Summary

  • England beat Spain to win European Under-21 Championship

  • Palmer's free-kick deflected off team-mate Jones to give Young Lions victory

  • England keeper Trafford saved 99th-minute penalty in dramatic finale

  • England last won competition in 1984 and were in first final since 2009

  • Final held at Batumi Arena in Georgia

  1. Thank you and a very good night!published at 19:42 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    That is all from us for this evening.

    Go away and toast the Young Lions, who have done something incredible this summer.

    Raise a glass of whatever you fancy to Lee Carsley, to Curtis Jones, to Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Levi Colwill and Morgan Gibbs-White and the rest. Make sure you take a special moment to hail James Trafford too.

    You can read our report of the game here.

    So that's the U21s added to the other youth teams. Over to you England senior side!

  2. Postpublished at 19:37 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    England win in Georgia with the trophyImage source, Getty Images

    That is fine way for some of these young players to end what must feel like a never-ending run of football.

    From pre-season of 2022-23 in July last year through to now, some of these lads have seriously grafted.

    But they've got a nice little trinket and some glorious memories from Georgia to show for it.

  3. Postpublished at 19:34 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    Let the record show that the Spain substitute sent off in the madness after the penalty save was Antonio Blanco.

    He and Morgan Gibbs-White took a red in that crazy minute or two.

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:32 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    #bbcfootball

    Peter: In the same pub I watched the Italy shootout in 2021. That Trafford save heals the heart.

    Fqiren: Surely that is another 30 mil added onto James Trafford's price tag this summer. Surely England's number one in no time if he gets a regular run of games in the league.

  5. Postpublished at 19:28 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    James Trafford has the trophy in his hands now. Boy has he earned his moment.

    An U21 European champion and set to be a Premier League regular following a £19m summer move.

    And most people had never heard of him a few weeks ago!

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:25 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    #bbcfootball

    Jack: Double save by James Trafford. That £19m looking like a steal now. Totally deserved - the best team of the tournament by far.

    Daphne and Doris: Forget Onana how about James Trafford at Old Trafford to replace De Gea?

  7. Postpublished at 19:24 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    Another nice touch from England. They place the trophy on the ground and hold up a number 8 shirt with 'Ramsey' written on the back. The Villa midfielder had to depart this tournament with an injury, but I'm sure he is bouncing around on one leg somewhere right now.

    England celebrate winImage source, Getty Images
  8. Postpublished at 19:22 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    Taylor Harwood-Bellis, tiptoes into the middle of the jubilant squad, takes a moment, soaks it up and then thrusts the trophy into the sky. Cue the confetti and smoke cannons.

    England have another group of winners on the board.

  9. Postpublished at 19:20 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    Now here come England. Lee Carsley first. He gets big back slaps from his team.

    England win in GeorgiaImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 19:18 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    Spain after loss against EnglandImage source, Getty Images

    A guard of honour from England as Spain make their way up to collect their runners-up medals. Nice touch.

  11. Postpublished at 19:16 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    It is some goal that won the final for England. A deft, looping finish from Curtis Jones off his back. He even had the temerity to do it without looking.

    Great assist from Cole Palmer too.

    Curtis JonesImage source, Getty Images
  12. Postpublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    Alex Howell
    Football reporter at the Batumi Arena

    England win in GeorgiaImage source, Getty Images

    What an absolutely incredible match. So many talking points. England are European champions without conceding a goal.

  13. Postpublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    Just in case you need reminding again, this is England U21s' first Euros triumph in 39 years. It is the third time they've won the competition, after 1982 and 1984.

  14. Postpublished at 19:08 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    The Spain players looked shellshocked. Can you blame them?

    Abel Ruiz will have nightmares about that moment at the end for years to come.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:07 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    #bbcfootball

    James TraffordImage source, Getty Images

    Fozzie: James Trafford! Give that guy SPOTY!

  16. Postpublished at 19:06 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    In saving that penalty, James Trafford has also ensured his sixth clean sheet. Not a single team has got the ball past him in this tournament.

    That £19m price tag is starting to look cheap!

    James TraffordImage source, Getty Images
  17. Postpublished at 19:05 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    FT: England 1-0 Spain

    What a end to the game! What utter ludicrous drama!

    James Trafford, take a bow, son, take a bow!

    Curtis Jones' bizarre goal wins it for the Three Lions but the England players all charge to their keeper at full-time.

  18. FULL-TIMEpublished at 90+12 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    THEY'VE DONE IT!

    ENGLAND ARE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS!

  19. Postpublished at 90+12 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Still we play. Into the 12th added minute.

  20. Postpublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    England 1-0 Spain

    Alex Howell
    Football reporter at the Batumi Arena

    Incredible! James Trafford saves the penalty. He has been superb through this whole tournament as England are yet to conced a goal.

    James TraffordImage source, Getty Images