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Spain 2-1 England

England manager Gareth Southgate found out to his cost what us Hammers fans already know: You need a West Ham player in your team if you’re going to win a major tournament.

In all seriousness, though, this was more of the same from England: more heartbreak, more disappointment, with many of the same problems remaining.

It doesn’t seem to matter who the manager is or how talented the players are, England has a problem passing the football. Even with the score at 1-1 in the second half, England’s tactic was to hoof it long from the boot of Jordan Pickford.

I’m quite certain that would not have been the tactic when Southgate planned his strategy for this game. However, it seems to be something that is so ingrained in the English psyche that we can’t help but retreat ever deeper and launch long balls in the hope of a lucky bounce.

That is no criticism of Pickford himself, who pulled off some miraculous saves. Like many of his teammates, he tried his best and, realistically, the finest team in the tournament won the trophy, so no complaints in that regard.

But until England finds a way of producing more technical midfield players and a coaching framework at the top level which allows them to flourish in possession rather than panic, I fear the Three Lions are destined to repeat the same mistakes.

Southgate and his England squad did remarkably well to reach the final and in many respects have made the country proud again. But the team never truly fired on all cylinders or clicked in the way so many other teams in this tournament have. There have been some excellent individual performances, but that’s what England seems to be: a team of individuals.

Some bravery, plenty of drama, and some excellent highlights on the way to the final in Berlin. Unfortunately, the campaign was punctuated with far too many last-gasp rescue attempts and amazing feats of escapology. Against the very best team in the tournament, England ran out of luck, inspiration, and when one more prison escape was required, there was nothing left in the tank.

While England were brave and fell at the final hurdle, there was an element of naivety and stupidity in the tactics too. Ultimately, England will need some big changes if we are to turn from plucky losers to regular winners.