We are 24 minutes into the Euro 2024 final between England and France. England are playing well. They look comfortable. They’re dominating possession and making all the running. They’re building from the back, almost toying with France, but then the ball comes to Harry Maguire. His driven crossfield pass, meant for Luke Shaw, goes straight to Antoine Griezmann and suddenly England are exposed. They’re over-committed and Griezmann has time to find Kylian Mbappé, who proceeds to burst past Maguire, shoot past Jordan Pickford and put France on their way to victory.
And so the inquest begins. Why did Gareth Southgate stick with Maguire? Why was he so loyal? Couldn’t he see it coming? Because everyone can see it coming. The warning signs are hard to miss. There was another one here in Skopje, where the stakes were low and the danger for England minimal until a misstep from Maguire in the 24th minute brought North Macedonia to life, a stray pass from the centre-back instigating an attack that ended with the locals baying for a penalty after a tumble from Eljif Elmas.
