Defeat extends England's '58 years of hurt'

BERLIN, July 15 (Agencies): England failed to end '58 years of hurt' as their Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain in Berlin meant the 1966 World Cup remains their only men's trophy.

Gareth Southgate has transformed England's fortunes at major tournaments but once again fell just short as a painful 2-1 defeat in the final of Euro 2024 extended a 58-year wait for glory.

Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal scored four minutes from time as they capped a dominant Euro 2024 campaign with a deserved 2-1 win over England in Sunday's showpiece for a record fourth title and condemned their opponents to a second straight final defeat.

In the meantime, England have become the first nation to lose consecutive Euro finals (2020, 2024). Southgate is the first ever coach to lose 2 Euro finals.

Prior to Southgate's appointment eight years ago, the Three Lions had reached just three major tournament semi-finals and one final in their history, when they won the 1966 World Cup.

In the last four tournaments, England have reached three semi-finals and two finals but were undone by familiar failings as Spain rounded off their sublime tournament with a fitting victory.

Southgate had hailed a new "modern England" after they dominated possession to beat the Netherlands in the semi-finals.

But they were reduced to chasing shadows by Spain's metronomic midfield and cut open by wing wizards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams in Berlin.

Questions now turn to whether Southgate, whose contract expires at the end of the year, will continue in his role for the 2026 World Cup.

He admitted that the stinging criticism that came his way earlier in the tournament -- as fans threw beer cups at the England boss after a 0-0 draw with Slovenia -- had taken its toll.

But he is also aware that this is far from the end of the road for this generation of English players.