England have become the first team to lose back-to-back European Championship finals after falling to a 2-1 defeat against Spain on Sunday night.
Three years after losing to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, England have tasted heartbreaking defeat once again.
It was penalties last time, a late goal this time; England just haven’t quite been able to get the job done.
The inquest has begun as fans ponder whether Gareth Southgate will stay on after eight years in the job.
The World Cup is two years away and all plans must now go towards that tournament once the disappointment of Sunday’s Euro 2024 final defeat subsides.
Some big-name players maybe didn’t have their best tournaments this time around and will be looking to make amends down the line.
Spanish media on Declan Rice
Arsenal star Declan Rice is one player who may feel that he didn’t show his absolute best form in Germany this summer.
Rice is an incredible midfielder and was a driving force in different midfield roles for Arsenal over the past year.
Euro 2024 was a little tricky for Rice though with his performances a little up and down; poor against Denmark, much better against Switzerland.
Rice was caught out for Xavi Simons’ goal against the Netherlands and missing out on some chances to play line-breaking passes left some fans frustrated.
The 25-year-old wasn’t the problem for England, but maybe his Arsenal form just left supporters expecting a little more.
It must be noted that Rice hasn’t exactly had a settled partner alongside him; first it was Trent Alexander-Arnold, then Conor Gallagher, then the inexperienced Kobbie Mainoo.
That isn’t an easy situation for Rice and the uncertainty may have contributed to some below-part displays.
Rice so nearly scored a late leveller against Spain but it just wasn’t to be – and the Spanish media have offered their thoughts on Rice’s display.
Playing against the likes of Rodri and Fabian Ruiz is a battle for any midfielder and Rice’s display earned mixed reviews.
Goal rated Rice at just 5 out of 10, believing that he just couldn’t impact the game enough for England.
“He couldn’t control the game, with too many concessions and few incisive passes,” they wrote.
Marca intriguingly rated Rice as a 7 out of 10 for his first-half display, but went with 5 out of 10 come full time, suggesting that he and Mainoo ‘suffered’.
“Very attentive in his role as a sweeper. The best recoverer of the Euros is not disappointing. Interesting duel with Dani Olmo,” they wrote at half time. “Like Mainoo, they suffered in the second half, failing to prevent Spain from outplaying them in midfield.”
Mundo Deportivo felt that Rice was off his game both in and out of possession, bra
“The Arsenal midfielder was not as accurate as usual in both stealing and passing the ball. He had a chance to equalise in added time but Unai Simón prevented it,” they wrote.
Rice was so good in the Euro 2021 final and fans will remember that England lost forward momentum once he was substituted.
This may not have been vintage Rice, but Arsenal fans will feel confident in him bouncing back – and possibly taking his game to another level this season in pursuit of the Premier League title.
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