England's heartbroken stars begin journey home after losing 2-1 to Spain in Sunday's Euro 2024 final - as Gareth Southgate waves farewell in Berlin

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Gareth Southgate's devastated England squad began their journey home on Monday morning after suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

Spanish substitute Mikel Oyarzabal struck in the 86th minute to break English hearts in Berlin, after Cole Palmer cancelled out Nico Williams' opener with a superb effort from outside the box.

Southgate waved farewell to the crowd as his Three Lions squad took their seats on the team bus to begin the journey home back to England, with the nation still awaiting their first major trophy since winning the World Cup in 1966.

In footage shared to social media by Sky News, Marc Guehi, Conor Gallagher and Harry Kane were the first to leave the hotel to board the bus at 9:34am UK time, shortly followed by Jarrod Bowen and Lewis Dunk.

Although the experience of losing a final with England is a new one for the likes of Guehi and Bowen, several Three Lions stars have done this disappointing journey home before, having lost on penalties in the previous European Championship final against Italy at Wembley three years ago.

Gareth Southgate's England squad began their journey home after losing the Euro 2024 final

Luke Shaw (left) and John Stones (right) appeared visibly devastated after Sunday's defeat

England suffered their second consecutive European Championship final defeat on Sunday

Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Kane were all part of the squad when England's Euro 2020 campaign fell short at the last hurdle. 

Despite showing a lack of fluidity and attacking impetus during their journey to Sunday's Euro 2024 final, England displayed plenty of spirit by coming from behind in all three of their knockout matches against Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

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The Three Lions were on the brink of a catastrophic exit against Slovakia at the last-16 stage before Bellingham's stunning overhead kick deep into stoppage time rescued the tie and inspired England to a 2-1 win in extra time thanks to a header from captain Kane.

Saka stepped up with a superb equaliser after Switzerland took the lead in the quarter-finals, taking the Three Lions to extra time before their triumphant win on penalties.

And in the last four, England needed to come from behind after Xavi Simons' seventh-minute opener for the Netherlands, equalising from the penalty spot through Kane before scoring a last-gasp winner courtesy of Ollie Watkins. 

A fourth comeback victory proved one too many for Southgate's side however, as England were unable to force extra time following Palmer's leveller in the 73rd minute. 

Stones, who was in tears after the final whistle, was seen leaving the hotel with his hood up, while stars including Gallagher and Watkins left with their heads bowed. 

Kieran Trippier, 33, played every match before the final and may not feature at the Euros again

Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka (left) and Declan Rice (right) leave the team hotel to board the bus

Southgate's future as the Three Lions boss remains in doubt after the Euro 2024 final defeat

Kieran Trippier, who did not start the final and could have played his last  European Championships at the age of 33, was also pictured leaving the hotel shortly before Arsenal stars Saka and Rice.

It could also be the final time Southgate boards a team bus with his Three Lions stars, with speculation surrounding the England manager's future.

Match of the Day presenter and former England star Gary Lineker called for the FA to move on from Southgate on Monday morning, urging that the governing body should go all-out for ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.