David James says England were beaten by “the best team in the history of the European Championship” in the Euro 2024 final.
Spain won their fourth title and first since 2012 in Berlin, scoring a late winner against the Three Lions to make it a bittersweet final for Gareth Southgate’s men.
La Roja won all seven matches in the tournament, defeating the likes of Italy, Croatia, Germany and France en route to the final.
This is a testament to the work of head coach Luis de la Fuente, who had success with Spain’s youth teams before taking over the senior team.
James once stood up for his country but recently he has been providing expert analysis and has been struck by the quality of the winners.
Speaking to 101GreatGoals on behalf of Best Online Poker Sites, the former England stopper said: “I came to the realization that we lost to the best team in the history of the European Championship.
We fell short of what we wanted to achieve this summer, but this team gave it their all and made us proud.
Your support in Germany and at home has been wonderful. Thank you. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YBivqQXfJe
– England (@England) July 14, 2024
“I don’t want to take anything away from the final in Italy. Once again, we have reached the final, we are only two penalties short of winning it if you like. But Italy was not the best team in the tournament. I think that’s the point.
“If you look at Spain in this tournament, they have played seven games and won seven games.
“They had the most top scorers in the history of Euro finals. All of this team was equipped to win the tournament or had the belief and ability to win it.
“So, even if the game is frustrating, you have come up with a team that has never been seen in the history of Europe.
“Winning seven games out of seven was unheard of until last night. It doesn’t mean that we wouldn’t have done something different, but it means that everyone who tried to do something against this Spanish team ended up losing.”
Lucky England
The way England played in the first half against Spain was encouraging, although it was lacking in the entertainment department.
Each player looked to stick to their role and it was frustrating for Spain, who struggled to deliver regular crosses to Alvaro Morata.
It’s cold.️#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Yc8zMnoU98
– UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 15, 2024
But a few minutes of chaos in the second half meant that the Three Lions had to come out unscathed and James admits it was just unfortunate that they had to face such a formidable opponent.
He added: “I thought the first half was very good. What England did in the first half was contain Spain to the point, yes, they had openings, but in reality, their key players, Rodri, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal were quiet.
“I was laughing to myself because every time Williams picked up the ball he wanted to run and hit Kyle Walker but failed.
“And Yamal tried to do it to Luke Shaw but he couldn’t. The game plan was working.
“However, this was because Rodri was silent and when it was changed, Martin Zubimendi came in and took a different position than Rodri.
“So the game plan we had with Rodri suddenly went wrong and after two minutes in the second half, it ended 1-0. So it was those two minutes that were the key to the game.
“We got back to it, but Spain actually had a lot of chances, Jordan Pickford made a great save, and at one point Spain scored a goal and we were beaten 2-0, it was completely different.
In the field at #EURO2024 last about two minutes and scores.
Cole Palmer 🥶 pic.twitter.com/5uXK2tW5zW
– England (@England) July 14, 2024
“I don’t think there is much we could have done differently. I just think that if Rodri had stayed, the game would have turned out very differently.
“See [England] they came up with a team that, throughout the tournament, proved it game by game, even though they changed, I think, nine or 10 players in the last game of the team, everyone was good and it’s like you shouldn’t have the best player.
“They had such a high level of players that they were changing each other. We saw that when I thought that Pedri was injured, Dani Olmo came in, scored a goal, and set up another one, it’s like everyone is in good shape.”
Changing of the guard
It was another disappointing night for Harry Kane, who was sent off early in the second half.
Ollie Watkins came on as his replacement and Cole Palmer also came on to score the equaliser.
The likes of Eberechi Eze, Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton have seen some minutes in the tournament and James has had his say on whether he thinks there is a changing of the guard in the England camp as eyes turn to the 2026 World Cup.
“Changing of the guard? Yes, because we have young players coming. I think what was really fun.
“In two years of the World Cup, you can imagine that there are players that we may not know.
“I am sure that the home fans of the local teams will say that this kid is the one.
“But what we’ve seen with Spain and their reliance on young players, I think that’s something Gareth has experienced with young players.”
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