Ian Wright could hold his tears as he make his post match analysis on reason why England lost
Ian Wright found it incredibly difficult to keep his emotions in check while reflecting on England’s performance in the Euro 2024 final against Spain. His passion and deep connection to the team were evident as he spoke about the heart-wrenching match.
England suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat in the final of the European Championship, a game that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very end. Mikel Oyarzabal’s late goal delivered a crushing blow to England’s hopes, leaving the team and their supporters in despair. This loss was particularly historic and painful, as England became the first team ever to lose back-to-back Euro finals. The defeat extended their agonizing wait for a major trophy into its 60th year, a drought that has weighed heavily on the nation.
After the match, Wright’s emotions were palpable as he tried to analyze what went wrong for Gareth Southgate’s squad. His deep love for the team and the sport was evident as he spoke, his voice often breaking with the weight of the moment.
In an interview with ITV, Wright shared his thoughts on the immense potential within the team: “You look at players like [Phil] Foden, [Marc] Guehi, [Jordan] Pickford, [Bukayo] Saka, Kobbie [Mainoo], [Adam] Wharton coming through, [Jude] Bellingham. These are players with incredible talent and promise.
“Being an England fan means you have to endure these disappointments and keep the faith. It’s part of the journey. It’s unfortunate, but we have to keep going. Gary [Neville] and I were discussing what needs to be done to ensure our players remain focused and continue to perform at the highest level.
“I believe the lack of a central figure was a significant challenge for us. Not having a focal point on the field made it very tough. No one can convince me that we don’t have the talent. We definitely have the players capable of achieving great things. It’s about finding the right way to harness that talent and make it work on the pitch.
“We need to figure out how to make it work. Despite our current disappointment, when I look at that list of players, I think, ‘Okay, we can bounce back.’ It’s going to be tough, especially since Gareth seemed almost detached from the team in his post-match comments. It’s concerning, but we have to stay strong and united.
“We have to rally and ensure that our young players, those in the dressing room right now, understand the gravity of this moment. They need to realize they are the future leaders who will carry this responsibility forward. It’s about instilling a sense of belief and determination in them. They have to feel this pain, learn from it, and use it as motivation to drive them forward.
“Ultimately, it’s about building resilience and fostering a winning mentality. We have to support these players, nurture their talents, and create an environment where they can thrive. It’s a long road ahead, but with the right approach, I believe we can achieve great things. We have the talent, the passion, and the determination to succeed. It’s just a matter of putting all the pieces together and finding a way to turn our potential into reality.”
Wright’s words were a mixture of hope and frustration, reflecting the emotions of many England fans. His passion for the game and belief in the team’s potential were clear, even in the face of such a devastating defeat.