English fans and players alike, have expressed sadness and huge disappointment over Three Lions loss to Spain in the Euros 2024 final on Sunday. The team led by its head coach, Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane have returned to England as reactions continue to trail the team’s defeat.
For Emile Heskey, the former Liverpool and England striker he told BBC Radio 5 Live:
“I’m disappointed, like everyone else. We slowly grew into the tournament, we got to the final and again Gareth [Southgate] brought the nation together – it was great while it lasted. Spain had a fantastic squad, when you look at Spanish football, it’s all about keeping possession and progression, trying to dominate the ball and they did that.
“They had on average 63% possession and they are used to that. This time England where chasing the ball and we are not used to that. This Spanish side, we all knew they were going to go far. Spain in the final was always going to be a tall order but I still feel like we could have attacked a little bit more and been a bit more aggressive”.
The BBC reports Manchester United and England defender Luke Shaw saying he understood the supporters’ disappointment at losing to Spain.
The 29-year-old defender made his first start in four months in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final after recovering from a hamstring injury.
“I’m absolutely devastated. We really believed we could do it but it wasn’t meant to be”, he was quoted as saying.
Speaking on Gareth Southgate, Shaw added: “He is extremely proud of the team and what we have achieved as a group but, of course, there isn’t much else he could say.
“Everyone is truly gutted. I think we had massive belief, but the fans deserved it. I just want to thank them for their support and can only apologise to them.”
For the squad’s Captain Harry Kane spoke to fans via X, saying the players would “pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and be ready to fight again in an England shirt”.
He wrote: “Heartbroken we couldn’t achieve what we worked so hard to. It was a long, tough tournament and I’m so proud of the boys and staff for getting to the final.
“Ultimately, we fell short of our target and will have to live with that but as we always do we will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and be ready to fight again in an England shirt.
“Thank you to all the fans that believed in us and supported us to the very end!”
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