Gary Neville

“England’s energy levels drop”. Headline in official technical report of #EURO2024 final by @UEFA technical observers, inc Moyes, Solskjaer, Capello, Benitez. Concluded that “#ENG had not used the ball well enough” in the loss to #ESP. Moyes: "England couldn’t get on the ball as well as Spain and couldn’t find a way to build better." Panel: "This inability to keep hold of the ball was another reason why their pressing became less effective as the 2nd half progressed (ultimately taking a physical toll too).” Spain beat England press only 5x 1st half, 11x 2nd (from 31 and 30 occasions respectively). Spain 3 chances before h-t, 11 in 2nd half, inc 5 of their 6 shots on goal. “As for England, their 73rd-minute equaliser by substitute Cole Palmer was only their second shot on goal of the final. It fitted a pattern of big moments from individual players during their run through the tournament. Unlike in previous matches, though, it would not be enough.” Tech panel said England’s "key features" in tournament were: “Influential gk Pickford made key saves; solid c-b pairing of Stones and Guehi; compact defensively with impressive resilience; Saka’s 1v1 ability and creativity from right; influence of Foden between the lines v #NED; impact of subs with goals from Watkins, Palmer; moments of individual brilliance from key players, e.g. Bellingham goal v Slovakia”. Bellingham’s overhead voted second-best goal of tournament after Lamine Yamal 25-yarder v France. Watkins v Dutch voted 8th best. Technical panel included Walker in Team of the Tournament because he was “strong in duels both aerially and on the ground”. Panel praised the “impressive advances made under Gareth Southgate’s reign” and noted the level of support, “typically with England, the Olympiastadion was awash with flags of St George”.