Harry Kane called England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Uefa Euro 2024 “as painful as it gets” and described the Three Lions’ tournament as a “difficult ride”.
England equalised through Cole Palmer’s 70th-minute strike but were dominated by opponents who won through goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal.
“Losing in a final is as tough as it gets,” said Kane, who was replaced by Ollie Watkins with England 1-0 behind in the 61st minute, speaking to BBC Sport.
“We did really well to get back into the game but we couldn’t quite use that momentum and keep the ball, and we got punished for it.
“It’s as painful as it gets. We didn’t keep quite the same intensity and pressure and keep the ball. It’s been a difficult ride and we’ve done extremely well to get here.
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England vs Spain: Kane replaced
Kane finished as the joint-top Euro scorer with three goals but was not as his indispensable best for his country and was the subject of speculation that he was carrying an injury.
The 30-year-old was again substituted against Spain, Watkins’ introduction preceding a promising period for England in which Palmer levelled.
There could have been few complaints, though, about victory for a Spain side who had more than 65 per cent of possession and an expected goals tally more than three times that of England’s.
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Euro 2024 final: England ‘tired’
“There are a lot of tired legs and a tired mentality,” acknowledged Kane, who lost a second successive Euro final following England’s defeat on penalties to Italy at the 2020 edition.
“We got caught behind [for the winner]. It’s about moments and we had one at the end where they cleared one off the line [from Declan Rice]. We wanted to do it so badly for ourselves, the fans and everybody who’s believed in us.”
Manager Gareth Southgate faced intense criticism during England’s poor start to the tournament, and Kane said it would be up to the 53-year-old to take time to contemplate whether he will continue.
Spain became European champions for a fourth time, while England’s only major title remains the 1966 Fifa World Cup.
