ENGLAND crashed to a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat in the Euro 2024 Final against Spain in Berlin last night.
Goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal destroyed Gareth Southgate’s dream of ending 58 years of trophyless hurt.
His battlers fought their way to an historic first foreign final but were crushed by hot favourites Spain and stars including 17-year-old wonderboy Lamine Yamal.
And Southgate looked certain to quit last night after taking England agonisingly close to glory at two successive Euros finals – but ultimately failing to bring it home.
Prince William, his 10-year-old son Prince George and soccer-made PM Sir Keir Starmer watched glum-faced as the drama unfolded at Berlin’s historic Olympic Stadium last night.
Nico Williams caught England napping when he put Spain ahead just 70 seconds after the restart.
Gareth Southgate’s side had grown in confidence as the first half wore on, but had to come from behind.
Jude Bellingham showed his quality to create an opening at the edge of the box but flashed his left-foot shot wide.
Cole Palmer scored just seconds after coming on for England to make it level.
But then Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal scored to put Spain ahead at 2-1.
England fans trudged home in misery as a huge soccer knees-ups across the nation fell flat – but heads were held high thanks to the incredible achievement of Southgate’s squad.
At least half of the 71,000-seat stadium was emblazoned with a sea of red and white banners as more than 30,000 English fans inside sang their hearts out for the lads.
The stars will now regroup and refine their skills in the quest for soccer’s biggest prize at the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
England’s grim record was extended to at least 60 years as lionhearts across the nation were left to rue what might have been yet again.
Wags rode an emotional roller coaster in the VIP seats as their brave men fell at the final fence.
They included Harry Kane’s wife Katie and Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan Davison, who watched glum-faced as hopes of glory were scuppered.
Champagne was kept on ice as the girls commiserated with their partners at an after match bash at the swanky Ritz Carlton Hotel in the centre of the German capital.
Dignified and proud Southgate – in his trademark open-necked casual polo shirt – walked to salute the crowd as players stood and applauded their travelling army.
Exhausted stars who have played their hearts out in seven tough games in the past month hugged each other and fought back tears as they lined up to collect runners-up medals.
Fans who had paid thousands to each Berlin by planes, trains, cars and camper vans trudged away from the stadium to drown their sorrows last night.
Accountant Jonathan Lewis, 54, from Covington, Cambs, who drove 13 hours to Berlin on Saturday, said: “It’s so upsetting to get so close but not quite go all the way yet again.
“It’s still not coming home after all these years and it’s hard to take.
“But we’re proud of the team coming this far, and, unlike after Euro 2020, there must be no scapegoats.”
Tournament veteran Simon Harris, 66, a retired finance worker, from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, said:”I’m gutted. Spain were so strong and we didn’t have enough to beat them on the night.
“I’m still pleased to have come this far. Every player gave their their all.”
“We’ve been getting closer and now it’s time to push on and win the World Cup in 2026.”
“Southgate has been a fantastic servant to his country and, despite the defeat, he should still be knighted.”
Engineer Adam Shinners, 35, of Bolton said: “I am devastated. I’ve been to every game in the tournament and have seen how we have improved I really thought we could do it.
“I felt we had enough in the tank to beat the Spanish. It wasn’t to be but they can all hold their heads high. They did the country proud.”
Max Barkley, 19, of Manchester, said: “I went to the last Euro final against Italy and this is the same feeling.
“It’s double disappointment.
“To their credit, Spain have been the best team in the tournament but it’s devastating to see them lose two finals.
“I do see the improvement in the team and I feel like we’ve changed the way we play.
“So there are some positives – we’ve become a more footballing side.
“But the overwhelming feeling is disappointment because we haven’t won a trophy again.
His pal Ollie Mortlock, 18, said: “Palmer gave us hope but we didn’t do enough.
“Spain controlled the game really and it just didn’t happen for us over the 90 minutes.”
England’s team – saluted for its rich diversity by ex- England star Paul Ince in yesterday’s Sun – were beaten in an iconic German stadium forever linked to Nazi race hate.
The Olympic Stadium was built by Adolf Hitler to showcase the invincibility of the Aryan race when Germany hosted the 1936 Olympic Games after he seized power.
But the evil fuhrer could only watch in dismay as black US track star Jesse Owens won four gold medals to steal the show.
The stadium was remodelled and had a 71,000-seat capacity for last night’s final but kept the historic stone columns harking back to its dark past.
A victory parade planned through central London as part of a national day to mark the longed-for tournament win was hastily cancelled last night.
