July 15th 2024.
Gareth Southgate and the England team were once again left with a feeling of disappointment as they narrowly missed out on a win. The start of their second consecutive European Championship final was nothing like their last. The chaotic atmosphere of Wembley in 2021, with fans breaking through turnstiles and an overwhelming sense of excitement, was replaced by a more calculated, cautious approach.
Before the match, there was much talk about England taking inspiration from Spain's successful tactics from 2008 to 2012. However, it was ironic to see Southgate's team, known for their traditional English style, often dropping back into a 4-4-2 formation when they didn't have possession. It was as English as a cup of tea and a quiet evening in Stoke.
There were moments where defenders John Stones and Marc Guehi had to make crucial blocks, and even Spain's Aymeric Laporte had to intervene, but overall, the beginning of the match was relatively calm. Both teams seemed unwilling to recklessly kick the ball away and instead focused on maintaining possession and patiently waiting for opportunities to arise.
Despite the pre-game talk about England playing a defensive and unexciting style, they proved to have the skill and technique to match Spain. Players like Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo, and Bukayo Saka showcased their ability to keep possession even in tight spaces, just as well as any player in a red shirt. Although the majority of the first half was spent defending, when England did have possession, they were not afraid to keep the ball and play their game.
There was a stark contrast in the age and experience of the two teams. The media had made a big deal about Spain's young player, Lamine Yamal, and the fact that it had been a while since Luke Shaw had started for England. It was tempting to wonder just how young Yamal was when Shaw last stood for the national anthem. Perhaps he was only 12 or 14 years old, or maybe he wasn't even born yet. Regardless, Shaw showed great respect towards him and held his own in their early battles.
However, the second half was a different story. Spain came out strong, with Yamal and Nico Williams combining for the opening goal, and their team threatening to dismantle England's defense. It seemed like all the control and order that England had established in the first half had suddenly disappeared. But as we have seen before, Southgate's substitutions proved to be effective, with Cole Palmer scoring the equalizer. However, it was Spain who had the final say and ultimately deserved the win.
This may have been Southgate's last game in charge, but for the England team and their fans, the agony of waiting for a major tournament win continues. They will have to regroup and come back stronger in the future.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
