‘Utterly despairing’: World reacts to England’s Euros heartbreak
The world has reacted with glee to England’s heartbreaking loss in the Euros final, with fans calling for the abolition of an iconic mantra.
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It seems there’s nothing the world loves more than England falling agonisingly short of sporting glory, and so it has proved once again after their latest heartbreak.
Spain claimed a thrilling 2-1 victory in the Euros final on Monday morning (AEST) to become the first nation to win the Euros four times.
After a scoreless first half, Nico Williams opened the scoring for Spain in the 47th minute as both sides began to take some chances in the second half.
Substitute Cole Palmer equalised for England in the 73rd minute and just as it looked like the match was headed for extra time, Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal scored the matchwinner from close range in the 86th minute.
The heartbreaking loss means one of the most iconic droughts in world sport drags on as England’s 58-year wait for a trophy continues.
England’s men’s team has never won the Euros and last won the World Cup in 1966.
Spain won all seven of their matches throughout the Euros and managed to win the final despite star Manchester City midfielder Rodri being forced off with an apparent leg injury at halftime.
Lamine Yamal, who just celebrated his 17th birthday, was named the young player of the tournament.
Photos of Yamal being bathed by Lionel Messi as a baby in 2007 went viral throughout the tournament and will make any football fan feel old.
This baby has more Euro titles than England pic.twitter.com/oemz3tlDBq
— Oliver Caffrey (@ollycaffrey) July 14, 2024
Meanwhile, the legacy of England manager Gareth Southgate is up for debate, after he led England to consecutive Euros finals, as well as a semi-final and quarterfinal at the past two World Cups.
Southgate became England’s manager in 2016 and the final may well have been his last match in charge, with his contract set to end in December.
England great Gary Neville said on ITV the whole country has been left “absolutely devastated”.
“Our players are absolutely devastated and I remember four tournaments ago when they played Croatia in the World Cup semi-final I said, ‘I wonder if you will be here again lads’ and they have been here again and again and I have no words for them as they must be absolutely devastated,” he said.
“The fans here behind the goal are absolutely devastated, this feels like one time too many for us, it just feels like, how long can this go on for?”
English legends Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker both said they expect Southgate to stand down from his position.
Lineker said on the BBC: “I suspect Gareth Southgate may have had enough. It is a tough, gruelling job”.
Shearer said: “The reality is he got us to a final three years ago and got us to a final here, and hasn’t won. That will hurt him and maybe he will think it’s time for someone else.”
Neville said Southgate’s explanations for his team’s defeat weren’t good enough.
“We can focus on a lot of things, but Southgate’s answer on how we did not keep the ball well enough should be the title of the England book,” he said on Sky Sports.
“Every single England manager has said the same thing, every single England player has felt the same thing because we have lived it out there on the pitch and our legs have gone and we end up dying on our feet in the latter part of games where the other team have got stronger and it is repeat, rinse and repeat.”
It was a banner day of sporting action for Spain, with Carlos Alcaraz clinching his fourth grand slam title with a straights set win against Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.
After blitzing Djokovic, the 21-year-old Spaniard was tweeting up a storm during the Euros final and posted after his country’s win: “We’ll have to celebrate, right?”
World reacts to England’s pain
It’s safe to say football supporters around the world reacted to England’s heartbreaking loss with glee.
One fan wrote on X: “England making it to the final just to lose for a second consecutive time. This is what happiness is. This is what football is all about. This is the beautiful game.”
Host Simon Thomas said: “Can we now, once and for all, retire ‘it’s coming home’ from all future conversations around England’s men.”
— Lily Allen (@lilyallen) July 14, 2024
Frustrated England fans bemoaned the fact their side went into their shells after Palmer’s equaliser.
The Athletic’s James Pearce agreed: “England’s approach after Palmer’s equaliser was absolutely ridiculous. You’ve got the initiative. Why drop off like that and invite pressure?”
Tom Bellingham wrote: “There’s no team more terrible than England after they score.”
Paddy Power’s account posted: “England should have known better. Universal law states that Harry Kane must never, ever win a football tournament.”
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan said: “The better team won .. But England gave it everything .. Sometimes you come up against better teams .. that’s sport ..”
Australians, never shy to rejoice at England’s pain, were quick to react to the old enemy’s loss with glee and called for the infamous “It’s coming home” chant to be thrown out.
CODE Sports’ Daniel Cherny said: “60 years of hurt is a much neater song.”
The ABC’s Brett Sprigg joked: “Football’s coming casa.”
AFL.com.au’s Riley Beveridge said England would be cursing themselves after “the easiest run to Berlin and then a Rodri-less Spain in the final.”
Sports commentator Daniel Garb said: “Spain’s ability to create in tight spaces always loomed as the difference & so it was for a 4th Euros title. What a footballing nation.
“After many failures, England again have a tournament to be proud of. But one of the more famous droughts in world sport continues.”
‘Utterly despairing’: Royal Family responds
In a letter addressed to Southgate minutes after the full-time whistle, King Charles wrote: “Although victory may have eluded you this evening, nevertheless my wife and I join all my family in urging you and your support team to hold your heads high.
“All those who have participated in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly despairing such a result can feel when the prize was so near — and will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain.
“But please know that your success in reaching the European Championship final is a really great achievement in itself, and one that brings with it the pride of a nation which will continue to roar for the Three Lions today — and in the many triumphs which I have no doubt lie ahead.”
Originally published as ‘Utterly despairing’: World reacts to England’s Euros heartbreak
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