Southgate's Spain admission: They were the best team

England manager Southgate, who finished the tournament in second place after losing 2-1 to Spain in the EURO 2024 final, made statements after the match. Reminding that they have lost two consecutive finals, Southgate said, "Losing a final is incredibly difficult. First of all, I congratulate Spain. They were the best team in the tournament. They were the better side tonight as well. However, our players were also incredible. They gave everyone incredible nights. In terms of effort, desire, and character, they could not have given more."

Using the phrase "we weren't good enough" for the England national team on the night of the final, Southgate said, "We didn't keep the ball well enough. Actually, we defended well, especially in the first half, and limited their chances. However, we didn't use the ball well until we conceded the goal. Afterwards, we brought balance to the game. But in the end, we paid a heavy price for the physical issues in the tournament, the extra time periods, and our lack of possession tonight."

Southgate concluded his words with the assessment, "I think the reason we made mistakes was that our legs were starting to give out. My players pushed the final match until the 85th minute. They were truly incredible."