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. Postpublished at 90+10 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    We've got red cards cascading out the refs pocket now.

    The two sets of players and staff are off the bench, into each other. Morgan Gibbs-White is one of the men sent off. He was subbed in the second half. There are others, though, but we'll need to pick the bits out of that at a later point.

    The game is still active. England need to keep their heads.

  2. SAVED PENALTYpublished at 90+8 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    HE'S SAVED IT!!!!! HE'S SAVED IT!!!!!!

    James Trafford goes the right way to stop the kick. He is then aware enough to get himself in position to block the follow-up from Aimar Oroz. Spain have another chance but they fluff it over.

    It's brilliant. Just brilliant!

    England are surely going to be European champions now!

  3. Postpublished at 90+7 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    All on you, James Trafford.

  4. PENALTY TO SPAINpublished at 90+6 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    High, high, high drama!

    England were seconds away!

  5. VAR

    Video Assistant Refereepublished at 90+6 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    OH WOW!

    The referee is coming to the touchline to check the monitor for a potential foul by England in the box.

    It is for Levi Colwill's challenge on Abel Ruiz. And I have to say, he catches him...

    Referee Espen EskasImage source, Getty Images
  6. Postpublished at 90+5 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    James Trafford is fouled in the box and England have a free-kick.

    They're seconds away.

  7. Postpublished at 90+5 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Levi Colwill stands tall. The ball comes in to Abel Ruiz but the Chelsea defender sees off the danger.

  8. Postpublished at 90+4 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    In the ball comes again but an England head gets there first and James Trafford claims before dropping to the turf to eat into seconds.

  9. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Curtis Jones hammers the ball away, but it coming straight back.

  10. Postpublished at 90+2 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    There's 11 English players in and around their own box.

  11. Postpublished at 90+2 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    A third of the added time is gone. England are holding Spain out.

  12. INJURY TIMEpublished at 90 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    SIX more minutes to play. How's your nerves?

  13. Postpublished at 89 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Off the line!

    England break and after Harvey Elliott's effort is saved Noni Madueke thinks all he has to do is roll the ball home. He finds the target but Arnau Tenas gets back to clear with his feet!

  14. Postpublished at 89 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Spain are getting more and more desperate. Sergio Gomez takes a speculative punt from range and it trickles wide.

  15. Postpublished at 88 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    It's all about staying switched on, keeping your discipline. England have been near perfect defensively this tournament. Can they complete the job.

    Two minutes of normal time left.

    Harwood Bellis for EnglandImage source, Getty Images
  16. Postpublished at 86 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Spain almost gift England a chance as keeper and defender Jon Pacheco nearly fluff a link up. Cameron Archer is sniffing but he can't quite control. He would have been in otherwise.

  17. Postpublished at 85 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Tense stuff now.

    England are five minutes away. They have their backs to the wall.

  18. Postpublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    England 1-0 Spain

    Spain head coach Santi Denia is getting animated in the dugout - his team have less than ten minutes to get a goal...

    Spain Head Coach Santi DeniaImage source, Getty Images
  19. Postpublished at 84 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Some tired limbs and minds now.

    England switch off but Spain can't capitalise as the ball makes its way to Gabriel Veiga in the box for an overhead kick that he blazes over.

  20. SUBSTITUTIONSpublished at 83 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Harvey Elliott joins the action for England, as does Tommy Doyle. Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon are off.

    Spain send on Sergio Camello for Antonio Blanco.