Resented having to struggle to get into final (6)
I believe the answer is:
envied
'resented' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'to struggle to get into final' is the wordplay.
'to struggle' becomes 'vie' (to vie is to struggle or contend with).
'to get into' is an insertion indicator.
'final' becomes 'end' (synonyms).
'vie' placed inside 'end' is 'ENVIED'.
'having' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for envied that I've seen before include "Begrudged, coveted" , "Was jealous of, begrudged" , "Desired" , "Looked greenly" , "Was jealous of (someone)" .)