It's Not Just about the Italy Final: England's Most Heartbreaking Football Losses
For many years, fans wondered whether England’s loss in the Euro 2021 final to Italy was the most heartbreaking moment in the team’s football history. However, the truth is far from that. The journey to the final was bittersweet, but it's important to look back at the matches that truly heart enforcing for the Three Lions fanbase.
Was the Euro 2021 Final the Most Heartbreaking Loss?
Often, the loss in the Euro 2021 final to Italy is cited as the most heartbreaking moment for English football fans. However, this is far from the truth. While the defeat was certainly disappointing, it was not the most emotionally tough for the fans. It was the quarter-final against Argentina in 1986, the semi-finals against Germany in 1990 and 1996, the second-round capitulation against Iceland in 2016, and the qualifying loss to Croatia at Wembley in 2007, among others.
Why These Losses Are More Heartrending
These losses stand out because they occurred in important stages of the competition, often in finals or semi-finals. The quarter-final against Argentina in 1986 was particularly devastating. England was one of the favorite teams, yet they were ultimately outplayed for much of the match despite taking an early lead. The game ended with a penalty shootout, a scenario all too familiar to English football fans over the decades. It was especially painful because after the disappointing performances in 2014 and 2016, there was a glimmer of hope in 2018 and 2021, and England actually made it to the final in 2021.
The 1996 Semi-Final Defeat to Germany
The semi-final defeat against Germany in 1996 is another heartbreaking moment. This isn't just about losing in a semi-final, but losing in the semi-final in the semi-final round when you were hosting the entire championships. Furthermore, the competition’s opponents were Germany. England was the reigning world champion, leading the game 2-0, and was cruising. Losing on penalties just magnified the pain for the fans.
The 1970 Defeat to West Germany
The quarter-final defeat against West Germany in 1970 is yet another painful memory. This was one of the most disappointing moments for English football as they were the reigning World Cup champions. West Germany was the favorite, and the match was all but over at 2-0. Despite being ahead, the match was lost in extra-time, and the pain of defeat was not easily forgotten.
The Euro 2020 Final vs. Italy
However, it’s worth noting that the loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final is not to be underestimated. While Italy were likely the better team, the defeat was not as heartbreaking as the losses in 1986, 1990, 1996, or 2016. This was England’s best tournament for over 50 years, and the final was a chance to finally win a major competition. The loss felt somewhat more dignified compared to previous years.
Conclusion
When it comes to the heartbreak of English football, the losses mentioned above stand out as the most painful. While the Euro 2021 final against Italy is a memorable moment, the defeats in 1986, 1990, 1996, and 2016 stand out as the most soul-crushing moments. They underscore the high expectations and the immense heartache that comes with falling short in the final stages of qualifying and championships.