"That’s impossible" - Graeme Souness left stunned by Declan Rice stat in England's Euro 2024 final loss to Spain
Former Scotland midfielder Graeme Souness cannot believe the number of forward passes England midfielder Declan Rice made in the 2-1 Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain on Sunday (July 14) in Berlin. The 25-year-old played every minute of all seven games for the Three Lions, including two extra times.
Following a cagey goalless period, Lamine Yamal set up Nico Williams to open the scoring two minutes into the second period. After squandering multiple chances to increase their lead, England hit back through substitute Cole Palmer in the 73rd minute.
However, La Roja had the last laugh, with substitute Mikel Oyarzabal - who replaced captain Alvaro Morata - drilling in an 86th-minute winner to condemn the Three Lions to successive European Championship final defeats.
Among multiple Three Lions players who underwhelmed in the game, Souness particularly pointed out Rice. On the Up Front podcast (as per TBR), he said:
“It was driving me mad watching their midfield play last night, as it has the whole tournament. I’ve been doing some research, Whoscored.com, a very informative website, question for you two muppets, how many forward, completed passes did Declan Rice do in 90 minutes? One.
"One completed, forward pass in 90 minutes for a midfield player. That’s impossible."
Rice's lone goal contribution at Euro 2024 came in the 5-3 quarter-final shootout win win over Switzerland, which had ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Euro 2024 final: Declan Rice's teammate sets landmark in England's loss to Spain
Although England endured defeat in successive Euro finals with their Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, substitute Cole Palmer was one of the few Three Lions players who impressed.
Coming on with 20 minutes to go, with his side trailing, Palmer hauled the Three Lions back into the contest with a fine low strike from distance after just two minutes of coming on.
That made Declan Rice's 22-year-old teammate the fourth youngest player to score in an Euro final. Earlier in the game, Spain's Nico Williams had become the second youngest player to score in the title match.
Palmer didn't start any of his five games at Euro 2024 but ended the campaign with two goal contributions, also setting up fellow substitute Ollie Watkins' winner in the 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands in Dortmund.