Heartbreak for England fans at Montreal’s Burgundy Lion as Three Lions lose Euro final

The years of heartbreak, missed opportunities and failure to meet expectations continued for England on Sunday, devastating fans in Montreal who gathered at the Burgundy Lion — both inside and out — to watch the Euro final.

Spain won a record fourth European Championship title after an 87th-minute goal clinched a 2-1 victory over England, whose painful decades-long wait for a major trophy goes on.

Wearing red and white, many of them with the “Three Lions” crest on their heart, England supporters were hoping to celebrate the country’s first title since 1966.

The venue erupted with Cole Palmer’s equalizing goal in the 73rd minute, but fans ultimately left deflated after another defeat in a major tournament final.

“I think their offence was really good today on goal,” said Tara Ryan, a Spain fan, of La Roja, now four-time Euro winners. “England was being defensive most of the game. So it’s not surprising that Spain won.”

England were among the favourites coming into this year’s tournament after losing to Italy in the 2021 final, but a series of early uninspired performances left fans wanting more.

That was until a dramatic stoppage-time comeback against Slovakia in the Round of 16 turned things around. Gareth Southgate’s men followed that result with a penalty-shootout victory against Switzerland in the quarter-final, and a last-gasp winner versus Netherlands in the semifinal.

England has not lifted a trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

“I think the best team did win, unfortunately,” Michael Quinn, an England fan, at the Burgundy Lion told CityNews. “England really invited defeat in the end. There were some really good substitutions in the end that gave us a chance, but what can I say: the better team did win. Tough day.”

The majority of fans at the Burgundy Lion were cheering for England. After the game, there was hope their team can rebound from this loss in future tournaments.

“Gareth Southgate, the manager, takes a lot of criticism, but he’s got us to two finals,” said Quinn, adding, “and there’s great young, proper players. Saka of Arsenal is amazing and there’s lots of other great talent coming through too.” 

“I really hope they finally bring it home. They’ve been saying they’re going to do it. They have none yet, so let’s hope next time they finally do it,” said Kaleigh Wakaluk, a Montrealer originally from Prince Edward Island. 

“I think we need new blood in the England team. We’ve got the players,” said Andrew Walker, a Montrealer from England.

“I think we need a new coaching philosophy, a new vision, and maybe a younger coach with new ideas,”

–With files from Gareth Madoc-Jones