Cole Palmer snub and 2 other crucial mistakes Southgate made in Euro 2024 final defeat

The dream of bringing football home was once again shattered as Gareth Southgate's England fell to Spain in a thrilling Euro 2024 final at Berlin's Olympiastadion. 

Despite a moment of brilliance from substitute Cole Palmer, who equalised after Nico Williams' opener, it was Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal who had the final say, securing La Roja's fourth European Championship title. 

While the Three Lions showed heart, several tactical missteps by manager Gareth Southgate may have cost England their chance at glory. 

Let's break down three key errors that contributed to England's defeat:

Southgate's failure to maintain a grip on the centre of the park allowed Spain to dictate the tempo of the game from start to finish. 

This gave the Spanish side the upper hand in possession and created numerous opportunities for them to break through England's defensive lines.

La Roja completed 489 passes with a 90% accuracy and created a remarkable five big chances, which were more than twice as many as England managed with a 78% accuracy.

England's inability to effectively play out from the back against Spain's high-pressure tactics severely limited their attacking options. 

The team often resorted to long balls, playing into Spain's hands and disrupting their rhythm.

The midfield trio of Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham struggled to effect the game on the ball which saw England struggle.

Perhaps Southgate's most glaring error was his handling of substitutions. Waiting too long to introduce the dynamic Cole Palmer, who eventually scored, proved costly. 

Additionally, keeping a visibly tired Harry Kane on the pitch instead of bringing on fresh legs in Ollie Watkins was a missed opportunity. 

The decision to remove Kobbie Mainoo instead of Phil Foden when introducing Palmer also raised eyebrows, potentially weakening England's midfield presence in the crucial final stages of the match.

These tactical oversights ultimately contributed to England's downfall in what could have been a historic victory for the Three Lions.

Meanwhile, following the painful defeat to the remarkable La Roja, Southgate’s future as the England manager is now in serious doubt.

After eight years in charge of the Three Lions, the former Middlesborough man is facing criticism despite his relatively good record as the coach which includes reaching a second consecutive European Championship final.

However, the loss in Germany and England’s overall performance in the competition has cast a shadow over Southgate's future, with the lack of silverware reigniting questions about his leadership and overall ability.