Beat Spain, England Win U21 Euros

– Goalkeeper James Trafford saved a stoppage-time penalty as England won the Under-21 European Championship for the first time in 39 years. In the final match, Saturday (8/7/2023), Lee Carsley’s troops defeated Spain, 1-0.

The Burnley keeper saved from Abel Ruiz’s penalty, which was awarded to Spain after a VAR review in the sixth minute of stoppage time, and then held off a follow-up substitute Aimar Oroz in a thrilling finish at the Batumi Arena in Georgia.

In the process, he became the first person to guard the six clean sheets in the final to help his team to glory thanks to a 1-0 victory, having not conceded a single goal in the tournament.

Liverpool player Curtis Jones brought England, who played watched by England coach Gareth Southgate, winning at the end of the round. He broke into the Spanish goal after he deflected Cole Palmer’s free kick past goalkeeper Arnau Tenas.

England’s third title and first since 1984 on a dramatic night in Georgia. The game was marred by red cards for England assistant coach Ashley Cole and a member of Spain’s coaching staff. Substitute midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Spain’s Antonio Blanco were also sent off by the referee.

Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon made his presence felt from the start, cutting inside from Emile Smith Rowe’s cross to force Tenas into a save in the fifth minute. The rebound ball attempted to be used by Cole Palmer but failed to produce a goal.

Spain is not without opportunities. The cooperation between Manchester City striker Sergio Gomez and Braga striker Ruiz produced several opportunities and forced England to survive.

England winning thanks to the action of Curtis Jones at the end of the first half. He deflected Cole Palmer’s free kick and made goalkeeper Tenas off the trail.

England’s advantage lasted until the first half ended. The game took place exciting marked several opportunities that both teams got.

England launched seven shots on target, while Spain did it four times. Spain is actually more dominant in ball possession with 64 percent. But until the final whistle sounded, Santiago Denia Sanchez’s team failed to score.

This victory brought England to their third title after 1982 and 1984. Meanwhile for Spain, this defeat made them fail to increase their trophy collection to six after success in 1986, 1998, 2011, 2013 and 2019.