From Spanish dominance to more English heartbreak: What have been the top 5 talking points from EURO 24?

Spain are a more than worthy winner

While the likes of England and France might have opened up this summer’s European Championships pencilled in as the standout title contenders, it was Spain who rightfully stole all of the plaudits over in Germany.

Opening their EURO 24 adventure with a major statement of intent on June 15th as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp against World Cup bronze medalists Croatia, La Roja embarked on a real fairytale this summer.

Securing a deserved 2-1 victory against the Three Lions amidst emotional scenes in Berlin, it is hard to find anyone across the continent that can argue that Luis de la Fuente’s camp aren’t a more than worthy winner.

Making real history 12 months ago as they got their hands on a maiden Nations League crown, Spain won all of their seven EURO 24 appearances this summer and broke a host of records.

Sending host nation Germany packing on July 5th as they snatched a famous last-gasp 2-1 win in Stuttgart, La Roja will rightfully be the poster boys of this summer’s tournament.

More final heartbreak for the Three Lions

Suffering infamous heartbreak at Wembley three years ago as they eventually fell to a penalties defeat at the hands of Italy, England were desperate to go one-step further this summer.

However, eventually slumping to that 2-1 defeat in Berlin on Sunday night, the Three Lions once again missed out on the chance to get their hands on a first piece of international silverware since their World Cup success way back in 1966.

Now falling at the final hurdle in consecutive European Championship finals, it is no surprise that there is a huge amount of scrutiny over Gareth Southgate’s future in the dugout.

While England might have eventually dragged themselves to Sunday’s final in the German capital, the Whites drastically flattered to deceive for large spells this summer and their golden generation failed to find any kind of fluidity.

With the likes of Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Ballon d’Or contender Jude Bellingham all failing to click into top gear, England will certainly look back on this summer as another golden opportunity that has slipped through their fingers.

France’s attacking issues on the grandest of stages

Relinquishing their world crown out in Qatar 18 months ago as they suffered a remarkable penalties defeat against South America giants Argentina, France were always relishing their return to the major tournament stage this summer.

However, although Les Bleus might have opened this summer’s tournament tipped as a standout candidate to get their hands on a first European crown since 2000, France failed to make any real impact over in Germany.

Eventually forced to settle for a second-place finish in Group D behind Austria, Didier Deschamps’ superstar squad drastically failed to find any kind of clinical edge in the final third.

Crashing out at the semi-final stage after suffering a dramatic 2-1 loss against Spain, that consolation strike on July 9th was remarkably the only goal that they managed to register from open play this summer.

With attacking talisman and new Real Madrid icon Kylian Mbappe making his feelings clear following France’s semi-final exit, it appears that Les Bleus are in need of some alterations over the next few months.

Ronaldo’s final European tournament ends in frustration

Watching Portugal embark on a stunning EURO 24 qualifying romp last summer as they won all of their eight appearances by an aggregate score of 36-2, the Navigators open their European adventure with the mood in their camp at a real high.

However, crashing out at the quarter-final stage following a penalties defeat against France in Hamburg on July 5th, it was a certain Cristiano Ronaldo who stole most of Portugal’s negative headlines this summer.

With the five-time Ballon d’Or winner making it publicly clear that this summer’s tournament would be his final appearance on the European stage, Ronaldo himself was clearly frustrated over in Germany.

With the 2016 champions failing to find the net in any of their final three European appearances this summer, the former Manchester United icon also failed to open his account over the past month.

Left emotional following his penalty miss against Slovenia on July 1st, Roberto Martinez’s decision to stick with the 39-year-old was certainly a detrimental factor in their lacklustre European adventure.

Belgium’s golden generation suffer another public nightmare

Making the decision to appoint Domenico Tedesco back in February of last year, it appeared that Belgium had started to turn a real corner under the guidance of the former RB Leipzig boss.

Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny out in Qatar 18 months ago as they suffered a major World Cup nightmare, the Red Devils opened up this summer’s tournament with a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders.

Getting their European adventure underway on June 17th with an infamous 1-0 loss at the hands of Slovakia, Belgium mustered just a single victory from any of their four showdowns over in Germany.

With this summer’s tournament seen as their golden generations final chance to get their hands on a maiden piece of international silverware, there are plenty of questions over what the future holds for some of their biggest stars.

Already watching ex-Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen announce his international retirement, there still remains plenty of speculation over if this will be the end of the road for Manchester City talisman Kevin De Bruyne.