The Euros have come and gone after a frantic summer of international football, and England’s wait for silverware goes on after a second successive loss in the final with defeat to Spain in Berlin. Euro 2024 was a mixed bag for the Three Lions. One of the pre-competition favourites when betting on football, the side never really gathered momentum, culminating with the 2-1 loss to Spain in the final.
Gareth Southgate has since left his position as England manager, and fans are left wondering just what could have been. Many will take solace in that England lost to worthy victors in the Spanish, with La Roja winning all seven of their games under Luis de la Fuente, with the Three Lions perilous to stop their ruthless counterattacking inside Germany’s Olympiastadion.
In this article, we reflect on the entirety of England’s Euro 2024 campaign and assess where things went wrong. From the opening game to the final whistle in Berlin, here we break down England’s performance at Euro 2024.
The road to Germany
There was high expectations for this England team before the tournament had started. Despite losing to Italy in the final of Euro 2021 on penalties, the Three Lions were one of the favourites to go all the way in Germany, alongside the hosts and 2022 World Cup finalists France.
For the first time in his tenure as England manager, Southgate selected a side based entirely on form, omitting the likes of Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford, players who would regularly make his previous squads.
Harry Maguire was also sidelined by injury. Fans were excited to see this team in action, especially with players like Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo enjoying breakout seasons.
Group stages
The group stages began with an unassuming 1-0 win over Serbia – a clean sheet was a great way to get started, and Aleksandar Mitrović was kept relatively quiet. However, the following games left a lot to be desired.
Southgate opted for a rather cautious approach in draws against Denmark and Slovenia. It was enough to top the group but the lack of attacking impetuous began to frustrate fans, who questioned the side’s ability to perform in the latter stages of the competition, particularly captain Harry Kane, who had scored just one goal.
Knockout rounds
The knockouts looked as if they would be over quickly as England stumbled through the round of 16 against Slovakia. The underdogs played with no fear and pressed high against an England side clearly lacking confidence. After taking the lead, it would look as if they would pull off an upset until Jude Bellingham scored an overhead kick in the final seconds to take the game to extra time.
Kane scored the winner to secure progression with a 2-1 victory, but extra time was once again required in the last eight, with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland – Bukayo Saka salvaging the game with a well-taken finish. The Three Lions won their third shootout under Southgate, with all of England’s players putting the ball in the back of the net from 12 yards.
The semi-final
The Netherlands would await England in the semi-final and fly into a quick lead through Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Xavi Simons. Kane pulled his side level with a penalty 11 minutes later, and this allowed England to dominate possession.
The game became cagey in its dying embers until an unlikely source snatched the winner. Ollie Watkins, who had seen limited minutes throughout the tournament, hit a trademark finish – one he had executed multiple times throughout a wonderful season at Aston Villa – to send England to their second straight final.
The final
The final in Berlin saw England outclassed by a Spanish side that managed to blend potential with proficiency, with many of their players showing experience beyond their years.
Nico Williams found himself free at the back post twice, scoring Spain’s opener just two minutes into the second half. Cole Palmer gave England hope with an equaliser but this was quickly ruled out by more complacent defending, this time Mikel Oyarzabal scoring the winner for La Roja.
Overall, the tournament represented another stumbling block for England. It felt as if Southgate never knew his best team and that was demonstrated by too many lacklustre performances. It will be interesting to see who is in charge ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
