England vs Spain U21s live - Jones breaks deadlock in Euro final

08 July 2023 , 20:28
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The England under-21s lift the Euros title against Spain (Image: Getty Images)
The England under-21s lift the Euros title against Spain (Image: Getty Images)

England's under-21s have ended their long wait for a piece of silverware.

Lee Carsley's Young Lions have stormed their way to the final two of the Euros, winning all five of their matches without conceding a single goal. Wednesday's 3-0 win over Israel was particularly convincing as goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer and Cameron Archer set up a mouthwatering showdown with Spain, who are bidding the win the crown for a record sixth time.

Faced with Spain in the final, England won 1-0 in what was an incident-packed game. Curtis Jones scored the only goal, in a tie that also saw ex-Chelsea defender Ashley Cole being sent off.

James Trafford was the hero late on as he stopped a late penalty to secure victory for England on a historic night for the youngsters.

Goodnight!

Unfortunately, that's all we've got time for.

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The party looks like it's only just getting started for the England under-21s though.

Eyes on the prize

England vs Spain U21s live - Jones breaks deadlock in Euro finalJames Trafford after winning the under-21 Euros (Getty Images)

Palmer speaks after victory

Cole Palmer has spoken after this afternoon's victory.

Speaking to Channel 4, he said: "Obviously, it means a lot. Been working a lot over the past few years for this moment and it’s come so I’m buzzing.

"I was a bit frustrated with the way they were going down and screaming. The celebration was maybe a bit over the top but just happy."

The trophy lift

England vs Spain U21s live - Jones breaks deadlock in Euro finalEngland lift the under-21 Euros trophy (Getty Images)

Trafford opens up on penalty save

England stopper James Trafford has opened up on his key penalty save in the last few moments against Spain after saying he knew he was going to save it.

Speaking to Channel 4, he said: "I told everyone this morning, I told everyone I was going to save a pen. I told all my mates back home I was going to save one. And when it was a pen, I told everyone that I was going to save it so it was pretty easy."

Liverpool hail match-winner

Talking points

England are under-21 European champions.

Take a look at all of the analysis from the game in Batumi right HERE

ENGLAND CHAMPIONS

They've done it!

The full time whilstle blows in Batumi and England are the under-21 European champions!

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What an occasion for Lee Carsley's Young Lions!

Red card!

The Spanish are not taking too kindly to this as a player from the bench picks up a second yellow.

England are closing in on victory here!

SAVED!

Stunning from the Man City man as he saves Ruiz's penalty!

What a hero that man is! It's a stunning double from Trafford!

Penalty for Spain

Oh no! The penalty is given after the referee has a second look.

James Trafford, now is your moment...

VAR check going on

Uh oh, there's a penalty check going on.

Colwill appears to catch Ruiz with just one minute to go.

Into stoppage time

And we're into added time.

SIX minutes for England to hold on.. They're so close to being crowned as European champions.

Remarkable!

Well, that's just stunning from Tenas!

England break forwards as they look to round off victory. Elliott sees a low effort fizz wide of goal.

Madueke latches onto the lose ball but somehow sees his low effort deflected away by the Spanish goalkeeper's legs.

Late changes for England

Heading into the final ten minutes, England make a few more changes.

Cole Palmer has had to come off and is replaced by Liverpool's Harvey Elliott. Tommy Doyle also comes on for Gordon.

Ruiz tries again

The Spanish striker is certainly the main threat for England right now.

He picks up plenty of room on the right but can only blast his effort high..

England make two more changes as Oliver Skipp and Cameron Archer replace Gibbs White and Gomes.

England survive

That's another huge chance for Spain.

Sergio Gomez lifts a brilliant ball into the box and all it needs is a glancing header from Ruiz. He gets there but his header drops just wide of Trafford's goal.

In the next phase of play, he then tries a low effort that the England keeper holds.

First England sub

Lee Carsley makes his first change as the Young Lions aim to hold onto their lead.

Smith Rowe comes off in place of Chelsea star Noni Madueke, who makes his 13th appearance for the England under-21s.

Big save!

And that's another huge chance!

England break again and it's effectively four on two in the Young Lions' favour. Gordon's run down the left opens the pitch up for Curtis Jones, who aims for the bottom corner but Tenas saves.

England are certainly on top here.

Huge chance!

That should probably be 2-0!

Gibbs-White is released beyond the Spain backline but there's a bit of confusion as Gordon instead takes control.

He whips the ball towards the Forest man but he can't get his feet set and stumbles as he takes the shot.

Oroz booked

Well, what an introduction.

Just a minute after being introduced, Oroz pickes up a booking. The Spaniard was forced to take down Gordon as England put together a dangerous break.

Spain make changes

With 30 minutes of normal time remaining, Spain become the first to look to their bench.

Sancet, Baena and Rodri come off for Riquelme, Veiga and Oroz.

Offside stands

Following a brief check, Ruiz is elected to be offside.

England still lead but need to lift themselves if they are to stay ahead.

Goaallll...no!

Spain have started this second really well and think they have an equaliser.

Abel Ruiz runs free and plants a header into the back of the net. The offside flag cuts short his celebrations though.

There is a VAR check ongoing...

Second-half underway

And we're rolling once more as Spain get the second-half underway.

England are just 45 minutes away from securing the under-21 Euros title.

Cole sending off

Find out more about Ashley Cole's red card right HERE

Goal goes to Jones

Heartbreak for Cole Palmer as England's opener goes to Curtis Jones.

The Liverpool youngster looked to have got a touch on the ball as it whistled past the Spain wall.

The moment that matters

England vs Spain U21s live - Jones breaks deadlock in Euro finalEngland celebrate their opening goal against Spain (Getty Images)

Half-time whistle goes

And breathe everyone.

It's been an incident packed final between England and Spain but it is the Young Lions that lead courtesy of Cole Palmer.

Lee Carsley's men are now just 45 minutes away from glory.

Red card Cole!

No, not that one.

Ex-Chelsea man Ashley Cole has been given his marching orders from the bench for his reaction after the goal.

It all got very fiesty between the two benches after Palmer's opener, with a member of the Spanish staff also sent off.

Daniel Orme

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