Gareth Southgate has transformed England's fortunes at major tournaments but once again fell just short as a painful 2-1 defeat in the final of Euro 2024 extended a 58-year wait for glory.
Prior to Southgate's appointment eight years ago, the Three Lions had reached just three major tournament semi-finals and one final in their history, when they won the 1966 World Cup.
In the last four tournaments, England have reached three semi-finals and two finals but were undone by familiar failings as Spain rounded off their sublime tournament with a fitting victory.
Southgate had hailed a new "modern England" after they dominated possession to beat the Netherlands in the semi-finals. But they were reduced to chasing shadows by Spain's metronomic midfield and cut open by wing wizards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams in Berlin.