Greg . 3 days ago

'I think we were better': Spain boss Tome left rueing missed chances after final loss

Spain coach Montse Tome was left rueing her side's inability to take their chances as the world champions dropped to a penalty shootout by England in the Women's Euros final on Sunday after they dominated a game that completed 1-1 after 120 minutes.

The Spaniards possessed 24 attempts on goal, but England's grit and determination dragged them to a shootout where they came up short, failing to convert three of their four spot-kicks as Chloe Kelly fired England to victory.

"I think this team acquired more.

I think we worked hard for a long time to reach this moment, to reach this final against a high-level national team as an event and what we saw in the game makes me think that the team acquired it," Tome told a media conference.

"This is a sport, you must know how to lose, and today we missed the penalties.

"Spain's Maria Mendez and Catalina Coll look dejected after the matchReuters / Bernadett SzaboSpain took a first-half lead but England equalised through Alessia Russo and battled superbly to take the game to a 1-1 sketch and a shootout.

"I think we were better, but football is a sport where the best team doesn't always win.

England are an excellent national team, they showed their level during the tournament.

They sketch, and then they protect themselves to obtain the penalties," Tome said.

The 42-year-old coach could not conceal her disappointment that her squad possessed come up short of another major title.

"This is our profession.

What we worked for, what they worked for, acquired a different ending," she said.

"That's why today I have the feeling that we almost reached it, but it's gone.

I really value all the work done - we wrote history during the whole tournament, and the team was good," Tome added.

Read more: How England won an epic EURO final against dominant Spain