Rio Ferdinand gave a crucial piece of advice to England’s players – only for it to be ignored in the Euro 2024 final.
England lost 2-1 to Spain in Berlin in Sunday’s big game. Speaking beforehand, Ferdinand suggested the Three Lions should focus on Spain’s young sensation Lamine Yamal in the final. Barcelona’s Yamal, 17, was the standout young performer for Spain. He scored a remarkable goal in the 2-1 victory over France in the semifinal and has provided several assists throughout the soccer tournament.
Yamal has consistently displayed his exceptional talent during the Euros, often cutting inside from the right wing onto his impressive left foot. Alongside Nico Williams wreaking havoc on the left wing, the pair were among the standout performers at the Euros.
In a pre-match discussion on BBC, Gary Lineker jokingly asked Ferdinand: “How do England stop him apart from lock him in the Spanish team’s creche?”
Ferdinand replied: “How do you stop a 17-year-old in the final of the Euros? It’s crazy that we’ve been sitting here talking about that, but you have to make sure that you get tight to him.
A shocked Micah Richards responded: “Bit over the top, that, isn’t it Rio?” Lineker then added: “That’s child cruelty!”
But England failed to listen to Ferdinand, as Yamal set up Williams for Spain’s opening goal. Although Cole Palmer equalized, Mikel Oyarzabel scored a late winner to claim the trophy for Spain. England’s wait for a major international trophy is 58 years and counting.