This was the moment it all went wrong
England fans have pinpointed the moment it all went wrong for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions as they lost last night’s Euros final 2-1 to Spain.
The moment came in the 76th minute of the game, shortly after England had equalised and looked to be enjoying a sustained period of possession.
Deep into the Spanish half, England won a throw-in, several attacking players moved into space to give Kyle Walker options including Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and Declan Rice but Walker instead threw the ball up the field back to John Stones who proceeded to pass to Jordan Pickford.
England’s number one then booted the ball back up field and out for a goal kick at the opposite end, completely taking the sting out of England’s momentum.
The moment it died…
— Reco (@RecoSpurs) July 14, 2024
After our 73rd min equaliser, we had started to play it around for a period of sustained possession.
Then for some reason, Walker throws the ball way back to Stones, who passes it back to Pickford, who long balls it out for a goal kick to Spain.#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/KWNJ6DmiaX
England fans took to X to convey their dismay at the poor decision from Walker. One user said: “The moment it died… After our 73rd min equaliser, we had started to play it around for a period of sustained possession. Then for some reason, Walker throws the ball way back to Stones, who passes it back to Pickford, who long balls it out for a goal kick to Spain.”
In the clip you can see a furious Ollie Watkins pointing to himself and asking Pickford to look for him as he had made the run.
Another user responded saying: “Why wasn’t Walker throwing that into the box?” whilst another fumed: “I shouted at the TV at this exact moment!”
Southgate admitted afterwards that the throw-in had been a turning point as his side failed to pile the pressure on Luis de la Fuente’s side.
In his post-match press conference Southgate said: “There was one moment where we had a throw-in in their third of the pitch and we definitely had an opportunity to keep the ball in that area of the pitch but we played backwards.
“And then there was a long period after that where we didn’t get the ball again. There was a turning point if you like within that.”
However, Southgate said the main issue for his side was a lack of energy.
“I think in the main, at the end of the game, the physical issues that we had probably took their toll. There were four or five players that we ideally would have refreshed at that point.
“We were very close before the goal went in. We were trying to get [Conor] Gallagher on for [Jude] Bellingham because he was suffering with cramp. In the end, I don’t think we had the energy.”
