Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville has attributed England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final to their inability to maintain possession effectively. Spain’s dominance in ball control, holding 66% possession compared to England’s 34%, played a crucial role in their victory. Goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal secured Spain’s fourth Euro title, while England became the first team to lose consecutive Euro finals.
Reflecting on England’s performance, Neville emphasized the team’s struggle to control the game, a recurring issue in their tournament history. Despite equalizing in the 73rd minute through a first-time shot, Neville noted that England could have been trailing by more goals earlier in the match due to Spain’s numerous chances. He highlighted the challenge of consistently playing from behind and moving the entire team up the pitch, particularly against opponents of Spain’s quality.
“Spain had plenty of opportunities and could have secured the game before we leveled the score,” Neville remarked. “To not assert control in crucial matches has been a longstanding problem for England in tournaments.”
The decisive goal for Spain came in the 86th minute when Oyarzabal found the net, securing their victory and adding to England’s disappointment. Despite reaching the final, Neville acknowledged the familiar struggles that have plagued England teams in major competitions.