It just wasn’t meant to be: Heartbroken fans are left crestfallen as millions who packed into pubs and bars across England fall silent with Spain’s 2-1 victory condemning England to back to back defeats in a Euros final

England fans have been left in despair following a 2-1 victory for Spain secured in the final four minutes by substitute Mikel Oyarzabal. 

Millions of punters packed into pubs and bars across the UK fell silent tonight, as England were defeated by Spain in the Euros 2024 final. 

It marks the second final lost under Gareth Southgate who was seen consoling his heartbroken players out on the pitch.  

Most spectators at Boxpark Croydon in south-east London headed for the exit as soon as the final whistle went.

Fraser Mullen, 40, from Redhill in Surrey, said: ‘It didn’t feel like the same old England. We just came up against a better team.

‘We defended really well. Jordan Pickford was outstanding. We made Spain look really average.

‘It doesn’t feel as bad as it has in the past. The talent is there. They just need to do a bit more next time.’

A small number of England fans lingered at the match screening at London’s O2 Arena after the final ended, staring in disbelief as they watched their team comforting each other.

Several St George’s flags were abandoned on the seats as the 15,000-strong crowd departed, leaving crushed and empty drinks cups all over the floor.

England fans filed out of the fanzone at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin after the final whistle, while Spanish fans stayed to celebrate.

Rhys Love, 19, who had travelled to Berlin with friend Sam Kelsall from Guildford, Surrey, said: ‘It’s disappointing but the people aren’t sad.

‘It would have been brilliant but it wasn’t to be.

‘Our trip was quite cheap compared to what some people spent to be here.’

Mr Kelsall, 19, added: ‘It was worth it to be here for that goal.’

Businessman Phil Riggins, 64, from Brockley, London, said: ‘Its typical of England’s luck. We just can’t find a way to get over the line.

‘I thought when Cole scored my dream was going to cone true. Spain were rattled. There were ten minutes when England’s name was on the cup.

‘Declan Rice. . . If only! That ball just would not go into the net and we had three shots in one attacked.

‘It is a real shame. Because I think that might be the end of a few of our senior players like Harry Kane and Kyle Walker. ‘

As he talked, he wiped tears from the face of his 11-year-old son Ruben whose painted on England flag began to smear.

‘I am in my 60s, so I suppose it’s for the youngsters to look forward and hope for one day to prove we are the best.’

Kate Schofield, 19, from Sheffield, hugged her boyfriend Paul, and wiped away tears.

The politics student said: ‘I’ve just seen England lose and some of the players were crying. I can’t stop crying myself.

‘It is just so sad. It’s been a great party throughout this tournament and we looked like we were going to go and win it. I can’t believe we are going home once again without a cup.

‘I phoned my mum and dad a minute ago and they were both crying as well after they watched on television.

‘They said as soon as they saw Harry Kane looking so upset , they started crying as well. I reckon everybody’s coming back home.’

Willie Jackson, 33, of Newport, added: ‘I suppose we lost to the better team. Spain has been amazing in nearly every game they played.

‘But for most of the game we were equal with them. It seems that we’ve just got a bad luck vibe about us

‘I’m just gonna go and get some drinks now and try and forget this pain.’

Graham Anderson,38, of Lichfield, said: ‘This is a horrible night. Every England fan has been broken by this game.

‘But tomorrow we will be proud of the team and Gareth Southgate. It has been an incredible run to the final.

‘At one stage we were about a minute from going home in one of the games.

‘When we feel better, we will give Gareth Southgate the respect he deserves.’

Alex Turner, 21, of Walsall, said he was angry with Southgate.

‘We spent a lot of money coming here. And Southgate doesn’t bring on the proven goal scorer until it’s too late.

‘He should’ve had Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins on a lot earlier even at half-time.

‘It looked the players were scared of losing, yet when those two came on we looked like we could win it. ‘

In Newcastle, tearful fans slumped to their knees as the full-time whistle signalled a gut-punch defeat.

Supporters crammed into a fan park in Times Square were left crestfallen as the Three Lions’ 58 years of hurt continues.

Traipsing off into the city centre, supporters hugged each other, disconsolate at the result.

University student Taylor Hesketh, 21, from Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside, said: ‘We stood off Spain and showed them too much respect and we got punished. But Spain deserved it. They were the better team and they’ve been best the team in the tournament.

‘It hurts a lot but I’m proud of the team. I’m proud of the fact that every time we seemed down and out we fought back. We refused to accept defeat all tournament and we got within a whisker of extra time tonight.

‘Right now it feels like a punch in the stomach. Losing a final doesn’t feel great – but at least we are in them now.

‘For years the national team has underachieved and now we are in finals, so I’ve got lots of respect for Gareth Southgate.

‘Even though we lost, he deserved a knighthood.

Around 1,800 Three Lions supporters sank more than 7,000 pints cheering on England in the outdoor fan zone.

Before kick-off fans were whipped into a frenzy after being shown a reel of crucial England goals over the years – including Sir Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup-winning hat-trick.

VIP tables – priced at £140 each – were snapped up as soon as the Netherlands were brushed away in the semi-final.

A string of tackles by Manchester United defender on Spain’s teen sensation Yamine Lemal, 17, were greeted by loud roars as supporters urged the Three Lions forward.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka’s mazy runs were met with cheers – while hands were on heads when midfielder Phil Foden connected with a free kick in the last minute of the half.

Fans kept the faith as Spain dominated possession and held their hands on their heads when Phil Foden tested Unai Simon with a half-volley on the stroke of half time.

But they were stunned into silence after Yamine Lemal opened up the England defence and slipped in Nico Williams to put Spain ahead two minutes into the second half.

Despite delirious scenes when Cole Palmer’s exquisite finish put England level, punters were drowning their sorrows at full-time.

Coley McFarlane, 22, a domestic abuse advocate from Middlesbrough, said: ‘I think we had a massive slice of luck in getting to the final but I’m still proud of the lads.

‘England had never made a final on foreign soil before and before Euro 2020 we hadn’t been in a final since 1966.

‘We are reaching milestones that other England teams could only dream of, so I’m trying to stay positive.

‘The World Cup is in two years and we’ll smash it.’

The post-match analysis took place in kebab shops and fried chicken joints as supporters debated Southgate’s substitutions and team selection.

Retail worker Josh Barry, 20, said: ‘I don’t think you could fault the players, they gave their all for the shirt and they were heartbroken at full time.

‘It’s easy to get disillusioned with all the money in the modern game, and it meant a lot to see them care so much.’

England fans in Newcastle were forced to be patient during a goalless first half.

Keen supporters at the front tried to lift the atmosphere by blowing a hooter but the tension was palpable.

Cries of ‘go on’ were shouted whenever Gareth Southgate’s men tried to push forward.

Steven Lister, 28, an engineer, said: ‘I think we are doing quite well.

‘Spain aren’t really threatening us. We need to keep stopping their wide players which we’ve managed to do so far.

‘It’s difficult to say what needs to change in the second half.

‘We just need to keep it tight and then go from there.

‘They can’t get the ball off Saka so that’s encouraging. We need to keep giving him it.’

Aaron Mokeller, 27, said: ‘I think we need to take Harry Kane off for Ollie Watkins.

‘I want to see Anthony Gordon get on as well to give us more of an attacking threat.

‘I don’t have much confidence for the second half.’

It’s the second time Gareth Southgate’s men have reached the finals of the competition, having been runner-ups in the last tournament in 2020. 

An army of 50,000 England fans have made the journey to the German capital in hope of watching the Three Lions make history. 

And at home, fans have been packing out pubs, fan zones, and streets in London, Manchester and Leeds. 

Meanwhile, in Newcastle boozers were at capacity hours before kick-off as footie fanatics bagged their spots.

Three Lions fans packed into a sold-out fan zone in the city hours before kick-off – and had already downed 3,000 pints by 6pm.

By 8pm, more than 1,800 will have crammed in to watch the match on a giant screen, where fans were whipped into a frenzy after being shown a reel of crucial England goals over the years – including Sir Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup-winning hat-trick.

Bar worker Tom Brodie, 30, said: ‘We will get through 7,000 pints tonight easily.

‘Everyone is in good spirits. No one is bothered that it is a Sunday. It’s like a Friday night in Newcastle.

Gas engineer Shaun Chapman, 26, from Middlesbrough, out with his mates for the big match, had a vision of how the final would play out.

He said: ‘I think it’ll be 1-1 draw and England will win on penalties. We’ve ridden our luck all the way – if we don’t win it this year, we never will.

‘But you earn your own luck – the players have refused to accept being beaten. If we do bring it home, then Gareth Southgate should be knighted and bow out on a high.’

Joiner Alfie Clarke, 21, from Barnsley, south Yorks, said: ‘Everyone is up for it and feeling confident. I reckon it’ll be 2-1 with Saka and Kane to score.

‘We’ve been drinking since 11am this morning – if we win we’ll be drinking until 11am tomorrow.’

Despite rain showers, crowds were buoyed up as an acoustic guitarist played renditions of Three Lions (on a shirt), Hey Jude by The Beatles and Oasis hit Wonderwall.

Newcastle university student Hayley Watkinson, 21, said: ‘Whatever the result tonight, it’s going to be a special night.

‘Gareth Southgate has had some criticism but the team has been getting better and better. We were unlucky against Italy in the final in 2021 when we lost on penalties. Tonight I hope that luck will be on our side.’

Leon Metcalfe, 27, a quantity surveyor from Durham, Co Durham, added: ‘I can absolutely believe we are in the final – we are the best team in the world. Southgate is a legend.

‘I’ve taken the day off work tomorrow because I just know we are going to win – 2-1 and a Harry Kane penalty in the 90th minute.

‘If that happens I’ll be out until Tuesday.’

In Manchester, the city centre was transformed into a huge fan zone as more than 4,500 England supporters packed out the Progress Centre in Ardwick.

A sea of white shirts flooded into the outdoor venue – less than a mile from Piccadilly station

The jubilant crowd, undeterred by city’s  gloomy skies and unseasonably low 16C temperatures, wrapped themselves in St George’s flags to keep warm. 

Among the punters getting into the swing of things was 34-year-old Lee Wright, who declared: ‘Tonight’s the night. It’s finally coming home.’

Speaking to the Sun, the football lover added: ‘If we win, I’m definitely pulling a sickie tomorrow.

‘It’s history in the making and I have no intentions of going to bed if we batter Spain.’

Millions of punters are predicted to take Monday off – with train drivers and rail staff across the nation having already caused mayhem after snubbing overtime hours, leading to hundreds of train cancellations. 

The Metropolitan Police has already rolled out an anti-social behaviour order across Westminster until 2am on Monday. 

It comes as large crowds continue to take over the centre of the capital. 

Glenn Sanderson, 29, who travelled from Southend-on-Sea in Essex to watch the final at the O2 Arena in London, said he is ‘confident’ the England men’s team can follow in the footsteps of the Lionesses.

The England supporter said: ‘I am confident, I wouldn’t say it’s a guaranteed win but I think the way we’ve been playing – we’ve been building up something for a long time, and today I think we might do it.

‘If the men’s team are going to follow the women’s team, the under 21s did the same thing a couple of years ago as well – it’s the next step in the progression of football.

‘If the women can win it – so can the men.’

Craig Miles, 36, travelled from Cookham in Berkshire to watch the final at Boxpark in Croydon, south-east London, as part of a group of 10 friends.

Mr Miles said: ‘I think we’re going to win. I think it’s our time.

‘I was at the final at Wembley when we lost to Italy three years ago. That was pretty painful.

‘On paper we have a better team (than Spain), but they’re playing better.’

At the O2 Arena in London, fans prepared for the final with a mass sing-along.

Wearing England flags, shirts and hats, supporters at the Greenwich venue danced and sang along to a live band performing karaoke classics including the Killers’ Mr Brightside, I Want To Break Free by Queen and the Human League’s Don’t You Want Me.

Fireworks and smoke went off at the front of the stage while lyrics were projected on the 16-metre screen behind the band.

Fans bounced big red and white inflatable beach balls around the arena and the band fired T-shirts into the crowd before the match began.

Elsewhere, streets have been transformed into a sea of red and white as neighbours hang out the flag of St George to mark tonight’s match.  

Meanwhile, the nation’s boozers are expected to have their busiest night in recent history, with venues are allowed to stay open until 1am.

British Beer And Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: ‘On what promises to be a hugely exciting day for the country we expect an incredible 10 million extra pints to be poured in our pubs this Sunday to toast England’s Euros final.

‘A huge £48 million in additional trade for pubs and breweries will be generated by fans across the nation.’

Fans have even taking to the streets of Benidorm, in Spain, with topless supporters spotted sinking pints in the 30C heat – while others celebrated in local bars. 

Celebrations have been taking place in Berlin, where some 50,000 England fans have travelled to watch the Three Lions’ historic clash. 

Pop group the Sugababes entertained football fans in Berlin as they waited for the final to start.

The trio, all wearing England shirts, took to the stage at the fanzone at Brandenburg Gate – where thousands of fans gathered with just under two hours to go until kick-off.

They performed hits including Push The Button and Overload, as well as a few lines of Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home).

Upbeat fans in both at home and in the German capital were confident their team could go on to lift the trophy.

Rob Cheetham, 24, from Wiltshire, who has camped in Essen since the start of the tournament, said:

‘I think the amount of times we’ve gone one behind and come back, no matter what happens in the start of the match I’m still going to have hope.

‘Even if we’re losing in the 90th minute, we’ve still got hope that we can bring it back at the end.’

At the O2 Arena in London, groups of supporters sporting England shirts and cloaked in St George’s flags chanted ‘football’s coming home’ as they banged the roof of a Jubilee line tube carriage while travelling to the north Greenwich venue.

Choruses of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline and Blur’s Parklife could be heard outside the arena as fans photos together before the final.

On the streets and plazas of Berlin, England fans appeared to hopelessly outnumber their Spanish opposition. Before midday, Three Lions followers were gathered at the trendy Hackescher Markt where bars were already doing a roaring trade. At Kilkenny’s Irish bar underneath the railway arches, supporters enjoyed a singalong to Oasis’ classic Don’t Look Back in Anger.

Outside the bar, brothers Tom and Louis Youster said they travelled out with a third sibling, Charlie, 21, after securing tickets on the Viagogo resale website – paid for by their father – at a cost of £1,200 each.

Charlie had only just returned home to Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, from the semi-final in Dortmund when the tickets were secured. ‘He only had a few hours in the house and then it was time to turn around and head back to the airport, with us this time’, Tom, a 23-year-old data analyst said.

‘He didn’t think we’d be able to get tickets for the final, otherwise he’d have stayed.’

He said he was ‘hopeful’ of victory but acknowledged that Spain were ‘the best team we’ve faced. Tom said of manager Gareth Southgate: ‘You can’t question him, he’s got us to the final.’

‘Louis, 17, added: ‘I think we’ve got enough in this team to win.’

At the riverside Friedrichstadt neighborhood nearby, fans from Portsmouth to Chesterfield had hung Cross of St George flag along the side of the bridge over the River Spree, where tourist boats passed underneath.

When one party boat passed by, England fans outside Murphy’s Irish bar on the bank of the river changed ‘Eng-ger-land, Eng-ger-land, Eng-ger-land’ at the boat, as the passengers on board waved and clapped. The occasional German passer-by was treated to a rendition of ‘You’re s*** but you’re birds are fit’ by the bare-chested or replica shirt-wearing crowd.

On the bridge, Newcastle fan Oliver Colligan was taking in the atmosphere, safe in the knowledge he had a €95 (£80) Fans First ticket, affordable seats behind the goal which are reserved for members of the England supporter’s travel club.

Mr Colligan, from Newcastle, said his pregnant girlfriend was desperate for him to return home after England’s semi-final, only for the team to win through to today’s showpiece event.

‘She’s looking after my golden retriever, Bruno, who is named after Newcastle United star Bruno Guimarães. The dog is a bit of a livewire as he’s still in the puppy phase. I think she could do with the help.’

As for the team’s prospects, he added: ‘I feel like we will find a way to win tonight, because that’s what we’ve done throughout the tournament.

‘I don’t care if it’s an own goal or penalties, or the ball comes off somebody’s arse and goes in the net, as long as we win.’

As he spoke, England fans Katie Hicks, 41, and husband Adrian came over the bridge on electric scooters on their way to a German bar nearby.

The scooters have proved a popular way to travel around host cities and two and from stadiums for fans on England’s run to the final.

Ms Hicks, from Doncaster, a head of procurement, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, said she booked the weekend away for her partner’s 43rd birthday long before the tournament began, and didn’t realise the weekend might clash with the final.

Mr Hicks, a land surveyor, said ‘We’re really excited. It couldn’t have worked out better – being in Berlin for the final.’

Across the road at an Italian restaurant, best friends Julian Swann and Matt Hill – and Mr Hill’s girlfriend Kathryne Walsh, all from Shirley, Solihull – posed as English knights in chainmail costumes.

Asked if Gareth Southgate should be knighted if England bring the trophy home tonight, Mr Hill bellowed: ‘Of course he should – and I will do it!’ before raising his inflatable sword.

Mr Swann, a father-of-one working in the energy sector, said of the team’s prospects tonight: ‘I think we will win 3-1. There’ll be no need for extra time.’

Ms Walsh, a pub landlady, agreed and said: ‘Yes, we’re bringing it home!’

Property developer Monty Wouhra, 55, who with friends unfurled the flag with a knighted Gareth Southgate on it, said: ‘Fair play to the man.

‘He has taken a lot of stick during this tournament and when you look back today, it was really unfair.

‘Gareth, or ‘Sir Gareth’ as we prefer to call him, has completed what seemed like a mission impossible. He has taken us to another final and whatever happens, he deserves to be knighted.’  

Another England fan James Funge flew into Berlin from Sydney on a journey which took him 29 hours, and said: ‘It is a no brainer… Sir Gareth and it sounds so good.

‘This bloke has had to put up with so much over the years and has still taken us to two Euro finals and a World Cup semi-final.’

In a video posted on social media by the England football team, Southgate said: ‘To all of the fans that travelled to the games, I know there have been some epic journeys, hours and hours of travel, so grateful for that support.

‘It’s meant so much to us in the stadium, and it’s so important for the players, so same again please for the final.

‘To everybody at home, we’ve for a long time wanted to create memories for everybody.

‘I think we’ve had a lot over the last seven, eight years. This tournament has thrown up more, the knockout phase in particular.

‘I think we’ve shown amazing resilience, never say die spirit, composure under pressure at different moments.

‘So, we’re looking forward to this challenge. We know we’ve got to be exceptional again against Spain. But we’re in here fighting and we hope to do you proud again.’

Speaking during a press conference on Saturday evening, Southgate said the team were aware of what a victory would mean to the nation.

Captain Harry Kane told the press conference he is ‘extremely proud to be English’, saying a win would be ‘incredible’ for fans.

The Prince of Wales, who will attend the match, said in a social media post on Saturday: ‘We are so proud of you all England, just one last push to finish the job!

‘Go out there and show the world what you’re made of. We believe. W.’

William, who is president of the Football Association, attended England’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland a week ago and the group stage game against Denmark, and was seen cheering in the stands.

His father, the King, also commended the team after their 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands on Wednesday – but quipped that they should avoid more last-minute drama.

In a message to Southgate’s side, Charles sent the players the royal family‘s ‘very best wishes’ and ‘warmest congratulations’.

He added: ‘If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated!

‘Good luck, England.’

In a good luck message, Sir Keir Starmer, writing to ‘Gareth and all the England team’, said: ‘You should all be proud of what you’ve achieved so far, and I hope you can take some strength from the millions at home kicking every ball alongside you.’

The men’s side have never won a European Championship, with the World Cup win in 1966 their last and only major silverware.

It is the first time the men’s side has reached a final outside England.