Euro 2024 represented the 11th time that England have competed at the European Championship since the tournament was first held in France back in 1960.
The Three Lions have had plenty of highs and several lows on the continental stage over the years, but have they ever won the Euros before?
Here, Sports Mole take a look at England's record at the European Championship and how far they have gone in previous tournaments.
Euro 1968 - Third place
Two years after winning the 1996 World Cup, the Three Lions qualified for their first-ever Euros in 1968, which consisted of only four teams and was won by hosts Italy. Managed by Sir Alf Ramsey, England lost 1-0 to Yugoslavia in the semi-finals before beating the Soviet Union by a 2-0 scoreline in the third-place playoff.
Euro 1980 - Group Stage
England failed to qualify for two consecutive tournaments in the 1970s before making it to Euro 1980. The Three Lions were one of eight nations split into two groups of four and after drawing 1-1 with Belgium, losing 1-0 to hosts Italy and beating Spain 2-1, they could only finish third in Group 2 and failed to advance to the final four.
Euro 1988 - Group Stage
Bobby Robson's England endured a tournament to forget at Euro 1988 as they lost all three group-stage matches against Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands and the Soviet Union, conceding seven goals in total, to finish rock bottom of Group 2.
Euro 1992 - Group Stage
Graham Taylor was unsuccessful in his attempts to turn England's fortunes around at Euro 1992 as they were consigned to another group-stage exit. After playing out goalless stalemates with France and eventual winners Denmark in their opening two fixtures, the Three Lions suffered a 2-1 defeat against host nation Sweden and subsequently finished bottom of Group 1.
Euro 1996 - Semi-finals
Terry Venables was only in charge of England for two years, but he inherited a talented crop that reached the semi-finals of Euro 1996 held on home soil, which was expanded from eight teams to 16.
England topped Group A after following up a 1-1 draw with Switzerland with iconic victories over Scotland and the Netherlands. Paul Gascoigne scored a memorable goal in a 2-0 win over Scotland, while Alan Shearer netted two of his four group-stage goals in a 4-1 win over the Netherlands.
The Three Lions then edged past Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals, but they were beaten in a semi-final shootout to Germany, with a certain Gareth Southgate missing the decisive spot kick to hand Die Mannschaft a 6-5 shootout victory following a 1-1 draw in normal time.
Euro 2000 - Group Stage
England would gain revenge over Germany with a 1-0 win in the group stage of Euro 2000, but that was sandwiched by 3-2 defeats against Portugal and Romania and prevented the Three Lions from advancing to the knockout rounds during Kevin Keegan's brief stint in charge.
Euro 2004 - Quarter-finals
England impressed during the group stage of Euro 2004 and scored seven goals across two victories over Switzerland and Croatia. The Three Lions qualified for the knockout rounds, but they were ultimately denied top spot by France, as Zinedine Zidane scored twice in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win in their group-stage opener.
Managed by Sven-Goran Eriksson, England would test their mettle against host nation Portugal in the quarter-finals. Frank Lampard scored late in extra time to level the score at 2-2 and take the tie to penalties, but both David Beckham and Darius Vassell missed from 12 yards as the Three Lions lost 6-5 in the shootout.
Euro 2012 - Quarter-finals
After failing to qualify for Euro 2008, England returned to Europe's biggest continental stage four years later and finished top of their group, after following up a 1-1 draw with France by beating Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine. Penalties were once more England's undoing, though, as they lost 4-2 in a shootout to Italy in the quarter-finals following a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes.
Euro 2016 - Quarter-finals
Roy Hodgson was hoping to go at least one better with his England side at Euro 2016 - expanded from 16 teams to 24 - and they were on course to achieve that after scraping through the group stage with one win and two draws from fixtures with Russia, Wales and Slovenia.
England were then handed a favourable last-16 tie with surprise package Iceland. However, they suffered arguably their worst humiliation since their 1950 World Cup defeat by USA as they were beaten 2-1 by the Scandinavian minnows, with all three goals scored in the opening 18 minutes - Wayne Rooney's fourth-minute penalty followed by strikes from Ragnar Sigurdsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.
Euro 2020 - Runners-up
England's first-ever appearance in the European Championship final came in 2020 (or rather 2021 as the tournament was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic) held on home soil at Wembley Stadium.
Southgate's side topped their group ahead of Croatia, Czech Republic and Scotland before securing a famous 2-0 victory over Germany in the last 16 and a thumping 4-0 win over Ukraine in the quarter-finals.
England then required extra time to edge past Denmark 2-1 in the semi-finals and reach their first showpiece of a major tournament since 1966. Facing Italy in the final, England made the perfect start as Luke Shaw gave them a second-minute lead. However, Leonardo Bonucci restored parity for the Azzurri, who battled their way to penalties and eventually triumphed 3-2 in the shootout to break England's hearts at the home of football.
Euro 2024 - Runners-up
England came up short once again in heartbreaking fashion at Euro 2024, becoming the first nation in European Championship history to lose consecutive finals.
Southgate's men were heavily criticised for their performances throughout the tournament, particularly in the group stage, but they managed to secure top spot in Group C with five points, finishing ahead of Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia.
The Three Lions then came from behind in three successive knockout matches, beating Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands en route to the final against a sparkling Spain outfit, who deservedly won 2-1 in the Berlin showpiece.
England once again flattered to deceive and after Cole Palmer had given them hope of a comeback with a 73rd-minute equaliser, Mikel Oyarzabal netted the winner for Spain just four minutes from time, bringing the curtain down on Southgate's reign as Three Lions boss.
body check tags ::
