''The English would’ve gotten too cocky if they had won'' - Argentina star shares why he liked Spain more at Euro 2024
Argentina defender Cristian Romero has shared his surprising preference for Spain over England in the recently concluded Euro 2024. In an exclusive interview, he shed light on his choice and the broader implications of England's potential victory on the continental stage.
Romero is renowned for his tenacious defending. He played a crucial role in Argentina’s recent triumphs, including their World Cup win in 2022 and their Copa America victory in 2024.
In the wake of Spain’s victory over England in the Euro 2024 final, Romero’s remarks have stirred conversations around the globe. The match played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin saw Luis de la Fuente's men clinch the title. They registered a 2-1 victory thanks to a late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal (86'). It was La Roja's fourth European Championship, making them the only country to have won the continental trophy most times.
As a Tottenham Hotspur player, a lot of people would've expected Romero to root for the Three Lions in their match against Spain. However, the 26-year-old thinks that the English triumph might have led to an inflated sense of confidence among the team and its supporters.
The Argentine told ESPN Argentina (via All About Argentina):
"I liked Spain more in the Euros. The English would have gotten too cocky if they had won, and I’d have had to put up with them all year long."
The England national team, known for their passionate fans and high expectations, were one of the favorites to win the tournament.
How Spain fared in Euro 2024
Spain unarguably deserved to win EURO 2024, as they were incredibly impressive throughout the entire tournament. La Roja were the most watchable side and purists will be glad that they were the eventual winners. The Spaniards won all seven games they played in the competition without needing a penalty shootout.
England got to the final via a relatively easier route on paper. Meanwhile, Luis de la Fuente's men had to get past an impressive Germany and a high-quality France side to make it to the finals. They also defeated Croatia and Italy in the group stages.
Simply put, the Spaniards were the best in almost everything in Euro 2024. They scored the most goals (15), were the best pressers, and were by far the most coherent football team in the tournament. Additionally, they led the charts for expected goals (13.0). They also outperformed all other teams in goals scored compared to expected goals, with an overperformance of 2.0.
Following their Euro 2024 triumph, a lot of football lovers opined that it was a win for football.