England have lost 2-1 in the 2024 European Championship final against Spain thanks to a late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal.
Spain took the lead through a well worked Nico Williams goal before Cole Palmer struck a vital equaliser.
However, it was heartbreak for the Three Lions as Mikel Oyarzabal struck a decisive blow to hand La Roja the trophy in Berlin.
Here’s five things we learned from the game.
Luke Shaw excels for England
Despite not starting a competitive game since Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road in February, Luke Shaw was excellent for England.
The left-back had the tough task of dealing with Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who has just turned 17 but Shaw did a very good job.
Shaw was excellent defensively and the United left-back dealt very well with the threat of the Barcelona teenager, despite Yamal getting an assist for Williams’ opener.
Harry Kane struggles to make an impact
Despite being the joint top scorer in the tournament for England, Harry Kane had a frustrating night in Berlin as he could not get the better of Aymeric Laporte and Robin Le Normand.
Kane has scored three times but the Bayern Munich forward struggled to get involved in the game and his touched looked to have deserted him.
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker struggled against the Spanish side and that has been a theme of this tournament in Germany.
England cut open for opening goal in Berlin
England fans would have been perhaps a tiny bit positive about the fact that Manchester City’s Rodri was substituted at half-time.
However, this joy for fans of the Three Lions was short lived as Spain cut England open thanks to Yamal’s lay off to Williams, who was in acres of space, to fire past Jordan Pickford.
Williams, alongside Yamal, have been two of the best players in the tournament in Germany and the Athletic Bilbao winger, in particular, showed that in abundance.
Cole Palmer makes key impact off the bench
After having one of the best individual seasons in the Premier League, it was perhaps fate that Chelsea’s Cole Palmer would make an impact in Berlin.
The former City midfielder was brought on with England struggling and the Chelsea star fired in a cool, calm and delightful finish to swing things back in the Three Lions’ favour.
Southgate should be credited for the substitutions he has made and the Three Lions boss got it spot on once again. However, it wasn’t enough.
England heartbroken at the death
Despite Palmer scoring a vital goal to draw the Three Lions level, Spain snatched the victory much to England’s dismay.
Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal was brought on for the second half and the Real Sociedad forward struck the decisive blow with minutes to go.
It was a devastating blow for the Three Lions but it is Spain who have won the 2024 European Championships in Berlin.
The post Five things learned from England's defeat against Spain: Man United ace excels but England suffer heartbreak appeared first on HITC.
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