‘We met a better team’: Gutted England fans walk out of bars and fan zones after Euro 2024 defeat | UK news

Three Lions fans groaned and held their heads in their hands in despair after Spain’s second goal.

England fans expressed their heartbreak after Spain scored in the dying minutes of the Euro 2024 final to win 2-1.

Three Lions supporters groaned and held their heads in their hands in despair afterwards Spain’s second goal.

Fans at London’s O2 Arena began leaving the match screening before the end of the Euro final, heading for the exits as the game stretched into four minutes of extra time.

Most of the spectators at Boxpark Croydon in south-east London also headed for the exits as soon as the final whistle blew.

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

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

“He doesn’t feel as bad as he has in the past. The talent is there. He just needs to do a little more next time.”

Vytas Zemaitas, 28, who is half English and half Lithuanian, said he felt “terrible”.

He said: “The atmosphere was great, the English fans are great but it breaks my heart to lose.”

Fans looked dejected after the game, with many looking on in disbelief as they watched their team console each other.

England fans had paid thousands to travel by air, road and rail to Berlin for the match.

Those who failed to get tickets donned team jerseys and draped themselves in England flags, while some wore red and white face paint as they packed the designated fan areas.

Back home, spectators flooded pubs, bars and fan zones to cheer on the Three Lions.

At the start of the match, pints were thrown into the air at the O2 Arena and Boxpark Croydon as fans celebrated England’s first and only goal, from Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Prince of Wales and Prince George watched from a box in the Olympiastadion.

After the match, Prince William shared his condolences with the England team “we’re all still so proud of you”, adding: “It wasn’t meant to be.”

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The King told the team to “keep their heads up” after their defeat, saying in a message to Gareth Southgate and his players that reaching the final was a “really big achievement in itself and one that brings with it the pride of a nation. who will continue to roar for the Three Lions”.

Sir Keir said the England team had done the country proud, tweeting: “You did your country proud England.

“Congratulations Spain”.