Gary Neville has again been criticised for his prediction for the 2024 European Championship in Spain, following the final between Spain and England.
The Three Lions lost 2-1 in Berlin on Sunday night, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring just minutes from time to ensure England lost the European Championship final for the second time in as many tournaments.
They looked to have had the momentum when Cole Palmer equalised in the second half, but Marc Cucurella was on hand to provide a pinpoint cross which Oyarzabal tapped in from a few yards.
It was Cucurella who criticised Neville in the early stages of the tournament, with the Chelsea player’s inclusion in the Spanish squad coming as a surprise to many.
He started all but one of his team’s games and was the tournament’s best left back, helping Spain to their fourth European Championship win.
Gary Neville has again been criticised for his prediction for Euro 2024 in Spain, with reference to Marc Cucurella (pictured)
Neville (pictured) claimed that Cucurella’s place in the Spanish team was a reason why they couldn’t progress far in the competition
A fan told Neville not to talk about X ‘too soon’ after Cucurella provided an assist in the final
Neville, who worked as a pundit for ITV during the tournament in Germany, said early in Spain’s run: ‘He hasn’t been convincing at Chelsea. He’s played a few games towards the end of the season.
‘He’s aggressive, he’s tenacious, he’s a busy little full-back. The price tag still surprises everyone.
‘The Spanish defence has a lot of experience now, but there is something missing in Spain that makes you feel like they are going all the way. I have to say that his left-back position is a good example of why we think that.’
Neville was red-faced afterwards, but thanks to Cucurella’s assist, Spain won the cup in Berlin on Sunday evening, ahead of England.
Fans were quick to mock the former defender, with one fan posting: ‘Gary Neville said Cucurella is the reason Spain won’t go far, but Cucurella will probably be the architect of the winning goal against Neville’s England if it goes like this.
‘This life is not in balance. Don’t talk too soon.’
Another posted: ‘He just set up the goal to beat England and win the whole tournament,’ adding a smiley face emoji.
A third added: ‘Congrats to Marc Cucurella & Spain, condolences to Conor Gallagher & Cole Palmer. Quite funny that the ‘weak link’ Gary Neville picked was defender of the tournament & assisted the winning goal.
‘His bias is shameful and Chelsea fans should ignore him.’
Neville’s words were echoed by fans online, with the defender starting six of Spain’s seven games
Cucurella has had some tough times in his two years at Chelsea since joining from Brighton
Cucurella has endured an inconsistent season at Chelsea since joining from Brighton two years ago for £62million, with the club in transition under their fourth permanent manager since taking over that summer.
However, he was one of the stars of the final, with a passing accuracy of 92 percent, creating one big chance and providing an assist.
In total he made 50 appearances for the Blues, who finished twelfth and sixth respectively in his two years at the club.
He competed with Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill for the left-back position and was occasionally left out of the team, but finished the season as first choice and looks set to remain there after his performances for his country this summer.