Analysis:England miss out on silverware yet again but earn respect

BERLIN : England were hoping success at the European Championship in Germany would earn them respect from the footballing world and while they fell short in Sunday’s defeat in the final against Spain, they went a long way to winning wider acclaim.

Manager Gareth Southgate spoke before the final about the need to “win the respect of the football world" with a major triumph as England were competing in their first major final on foreign soil and chasing a first title since the 1966 World Cup.

The did not have their name embossed on the trophy after losing a second straight Euros final as Spain snatched a late 2-1 victory at the Olympiastadion, but Southgate can take solace from the significant progress made in his eight years in charge and must feel England are edging closer to elusive silverware.

They came desperately close at Wembley three years ago when Italy edged England in the COVID-delayed Euro 2020 final on post-match penalties at Wembley, and got to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and the last eight in Qatar two years ago.

It is a drastic improvement on barren years for the team of a country revered for its domestic league but the subject of countless disappointments at international level for decades.

They had their opportunity to put that to bed on Sunday, but came undone when it mattered most.

England looked to have the measure of Spain in the first half, nullifying the twin threat of Nico Williams and 17-year-old Lamine Yamal on the flanks and creating the only chance of the half for Phil Foden at the back post.

LIGHTNING QUICK

But they were caught by a lightning-quick Spanish attack soon after the break as Williams swept in the opening goal.

Southgate had been criticised for being slow in making changes during the