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 31 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Now we've got some clapping from the stands as the fans try to drum up some action. It doesn't last long, though.

  2. Postpublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    England 0-0 Spain

    Alex Howell
    Football reporter at the Batumi Arena

    You can feel the tension in this match. It feels like either team is one pass away from being in on goal.

  3. Postpublished at 30 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Spain are marginally the better side here. It's a bit of a tactical stalemate at the moment, though.

    England aren't playing well, but they're a tough nut.

  4. Postpublished at 29 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    More loose play from England. Anthony Gordon has a touch of the ball but isn't strong enough to keep hold of it.

    Soon after, Morgan Gibbs-White gets in down the Spain right but is quickly closed down and easily dispossessed.

  5. Postpublished at 27 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    It's not really being allowed to flow.

    Morgan Gibbs-White barges Antonio Blanco, who rolls around after hitting the turf.

  6. Postpublished at 26 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    England v SpainImage source, EPA

    The crowd really aren't into this yet at all. There is a hum of noise around the ground but little proper cheering or chanting. Granted, there's not a huge amount happening on the pitch to prompt much!

  7. YELLOW CARDpublished at 25 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    The first yellow card is for Angel Gomes, who is a bit unfortunate in catching Alex Baena on the heel. The Lille midfielder has been in the thick of it so far. He'll have to watch himself now.

  8. Postpublished at 23 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Better from England. They try to chip a cross into the box for Morgan Gibbs-White but he is penalised for giving Aitor Paredes a whack as he rises to try and make contact with the ball.

  9. Postpublished at 17:21 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    England 0-0 Spain

    Alex Howell
    Football reporter at the Batumi Arena

    Lee Carsley is using this break in play to give instructions to his side next to his technical area. The Young Lions haven't been able to play their usual free-flowing football so far.

  10. Postpublished at 21 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Not sure this game has quite captured the imagination of some of the crowd. A couple in Spain shirts are engrossed in whatever is on their phone rather than the game.

  11. Postpublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

    England 0-0 Spain

    Gareth SouthgateImage source, Getty Images

    The top man is here.

  12. Postpublished at 20 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Oh, almost!

    The Spain corner is a good one, right into the heart of the England box. Aitor Paredes flicks the ball just wide of the far post with his head.

    Abel Ruiz is at the back post but can't get to the ball for a simple finish.

  13. Postpublished at 19 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Spain are getting a very advanced Juan Miranda into the game on the left. His latest delivery yields a corner.

  14. Postpublished at 18 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Morgan Gibbs-White can't quite keep the ball in as he juggles it near the touchline. England will want to get him on the ball as much as possible. He's a quality creative threat at this level.

  15. Postpublished at 16 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Spain are keeping the ball well now. It means England have to really prize possession when they do get it.

  16. Postpublished at 15 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    A few too many England players are not quite on it.

    Curtis Jones - so good of late - allows Spain to nick the ball off him and set up an attack that ends with a sliced shot wide of goal.

  17. Postpublished at 14 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    England could do with getting a bit of control here.

    England v SpainImage source, Getty Images
  18. Postpublished at 13 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Close!

    England courting trouble as they struggle to get the ball clear. Alex Baena gets hold of it 20 yards out and curls a shot just past the diving James Trafford but also the far post.

  19. Postpublished at 12 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Spain now the side doing the pressing forward. It's patient and probing. England are holding firm, though.

    Yet to concede a goal of course. It's not a record they intend to lose.

  20. Postpublished at 11 mins

    England 0-0 Spain

    Spain's first proper sight of England's penalty area is a waste. They feed Juan Miranda wide left but his low cross is easily cleared.