Don't scorn Gareth Southgate and his brave players... England lost to Spain with honour and pride and they are still a generation that does not give up, writes OLIVER HOLT

When the final whistle went, his players fell to the turf in blank despair. Bellingham sits on the pitch defeated as England come so close to Euro glory An upset England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford looks on after the final whistle in Berlin A distraught Bellingham walks off the pitch as jubilant Spain stars celebrate behind him A gutted Kane misses out on another chance to win to the first team trophy of his career It's heartbreak for Kane and Saka once again – but they lost with dignity and pride Saka gets a big hug from England and Arsenal team-mate Aaron Ramsdale at full-time A livid Bellingham kicks over a drinks cooler at the side of the pitch as frustrations boil over Southgate was dignified to the very end – he and his players should be proud of themselves Some will pour scorn on Southgate and his brave players because they feel that England should be winning every tournament they take part in but the truth is that they played their part to the full in a thrilling second half and lost to a fine team. MATCH FACTS ENGLAND: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Foden, Bellingham; Kane Subs not used: Ramsdale, Henderson ; Alexander-Arnold, Trippier, Konsa, Dunk, Gallagher, Gordon, Bowen, Eze, Gomez, Wharton Goals: Palmer Bookings: Kane, Stones, Watkins Coach: Gareth Southgate SPAIN: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata Subs not used: Raya, Remiro ; Vivian, Joselu, Torres, Grimaldo, Baena, Jesus Navas, Lopez Goals: Williams, Oyarzabal Bookings: Olmo Coach: Luis de la Fuente Referee: Francois Letexier Venue: Olympiastadion Attendance: 65,600 Eviscerate them if you want in the midst of your disappointment but this is not a snowflake generation of England players. ‘He came into the tournament short on games and has not quite reached the level we all would have hoped.’ Nico Williams wheels away in celebration after scoring the opener for Spain against England The Spanish winger unleashes a wicked shot past Jordan Pickford into the bottom corner Kyle Walker can only watch the shot nestle into the back of Pickford's goal as Spain lead It took just 70 seconds of the second half for Spain to break the deadlock in the Euro 2024 final Cole Palmer screams with joy after scoring England's equaliser against Spain in the Euro final The 22-year-old hits a side-footed shot with precision from outside the box in the 73rd minute Palmer guides his shot into the bottom corner of Unai Simon's net to level the scores Cold Palmer! A perplexed Kane is shown the yellow card by French referee Francois Letexier Foden was presented with a chance to shoot at goal from a tight angle, but saw his shot saved Luke Shaw manages to evade Dani Carvajal before making a darting run down the line England captain Kane and Spain defender Aymeric Laporte battle for the ball in mid-air Bellingham is fouled by Spain maestro Rodri, which earned England a free-kick Rice darts past Fabian Ruiz in the centre of midfield as he looks to get things going Saka controls the ball and looks to get away from the oncoming challenge from Yamal De la Fuente’s side were rampant.