite well enough, especially when we defended well, they pressed us well and we had to get out of it, which we couldn’t and it wore us down.

‘It meant they had the best of the game. Both goals we were wide open It is fine margins but Spain were the best team in the tournament and they deserved it.’

Alvaro Morata hosts high the trophy!

Prince William was in the stands with his son George and consoled the England players at full-time.

King Charles, meanwhile, sent this message following the defeat.

‘Although victory may have eluded you this evening, nevertheless my wife and I join all my family in urging you and your support team to hold your heads high.

‘All those who have participated in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly despairing such a result can feel when the prize was so near – and will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain.

‘But please know that your success in reaching the European Championship final is a really great achievement in itself, and one that brings with it the pride of a nation which will continue to roar for the Three Lions today – and in the many triumphs which I have no doubt lie ahead. Charles R.’

The Manchester City midfielder came off at half-time but still played a huge part in this tournament – he takes home the Player of the Tournament prize.

Yamal, meanwhile, rather unsurprisingly picks up the Young Player of the Year award.

‘It’s hard to put into words how we’re all feeling right now,’ the England captain tells ITV. ‘Tough game. We did well to get back into the game and struggled to build on that. To concede late on is really tough to take.

‘We’ve been coming from behind all tournament, we’ve got it in the locker. We didn’t take the next step and win it.

‘In the first half, we struggled. We couldn’t keep the ball. Second half was better and we got the goal. We got caught with a cross and that’s the final.

‘It’s an opportunity missed. These finals aren’t easy to get to. You have to take it when it comes and we haven’t done it again. It’s extremely painful and it’ll hurt for a long time.

‘Gareth will go away and take time to decide. We wanted to win it for him.’

‘The best team won tonight and the best team won the tournament,’ Keane says on ITV Sport. ‘They’ve got a lovely mix, they’ve got pace, they’ve got youth, they’ve got experience. They’ve got talent and have worked their socks off.’

Spain, meanwhile, are only just getting started with the celebrations. Giorgio Chiellini brings out the trophy as the Spanish players go up to receive their medals.