England’s longstanding “58 years of hurt” continues as they fell short in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, leaving the 1966 World Cup as their only men’s trophy. Despite coming from behind in their previous four games, England couldn’t secure a victory, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring a late winner for Spain. This defeat marks England’s second consecutive European Championship final loss, following their penalty shootout defeat to Italy in 2021.
The lack of success in senior football tournaments abroad has been a recurring theme for England. Since their historic World Cup win in 1966, they have failed to reach another final in the following 29 men’s World Cups and European Championships. Near misses and heartbreaks have plagued England’s journey, including Diego Maradona’s infamous handball in 1986 and losses on penalties to Germany in 1990 and 1996. Even the years when they didn’t qualify for major tournaments or experienced early exits added to the frustration.
However, there were glimmers of hope when England reached the Euro 2020 final, held at Wembley Stadium. Though they took an early lead, they ultimately fell short once again, losing to Italy on penalties after extra time. Gareth Southgate and his team deserve credit for reaching two consecutive finals after a 55-year wait, but the disappointment remained.
Fortunately, England’s women’s team managed to secure success in the 2022 European Championship, defeating Germany 2-1 at Wembley. This victory provided a ray of light amidst the men’s team’s ongoing struggles.
England’s Euro 2024 campaign started slowly, with underwhelming performances in the group stage. Criticism of Southgate and calls for his dismissal emerged after disappointing draws against Denmark and Slovenia. However, they managed to secure a win over Serbia. The team faced elimination twice but managed to scrape through with dramatic late goals against Slovakia and the Netherlands.
Though their performances were not consistently outstanding, England’s ability to come from behind and secure crucial goals showcased their resilience. Players like Cole Palmer, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Ollie Watkins, and Bukayo Saka played pivotal roles in keeping England’s hopes alive throughout the tournament. Jordan Pickford’s crucial penalty save against Switzerland also contributed to their success.
Looking ahead, Gareth Southgate’s contract is set to expire at the end of the year, leaving uncertainty about his future as England manager. While Southgate remains noncommittal about his decision, he acknowledges the need for discussions with the relevant parties. England’s next matches in the Nations League against the Republic of Ireland and Finland will provide opportunities to regroup and continue their journey.
In conclusion, England’s quest for glory in international tournaments continues to elude them. Despite reaching consecutive finals in the European Championships, their failure to secure a victory highlights the ongoing challenges they face. The team’s ability to come from behind and their resilience in crucial moments provide hope for the future. As England looks ahead to upcoming matches and potential managerial changes, the nation waits eagerly for the day when they can finally end their “58 years of hurt” and secure another major trophy.