David James says England were beaten by the “best side in European Championship history” 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 back-to-back losses at the last hurdle for Gareth Southgate’s men.
La Roja won all seven of their matches at the tournament, beating the likes of Italy, Croatia, Germany and France on their way to the final.
It is a testament to the work of head coach Luis de la Fuente, who was successful with Spain’s youth teams before taking over the senior side.
James once stood in net for his country but has more recently been providing expert analysis and was blown away by the quality of the winners.
Speaking to 101GreatGoals on behalf of Best Online Poker Sites, the ex-England stopper said: “I’ve come to the realisation that we got beat by the best team in European Championship history.
We fell short of what we wanted to achieve this summer, but this group gave everything and have done us proud.
Your support in Germany and back home has been incredible. Thank you. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YBivqQXfJe
— England (@England) July 14, 2024
“I don’t want to take anything away from the Italy final. Again, we got to the final, we were just two penalties short of winning it if you like. But Italy weren’t the best team in the tournament. I think that’s the point.
“When you look at Spain this tournament, they’ve played seven games, won seven games.
“They’ve had the most number of individual goal scorers in any Euros finals history. This whole squad was equipped to win the tournament or had the belief and ability to win it.
“So therefore, as frustrating as the game might be, you came up against a team which has never been seen before in European history.
“To win seven out of seven games is unheard of until last night. It doesn’t mean that we couldn’t have done something different, but what it does mean is that everyone who tried to do something against this Spanish side ended up losing.”
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Unlucky England
England’s first-half performance against Spain was encouraging, albeit lacking in the entertainment department.
Each player looked to be sticking to their role very well and it was frustrating Spain, who were struggling to deliver their usual crosses into Alvaro Morata.
Cold.️#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Yc8zMnoU98
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 15, 2024
But a few chaotic minutes in the second half was all it took for the Three Lions to come unstuck and James admits it was simply unlucky that they had to face such a formidable opponent.
He added: “I thought the first half was excellent. What England did in the first half was contain Spain to the point, yes, they had some openings, but really, their key players, Rodri, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal were kept very quiet.
“I was chuckling to myself because every time Williams picked the ball up, he wanted to run and beat Kyle Walker and he couldn’t.
“And then Yamal tried to do it against Luke Shaw and he couldn’t. The game plan was working.
“However, this was, I think predominantly because Rodri was kept quiet and then when the substitution was made, Martin Zubimendi came in and he actually occupied a different position to Rodri.
“So the game plan that we had with Rodri all of a sudden was flawed and after two minutes in the second half, we’re 1-0 down. So it kind of was those two minutes that were the key to the game.
“We got back into it, but really Spain had more opportunities, Jordan Pickford made a few big saves, which another time Spain score and we’re 2-0 down and again, it’s completely different.
On the pitch in the #EURO2024 final for barely two minutes and scores.
Cole Palmer 🥶 pic.twitter.com/5uXK2tW5zW
— England (@England) July 14, 2024
“I don’t think there’s much we could have done differently. I just think that had Rodri stayed on, then the game would have panned out very differently.
“They [England] came up against a side who, throughout the competition, had proved game on game on game, even when they changed, I think, nine or 10 players in the last group game, everyone was capable and it was like they didn’t have to have the best player.
“They just had such a high level of players that it was interchangeable. We saw that when I think Pedri got injured and then Dani Olmo comes in, scores a goal, sets one up, it’s just like everyone just fitted in perfectly.”
Changing of the guard
It was another disappointing night for Harry Kane, who was taken off early in the second half.
Ollie Watkins replaced him and Cole Palmer also came on to score the equaliser.
The likes of Eberechi Eze, Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton saw some minutes at the tournament and James had his say on whether he thought there was a changing of the guard in the England camp as eyes turn to the 2026 World Cup.
“Changing the guard? Yes, because we have young players coming through. I think what was really pleasing.
“In two years’ time for a World Cup, then you would think there are players that we might not know.
“I’m sure local fans of local teams will say this kid’s going to be the one.
“But what we saw with Spain and their trust in younger players, I think that’s something that Gareth has experienced with younger players as well.”
