Hodgson despondent as late goal ends Fulham's Euro dream

Diego Forlan's second goal of the game shattered Hodgson's men three minutes from time, ending Fulham's hopes of a trophy on the biggest night in their history. At some point in the summer, Hodgson will no doubt reflect on a job well done, but right now it is hard to see it.

"I couldn't in my wildest dreams imagine we would get here when we started," Hodgson admitted. "But, unfortunately, that doesn't help. Having been here and acquitted ourselves so well, you feel we could have taken a further step.

"It doesn't matter how much comfort I try to find, it is difficult to find joy or enthusiasm because a great performance has gone unrewarded."

Fulham responded to Forlan's first-half opener with a crisp volley from Simon Davies, but they had no answer to the Uruguayan's second effort, which left the Fulham supporters to debate their manager's future.

As Rafael Benitez continues to find himself on rocky ground at Liverpool, it is hardly surprising the former Switzerland coach has been linked with the Anfield hot-seat. However, although he did not quite close the door on a potential departure, his words still had a reassuring air.

"I have never given my future a moment's thought," Hodgson said. "I have been committed all the time I have been with the club. I still have a contract and, as far as I know, this is where I shall be."

Davies admitted he might appreciate the enormity of the team's achievements once defeat has sunk in, but it was still too raw immediately after the game. He said: "Getting so close to penalties, we were hanging on a little bit. We were hanging on and looking to try our luck there. It's a shame to get so close but once we get home after a few days we'll feel like we achieved something, but now it is very painful.

"Scoring in a big final I'll be very proud in years to come but now it is really hard. We were so close but we must congratulate Atletico."