England’s tournament heartache continued tonight after they were defeated by Spain in the final of Euros 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s men were unable to make history as they lost 2-1 in Berlin tonight, as the Three Lions once again missed out on glory.
Millions of fans had packed into bars and pubs in hope of seeing the England finally claim their first victory since the World Cup of 1966.
Super sub Cole Palmer had given the nation belief again after he struck a brilliant equaliser in the 73rd-minute, after going behind at the start of the second half.
It sent bars and pubs into wild celebrations, with beers launched into the air as fans sung ‘it’s coming come’.
But the hopes and expectations of a nation came crashing down after Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal slotted the winning goal past Jordan Pickford in the 86th minutes.
Crestfallen fans were left in disbelief and holding their heads in their hands after England came agonisingly close into pushing the game into extra time.
In Berlin, Prince William and Prince George were visibly stunned as they watched from the stadium.
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England were left heartbroken once again after losing in the final of Euro 2024 having come so close to winning their first major title since 1966
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Prince William and Prince George were also stunned as the Three Lions lost 2-1 to Spain
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England fans at London’s Boxpark were left crushed by the Three Lions’ latest loss in a final
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Jordan Pickford was left looking dejected having lost 2-1 to Spain
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Cole Palmer, who lifted hopes again after securing a 73rd-minute equaliser could not contain his emotions as England were beaten in the final of the Euros again.
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England fans were left heartbroken by the loss during the Euro finals to Spain
The defeat echoed England’s bitter loss at Euro 2020, when the squad came in as runners-up.
But in a touching message, the Prince of Wales told the team ‘we’re all still so proud of you’ after they lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
William, who is the president of the FA, said: ‘It just wasn’t meant to be.’
Spain claimed a 2-1 win while England fell at the last hurdle for a second European Championship final in succession.
The prince said on social media: ‘This time it just wasn’t meant to be. We’re all still so proud of you. Onwards. W’
Fans watching the latest defeat were left dejected – with most at the Boxpark Croydon, in south-east London, having left before the final whistle went.
Fraser Mullen, 40, from Redhill in Surrey, said: ‘It didn’t feel like the same old England. We just came up against a better team.
‘We defended really well. Jordan Pickford was outstanding. We made Spain look really average.
‘It doesn’t feel as bad as it has in the past. The talent is there. They just need to do a bit more next time.’
A small number of England fans lingered at the match screening at London’s O2 Arena after the final ended, staring in disbelief as they watched their team comforting each other.
Several St George’s flags were abandoned on the seats as the 15,000-strong crowd departed, leaving crushed and empty drinks cups all over the floor.
England fans filed out of the fanzone at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin after the final whistle, while Spanish fans stayed to celebrate.
Rhys Love, 19, who had travelled to Berlin with friend Sam Kelsall from Guildford, Surrey, said: ‘It’s disappointing but the people aren’t sad.
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Heartbroken England fans held their heads in their hands moments after Spain scored the winning goal
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Others appeared to cry as friends comforted them. Pictured are dejected supporters at Croydon’s Boxpark
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The agony was felt equally on the pitch, with Gareth Southgate seen consoling a heartbroken Jude Bellingham
‘It would have been brilliant but it wasn’t to be.
‘Our trip was quite cheap compared to what some people spent to be here.’
Mr Kelsall, 19, added: ‘It was worth it to be here for that goal.’
Speaking after the loss, former England legend Alan Shearer said: ‘It hurts… It’s really disappointing.’
Earlier, Phil Foden had England’s first real shoot on goal sending a hopeful nation into overdrive after his chip at goal was stopped by the Spanish keeper before the end of the first half.
It was by and large the best opportunity in a cagey and scrappy opening 45 minutes, which saw England skipper Harry Kane getting a yellow card for a poorly timed tackle against Fabian Ruiz.
But it was heartache for the Three Lions with Spain taking just little over a minute of the second half to open the scoring.
Spain’s two wonderkid wingers combined to send Spaniards across the world wild, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal snapping a pass to Nico Williams who smashed it across Jordan Pickford.
The goal left millions of England supporters stunned, with fans packing out pubs and streets groaning in despair as they held their heads in their hands.
But it sent Spanish supporters into a frenzy in Berlin, where about 50,000 England supporters had travelled to watch the game.
An announcer on stage at the fanzone at Brandenburg Gate in the German capital reminded crowds to ‘be kind to each other’.
She said: ‘This is a football match, this is not a war.’
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Nico Williams of Spain scores his team’s first goal whilst under pressure from Kyle Walker of England
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The ball blasted past Pickford sending Spanish supporters into a frenzy
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The goal left millions of England fans heartbroken and holding their head in their hands
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England fans at Millennium Square in Leeds react to the game which saw the Spanish claiming first blood in the opening minute of the second half
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Stunned supporters were left in disbelief after the opening goal which put England behind
One man was stretchered out of the crowd towards the end of the first half of the game after he appeared to suffer a medical episode.
In the Berlin fanzone, Spanish fans cheered, waved flags and threw drinks in the air after their country scored.
Groups of police officers holding riot helmets gathered to the side of the crowds as the second-half started.
England fans at the O2 Arena groaned and held their heads in their hands in despair as Spain scored the first goal of the Euros final.
Supporters at the venue in London clutched their pints and were biting their nails nervously as they watched a replay of Spain’s goal on the 16-metre screen.
One spectator at Boxpark Croydon threw a large Gareth Southgate mask onto the stage after Spain scored the opening goal.
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England fans were devastated as the Spanish appeared the strongest team in the second half
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Fans are pictured at the Boxpark in Croydon as they watched the drama unfold tonight
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Spain’s first goal sent their supporters wild, as they screamed and cheered
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Spain’s Nico Williams celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the final match
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Williams celebrates with Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal after scoring the opening goal
The crowd broke into a brief chant of ‘I’m England ’til I die’, but then went quiet.
But they didn’t have to wait too long for a response, after super sub Cole Palmer smashed in an equaliser in the 72nd minute.
It sent millions of England fans into frenzied celebrations, as beers were launched in the air at pubs and people celebrated on the streets.
Thousands of fans screamed in delight as they packed out Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square in London.
Among the crowd watching the historic match in the German capital unfold were members of the British royal family.
Prince William arrived at the match with his 10-year-old son, Prince George as the pair watched the action in Berlin.
Dressed in smart blue suits and ties, the pair of royals joined the thousands inside the Olympiastadion.
William took to Twitter to share a video of the pair walking the red carpet into the Olympiastadion, along with the post: ‘Hello, Berlin!’
Avid football fan George, who turns 11 later this month, appeared nervous as he sat next to his father – who is the President of the FA – to cheer on the Three Lions.
William, 42, appeared more relaxed, laughing and joking with guests at the sporting spectacle.
The future King was also seen talking to new Prime Minister Keir Starmer – who faced calls earlier this week to give Brits a day off, should England win the Euros.
Later, both the royals appeared frustrated after England failed to capitalise on a vital chance before the first half.
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Prince William and his son, Prince George, 10, were in the crowd cheering on the Three Lions
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Prince George, who turns 11 later this month, appeared nervous as he arrived at the stadium
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But his father William, 42, was more relaxed, smiling and joking with fellow guests at the game
