Shattered England players were consoled by their families and WAGs after the heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final last night.
The loss devastated the nation, with crestfallen fans left in disbelief after they had packed into bars and pubs in the hope of seeing England finally claim their first victory since the World Cup of 1966.
But Gareth Southgate’s men were unable to make history as they lost in Berlin last night, which echoed England’s bitter defeat in the Euro 2020 final.
On the pitch, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Cole Palmer were left holding their heads in their hands, while a distraught Jude Bellingham was comforted by Southgate after collapsing to the floor.
Players were also consoled by their friends and families in the stands, with Ollie Watkins crying as he hugged his girlfriend Ellie Anderson, while Luke Shaw looked dejected as he wrapped himself in a hoodie.
The defeat left Prince William and Prince George visibly stunned, with the Prince of Wales seen consoling England’s dejected skipper, Harry Kane – as King Charles urged the squad to ‘hold your heads high’ and hailed them the ‘pride of a nation’.
In a touching message to try and lift spirits, 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 and later presented runner-up medals to the Three Lions, 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.
Super sub Cole Palmer had given the nation belief when he struck a brilliant equaliser in the 73rd-minute, after his team had gone behind at the start of the second half.
It sent boozers into wild celebrations, with beers launched into the air as fans sung ‘it’s coming come’ – while in Berlin’s Olympiastadion, Prince William and his son, Prince George, punched the air in delight.
But the hopes and expectations of a nation came crashing down minutes later when Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal slotted the winning goal past Jordan Pickford in the 86th-minute.
The Prince of Wales said on social media after the game: ‘This time it just wasn’t meant to be. We’re all still so proud of you. Onwards. W’
And King Charles urged the side to ‘hold your heads high’ in a message to Gareth Southgate where he praised their ‘really great achievement’.
He said yesterday: ‘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.’
Devastated fans, who travelled to Berlin to watch England in the Euro 2024 final, told of their bitter disappointment following the defeat.
Aaron Dixon, 39, an engineer from Nantwich, said: ‘I am gutted. It is all over and the big disappointment is that we never really got going in the game.
‘We were too passive, and we just waited for them to get at us. We couldn’t get a foothold at any stage really.
‘I could see their second goal coming. I think Southgate played it quite right though, taking Kane off after 60 minutes and then bringing it on the substitutes, who gave us a chance.’
He said if Southgate quits, England should appoint an interim manager and then wait for former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to complete his one year break before being offered the job.
But Johnathan Paul, 38, an NHS radiographer from Sheffield said Jose Mourinho should become the next England boss, if Southgate departs.
Mr Paul, wearing an England shirt, emerged from the stadium and said: ‘We should give Mourinho the chance. I know his ego would come as well, but he has been a great manager and he would probably do an amazing job with England.’
He said England still had a potential world beating team and in Harry Kane had one of the world’s best strikers ‘who would walk into any team and that includes Spain too.’
He added: ‘it was very depressing at the final whistle. But Harry Kane looked injured and he never won a header. But on form, he is a world-class striker so I can’t listen to any talk about him not playing for England again.
‘I think on seeing England tonight, I realised that throughout this tournament we have flattened to deceive.
‘We might have had half an hour which was good against Holland, or five minutes against Switzerland, but we never really showed that we deserve to win it during this competition.
‘it is sad that we have to wait another two years for a chance to have a go at winning something. It will mean 60 years of never winning a trophy. But we have to look forward to the World Cup now and a new England.’
Fans watching the latest defeat at the Boxpark Croydon, in south-east London, 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.
‘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.’
Some 50,000 supporters travelled to Berlin to cheer on Gareth Southgate’s men.
Businessman Phil Riggins, 64, from Brockley, London, was among the army of England fans in the German capital.
He told : ‘Its typical of England’s luck. We just can’t find a way to get over the line.
‘I thought when Cole scored my dream was going to come true. Spain were rattled. There were ten minutes when England’s name was on the cup.
‘Declan Rice… If only! That ball just would not go into the net and we had three shots in one attacked.
‘It is a real shame. Because I think that might be the end of a few of our senior players like Harry Kane and Kyle Walker. ‘
As he talked, he wiped tears from the face of his 11-year-old son Ruben who’d painted on England flag began to smear.
‘I am in my 60s, so I suppose it’s for the youngsters to look forward and hope for one day to prove we are the best.’
Kate Schofield, 19, from Sheffield, hugged her boyfriend Paul, and wiped away tears.
The politics student said: ‘I’ve just seen England lose and some of the players were crying. I can’t stop crying myself.
‘it is just so sad. It’s been a great party throughout this tournament and we looked like we were going to go and win it. I can’t believe we are going home once again without a cup
‘I phoned my mum and dad a minute ago and they were both crying as well after they watched on television.
‘They said as soon as they saw Harry Kane looking so upset , they started crying as well. I reckon everybody’s coming back home.’
Willie Jackson, 33, of Newport, added: ‘I suppose we lost to the better team. Spain has been amazing in nearly every game they played.
‘But for most of the game we were equal with them. It seems that we’ve just got a bad luck vibe about us
‘I’m just gonna go and get some drinks now and try and forget this pain.’
In Newcastle, tearful fans slumped to their knees as the full-time whistle signalled a gut-punch defeat.
Supporters crammed into a fan park in Times Square were left crestfallen as the Three Lions’ 58 years of hurt continued.
Traipsing off into the city centre, supporters hugged each other, disconsolate at the result.
University student Taylor Hesketh, 21, from Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside, said last night: ‘We stood off Spain and showed them too much respect and we got punished. But Spain deserved it. They were the better team and they’ve been best the team in the tournament.
‘It hurts a lot but I’m proud of the team. I’m proud of the fact that every time we seemed down and out we fought back. We refused to accept defeat all tournament and we got within a whisker of extra time tonight.
‘Right now it feels like a punch in the stomach. Losing a final doesn’t feel great – but at least we are in them now.
‘For years the national team has underachieved and now we are in finals, so I’ve got lots of respect for Gareth Southgate.
‘Even though we lost, he deserved a knighthood.
Around 1,800 Three Lions supporters sank more than 7,000 pints cheering on England in the outdoor fan zone.
Before kick-off fans were whipped into a frenzy after being shown a reel of crucial England goals over the years – including Sir Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup-winning hat-trick.
VIP tables – priced at £140 each – were snapped up as soon as the Netherlands were brushed away in the semi-final.
A string of tackles by Manchester United defender on Spain’s teen sensation Yamine Lemal, 17, were greeted by loud roars as supporters urged the Three Lions forward.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka’s mazy runs were met with cheers – while hands were on heads when midfielder Phil Foden connected with a free kick in the last minute of the half.
Fans kept the faith as Spain dominated possession and held their hands on their heads when Phil Foden tested Unai Simon with a half-volley on the stroke of half time.
But they were stunned into silence after Yamine Lemal opened up the England defence and slipped in Nico Williams to put Spain ahead two minutes into the second half.
Despite delirious scenes when Cole Palmer’s exquisite finish put England level, punters were drowning their sorrows at full-time.
Coley McFarlane, 22, a domestic abuse advocate from Middlesbrough, said: ‘I think we had a massive slice of luck in getting to the final but I’m still proud of the lads.
‘England had never made a final on foreign soil before and before Euro 2020 we hadn’t been in a final since 1966.
‘We are reaching milestones that other England teams could only dream of, so I’m trying to stay positive.
‘The World Cup is in two years and we’ll smash it.’
The post-match analysis took place in kebab shops and fried chicken joints as supporters debated Southgate’s substitutions and team selection.
Retail worker Josh Barry, 20, said: ‘I don’t think you could fault the players, they gave their all for the shirt and they were heartbroken at full time.
‘It’s easy to get disillusioned with all the money in the modern game, and it meant a lot to see them care so much.’
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 – and sparked tense scenes in some parts of the city.
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.’
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.
While in the stadium, ugly scenes appeared to break out as fans clashed with each other after the match.
Meanwhile, footage showed drunk and in despair fans unleashing violence in the streets of Benidorm after England lost against Spain.
Back in the O2 Arena, England fans 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.
The crowd broke into a brief chant of ‘I’m England ’til I die’, but then went quiet.
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.
The royal pair’s appearance followed just hours after the Princess of Wales attended the final of Wimbledon in the afternoon, accompanied by daughter Princess Charlotte, nine.
Kate presented the Wimbledon trophy to Carlos Alcaraz as the Spaniard won the Grand Slam for a second year in a row.
Kate, 42, who has stepped away from public royal duties while undergoing cancer treatment, saw the Spanish reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz take on veteran Novak Djokovic, winning in three sets.
Back in the Berlin and Phil Foden’s influencer son Ronnie was leading the Three Lions’ army of cubs last night cheering on England.
The five-year-old – who has a staggering four million followers on Instagram – was snapped cheering on his father, 24.
Wearing an England shirt, the youngster was seen holding a homemade sign saying: ‘Bring it home daddy!’
Joining Ronnie and the other children roaring on the Three Lions were England’s glamorous groups of WAGs, who were out in force.
Conor Gallagher’s girlfriend Aine May Kennedy was joined by Bukayo Saka’s partner Tolami Benson and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s wife Georgina Irwin.
But after a tense first half with no goals scored so far, the wives and girlfriends were clearly hoping for a development in the game.
Tolami appeared to be scrolling through her phone as the match approached half time.
Meanwhile while Aine May pulled a rather fed-up expression as she watched on.
Olivia Naylor even posed with her hand on her hip, as she joined the crowds to support John Stones.
Aaron Ramsdale’s wife Georgina went all out with facepaint and an England top – but even she maintained a neutral expression as the game progressed.
Earlier all the wives and girlfriends posed for a group photo, which was posted on Aine May’s account, ahead of kick-off last night.
Aine May – who is the girlfriend of Conor Gallagher – cut a glamorous figure in a pair of jean shorts and her partner’s England shorts.
The 23-year-old posed alongside Ellie Anderson, who is the girlfriend of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
The mother-of-two also donned a pair of light denim high-waisted shorts, a cropped England top and white sandals.
On her on Instagram, Ellie posted a picture of her and Ollie’s brother Jordan, who was also a footballer.
Ellie’s boyfriend Ollie scored a glorious goal in the 90th minute of England’s last match on Wednesday night and was deemed man of the match.
Meanwhile, Dani Dyer looked equally glamorous in a white mini skirt, matching ruched top and a England shirt.
Also in the stands cheering on Gareth Southgate’s men was British pop icon, Ed Sheeran.
The Shape of You singer, decked out in a red England away kit, has been a key ally of the squad having met the team earlier during the tournament.
Sheeran, who was also spotted in the stands at the semi-final clash , said: ‘Everything is coming together at the right point’.
Earlier, Ant and Dec, Amanda Holden and WAG Dani Dyer led the stars supporting the Three Lions on social media to a hopeful victory in the Euros 2024 final on Sunday.
Former Love Island star Dani, 27, is in Berlin, Germany, to support her England player partner Jarrod Bowen and posed for snaps before the match began.
She teamed her white England shirt with a pretty ruffled skirt and wore sunglasses perched on top of her head.
Dani posed in another snap with her actor dad Danny, 46, ahead of the game before heading to meet some other WAGS for a few drinks.
She was seen celebrating with player Conor Gallagher’s partner Aine May Kennedy and forward Ollie Watkins’ girlfriend Ellie Alderson.
Meanwhile Amanda Holden dressed to impress in full England gear as well as a novelty hat as she watched the match in Spain.
Elsewhere Geordie Shore’s Holly Hagan, 32, posed in a red England top and jeans with her husband Jacob Blyth ahead of the game.
She penned in the caption: ‘It’s coming home apparently!’
Football fan KSI, 31, looked in great spirits as he arrived at the final in Berlin in his England shirt.
Elsewhere Kate Beckinsale and Amanda Holden cheered ‘it’s coming home’ ahead of the match earlier in the day.
She playfully sipped on a Guinness and posed in the bar with a group of Spanish fans.
TV duo Ant and Dec shared a snap in their England shirts as they passionately penned: ‘Come on lads!!!’ in the caption.
Three Lions fans came out in force earlier during the day. with tens of thousands of people crowding into cities up and down the country.
As excitement for the game built earlier in the day. Three Lions fans packed into cities up and down the country, turning the streets red and white.
Massive crowds filled London, with thousands of punters marching on Leicester Square singing ‘It’s Coming Home’.
In Trafalgar Square, fans set of red and white flares – sparking a warning from police, who were pictured clashing with some of the supporters.
Meanwhile, in Newcastle boozers were at capacity hours before kick-off as footie fanatics bagged their spots.
Supporters packed into a sold-out fan zone in the city hours before kick-off – and had already downed 3,000 pints by 6pm.
By 8pm, more than 1,800 will have crammed in to watch the match on a giant screen, where fans were whipped into a frenzy after being shown a reel of crucial England goals over the years – including Sir Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup-winning hat-trick.
Bar worker Tom Brodie, 30, said last night: ‘We will get through 7,000 pints tonight easily.
‘Everyone is in good spirits. No one is bothered that it is a Sunday. It’s like a Friday night in Newcastle.
Gas engineer Shaun Chapman, 26, from Middlesbrough, out with his mates for the big match, had a vision of how the final would play out.
He said: ‘I think it’ll be 1-1 draw and England will win on penalties. We’ve ridden our luck all the way – if we don’t win it this year, we never will.
‘But you earn your own luck – the players have refused to accept being beaten. If we do bring it home, then Gareth Southgate should be knighted and bow out on a high.’
As the match carried on, fans in Newcastle were forced to be patient during a goalless first half.
Keen supporters at the front tried to lift the atmosphere by blowing a hooter but the tension was palpable.
Cries of ‘go on’ were shouted whenever Gareth Southgate’s men tried to push forward.
Steven Lister, 28, an engineer, said: ‘I think we are doing quite well.
‘Spain aren’t really threatening us. We need to keep stopping their wide players which we’ve managed to do so far.
‘It’s difficult to say what needs to change in the second half.
‘We just need to keep it tight and then go from there.
‘They can’t get the ball off Saka so that’s encouraging. We need to keep giving him it.’
Aaron Mokeller, 27, said: ‘I think we need to take Harry Kane off for Ollie Watkins.
‘I want to see Anthony Gordon get on as well to give us more of an attacking threat.
‘I don’t have much confidence for the second half.’
Earlier, joiner Alfie Clarke, 21, from Barnsley, south Yorks, said: ‘Everyone is up for it and feeling confident. I reckon it’ll be 2-1 with Saka and Kane to score.
‘We’ve been drinking since 11am this morning – if we win we’ll be drinking until 11am tomorrow.’
Despite rain showers, crowds were buoyed up as an acoustic guitarist played renditions of Three Lions (on a shirt), Hey Jude by The Beatles and Oasis hit Wonderwall.
Newcastle university student Hayley Watkinson, 21, said last night: ‘Whatever the result tonight, it’s going to be a special night.
‘Gareth Southgate has had some criticism but the team has been getting better and better. We were unlucky against Italy in the final in 2021 when we lost on penalties. Tonight I hope that luck will be on our side.’
Leon Metcalfe, 27, a quantity surveyor from Durham, Co Durham, added: ‘I can absolutely believe we are in the final – we are the best team in the world. Southgate is a legend.
‘I’ve taken the day off work tomorrow because I just know we are going to win – 2-1 and a Harry Kane penalty in the 90th minute.
‘If that happens I’ll be out until Tuesday.’
In Manchester, the city centre was transformed into a huge fan zone as more than 4,500 England supporters packed out the Progress Centre in Ardwick.
A sea of white shirts flooded into the outdoor venue – less than a mile from Piccadilly station
The jubilant crowd, undeterred by city’s gloomy skies and unseasonably low 16C temperatures, wrapped themselves in St George’s flags to keep warm.
Among the punters getting into the swing of things was 34-year-old Lee Wright, who declared yesterday: ‘Tonight’s the night. It’s finally coming home.’
Speaking to the Sun, the football lover added: ‘If we win, I’m definitely pulling a sickie tomorrow.
‘It’s history in the making and I have no intentions of going to bed if we batter Spain.’
Millions of punters were predicted to take tomorrow off – with train drivers and rail staff across the nation having already caused mayhem on Sunday after snubbing overtime hours, leading to hundreds of train cancellations.
The Metropolitan Police has already rolled out an anti-social behaviour order across Westminster until 2am on Monday.
It comes as large crowds took over the centre of the capital.
Glenn Sanderson, 29, who travelled from Southend-on-Sea in Essex to watch the final at the O2 Arena in London, said he is ‘confident’ the England men’s team can follow in the footsteps of the Lionesses.
The England supporter said last night: ‘I am confident, I wouldn’t say it’s a guaranteed win but I think the way we’ve been playing – we’ve been building up something for a long time, and today I think we might do it.
‘If the men’s team are going to follow the women’s team, the under 21s did the same thing a couple of years ago as well – it’s the next step in the progression of football.
‘If the women can win it – so can the men.’
Craig Miles, 36, travelled from Cookham in Berkshire to watch the final at Boxpark in Croydon, south-east London, as part of a group of 10 friends.
Mr Miles said: ‘I think we’re going to win. I think it’s our time.
‘I was at the final at Wembley when we lost to Italy three years ago. That was pretty painful.
‘On paper we have a better team (than Spain), but they’re playing better.’
At the O2 Arena in London, fans prepared for the final with a mass sing-along.
Wearing England flags, shirts and hats, supporters at the Greenwich venue danced and sang along to a live band performing karaoke classics including the Killers’ Mr Brightside, I Want To Break Free by Queen and the Human League’s Don’t You Want Me.
Fireworks and smoke went off at the front of the stage while lyrics were projected on the 16-metre screen behind the band.
Some 50,000 England fans travelled to Germany to cheer on the Three Lions
Thousands packed into a fanzone at the
An announcer on stage at the fanzone at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin reminded crowds to ‘be kind to each other’.
She said: ‘This is a football match, this is not a war.’
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.
The crowd broke into a brief chant of ‘I’m England ’til I die’, but then went quiet.
Lee and Vanessa Hancock, from Howden, Yorkshire, had travelled to Berlin to watch the final in the fanzone with 12-year-old daughter Eleanor.
Mrs Hancock, 50, said: ‘We knew we wouldn’t get tickets for the match, but we wanted to be in Berlin because it’s a better atmosphere.
‘We’ve had an amazing weekend. I don’t think the first half of the match has been too bad, I thought Spain might have got one in.’
Mr Hopkins, 50, who booked the trip a month ago, added: ‘We’ve got a flight home at 6am so I hope it doesn’t go to extra time.’