Spain’s dominant midfield proved decisive in their victory over England in the Euro 2024 final, as they regained momentum even after Cole Palmer’s equalizer. Goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal compounded the challenges faced by Gareth Southgate’s team trang cá cược bóng đá, reminiscent of their setbacks against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup and Italy in the 2020 Euros final.

In 2018 it was Luka Modric. In 2021 it was Marco Verratti. In 2024… England breathed a sigh of relief when Rodri failed to reappear for the second half.

The injury sustained by the Spain midfielder provided a glimmer of hope for England fans. However, Nico Williams’ goal just 69 seconds into the second half quickly dashed that optimism.

Rodri’s substitution appeared pivotal as Gareth Southgate’s England, time and again at major stages in the World Cup and Euros, faced critical midfield challenges they couldn’t overcome.

Despite Rodri’s absence, they still couldn’t seize control. Spain’s possession peaked at 80% in the first half and settled at 65% by the end, but a remark from captain Harry Kane after the match carried weight.

Kane noted, “We didn’t maintain the pressure and our ball retention wasn’t up to par,” reflecting on why England couldn’t capitalize on Cole Palmer’s superb equalizer.

It’s a story that’s become all too familiar during the Southgate era.

In the Moscow showdown, Modric and his midfield cohorts Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Rakitic orchestrated an impressive 242 passes over 120 minutes. In stark contrast, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Jordan Henderson, and the late substitute Eric Dier managed only 153 passes. Henderson, particularly, struggled with accuracy, misplacing nearly a third of his passes during the World Cup semi-final. Despite England’s promising start, they eventually succumbed to relentless pressure.

Once more at Wembley, England seized an early advantage before relinquishing control. Marco Verratti orchestrated 118 passes during his 95-minute stint, while Jorginho fell just short of a hundred. Throughout regular and extra time, Italy completed a staggering 820 passes, whereas England managed only 426. Italy’s precision was unmatched, with 726 of their passes finding their mark, more than doubling England’s tally of 319 accurate passes.

In Berlin, England once more found themselves outclassed as their precise passing was overshadowed by their formidable opponents. Spain boasted an impressive passing accuracy of 89.7%, completing 489 accurate passes out of 545 attempts. In contrast, England managed a passing accuracy of 77.9%, connecting on 229 passes out of 294.

Southgate’s tenure has been marked by a commendable defensive record in the tournaments under his stewardship, complemented by a wealth of attacking talent, notably evident during their campaigns in Germany.

However, it’s in the crucial areas of the field where England have consistently faltered during pivotal matches.

The challenge remains: what’s the answer?

Southgate stumbled during the Euros when he attempted to justify a lackluster performance by pointing out the absence of a “natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips.” Many England fans actually welcomed Phillips’ exclusion from the squad, similar to Henderson’s absence.

While high-intensity midfield play has its advantages Gavang TV, what England truly needed to progress was a playmaker in the mold of Modric, Verratti, or Rodri, the standout player of Euro 2024.

However, Southgate’s continued loyalty to that duo, with Henderson still firmly in the fold as recently as March, underscored the dearth of clear alternatives to partner Declan Rice in midfield.

Southgate’s difficulties in resolving issues in that area of the pitch were evident throughout the group stages. A 12-month plan to utilize Trent Alexander-Arnold there was quickly abandoned, although not as hastily as the impromptu inclusion of Conor Gallagher.

At just 19 years old, Kobbie Mainoo deserves recognition for seamlessly transitioning to international football, mirroring his swift adaptation to first-team duties at Man Utd. There was optimism before the final that his standout performance in the FA Cup against Rodri could foreshadow a commanding display for his national team. However, facing Spain in this match appeared to be a challenge beyond his current reach.

The inclusion of 20-year-old Adam Wharton on the bench underscored the situation. Just six months ago, he was competing for Blackburn in the Championship.

Despite the talent nurtured through England’s youth ranks over the past decade, there remains a notable absence of top-tier technical players currently in their prime for the central midfield positions.

Mainoo and Wharton have the potential to develop into such players, alongside talents like Rice and Jude Bellingham.

Yet, the lack of such a player during the Southgate era has been a significant factor in their inability, despite their strides forward, to achieve success in crucial moments.