“They’ve been getting away with it the whole tournament, and they got found out.”
Roy Keane offered England a reality check after they lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday night.
England lost 2-1 to Spain in Berlin, becoming the first team to lose back-to-back European Championship finals.
Nico Williams opened the scoring after half-time before Cole Palmer equalised. Mikel Oyarzabal then scored the winning goal for Spain with three minutes to go.
Spain were brilliant and fully deserved to win the tournament, the fourth time they have won the continental competition. For England, the wait for a first trophy since 1966 goes on.
Keane, speaking on ITV, offered a dose of reality for England about the team’s performances at Euro 2024.
The Irishman said about England’s performances in the tournament:
“They’ve been getting away with it the whole tournament, and they got found out.”
Keane went on to say that Spain were worthy winners.
The former Manchester United captain, in contrast to his colleagues Ian Wright and Gary Neville, correctly focused on the brilliance of Spain in his post-match analysis.
For Keane, it was simple – Spain were the superior team and fully deserved to win.
“The best team won tonight, the best team won the tournament,” Keane said.
“Their record over the last 12 months has been fantastic. Spain have a lovely mix, the way they play.
“They have a threat on the counterattack, they have youth, they have experience.
“They beat Germany, they beat France and they’ve beaten England.
“For all the talent they have got, I tell you, they work their socks off. They’ve got desire, they’ve got pride.
“It’s tough on England, but without a doubt, Spain deserve it.”
Keane went on to say that England and Gareth Southgate deserve credit for reaching the final, but that the ‘biggest step’ to take was to win a trophy, and they have, once again, come up short.
“It’s the biggest step for players and a manager to win something,” Keane said.
“A lot of England’s young players have been fantastic in this tournament, but they lacked quality.
“Fight, desire and options off the bench probably got them to the final, but top level sport is brutal. Sometimes the opposition are just better than you.
“In sport, you need to step back and be humble. Spain were the better team. Take your medicine, regroup and go again.”
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