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 82 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Spain's turn to attack. Juan Miranda overlaps and gathers a pass but his low drive is saved by James Trafford.

  2. Postpublished at 80 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Into the last 10 minutes. Noni Madueke gets away from his man on the left but his low ball is straight at Arnau Tenas.

  3. Postpublished at 80 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Spain have men massed on the edge of the box to gather a semi-clearance from England. Gabriel Veiga gathers but his shot is weak and easy for James Trafford.

  4. Postpublished at 80 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Cole Palmer is back up and hobbling, the stretcher unnecessary.

  5. Postpublished at 79 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    This delay is going to result in some nervy added minutes.

  6. Postpublished at 79 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    It's all hands to the pump for England. Spain are pushing. They're also getting more and more frustrated at what they see as spoiling tactics from England.

    Cole Palmer has been down for a minute or two and the referee has called for a stretcher.

  7. Postpublished at 77 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    England are dug in, in numbers. But Spain still get a man in space in the box in Rodrigo Riquelme. His shot is awful, though, and sliced wide.

  8. Postpublished at 75 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    The game is stretched. There are going to be goal-scoring opportunities here.

  9. YELLOW CARDpublished at 74 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    James Trafford has now been booked for time wasting.

    Goalkeeper James TraffordImage source, Getty Images
  10. SUBSTITUTIONSpublished at 74 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Oliver Skipp and Cameron Archer are on for Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes, both of whom are on yellow cards.

  11. Postpublished at 73 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    A Mexican wave makes its way around the ground as Abel Ruiz fires another shot from Spain off target.

  12. Postpublished at 18:33 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    England 1-0 Spain

    Lee Carsley England head coachImage source, Getty Images

    England head coach Lee Carsley looks tense... a big 20 minutes coming up.

  13. Postpublished at 71 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Signs that England are retreating deeper. It's natural in the circumstances.

    It means they'll have a lot of defending to do in the next 20, though.

  14. YELLOW CARDpublished at 70 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Morgan Gibbs-White is the seventh man in the book this final after leading with his arm in a challenge.

  15. Postpublished at 69 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Oh, close!

    Spain should really be level, to be honest. Abel Ruiz is in space in the middle and more than capable of heading home from what is a superb cross from Sergio Gomez. He sends it wide, though.

  16. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 68 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Chelsea forward Noni Madueke is on for England. Not a bad (or cheap) sub to have up your sleeve. Emile Smith Rowe is off.

    England have just over 20 minutes to see out.

  17. Postpublished at 18:29 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    England 1-0 Spain

    England senior manager Gareth Southgate is in attendance this evening at the Batumi Arena. Wonder what he has made of the second half so far?

    Gareth Southgate watching England U21'sImage source, Getty Images
  18. Postpublished at 66 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Big save!

    Curtis Jones drives forward for England. He has men for company, but goes it alone and shoots low and on target. Not for the first time, Arnau Tenas saves to keep it at 1-0.

    Spain are committing men, as they have to, and it is leaving gaps for England to exploit on the counter.

  19. Postpublished at 64 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Big chance for 2-0!

    England get in through Anthony Gordon, who goes wide left. His cross is towards Morgan Gibbs-White in the middle but at an awkward height and the Forest player can't get his effort on target.

  20. YELLOW CARDpublished at 63 mins

    England 1-0 Spain

    Anthony GordonImage source, Getty Images

    Good work from Anthony Gordon. England are under the pump but are able to break through the Newcastle man. He has no support so draws a foul from Gabriel Veiga - one of three Spain players that have just come on. It earns the midfielder a yellow card.