Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

James Trafford helps England U21s win European Championships with penalty heroics

talksport.com, 8 July 2023, 18:30
England Under-21s have won the European Championships for the first time since 1984 in incredible circumstances.

The history books will etch Curtis Jones down as the match-winner though his goal was a massive deflection but the real hero was James Trafford after saving a penalty in the last minute.

Cole Palmer's free-kick on the cusp of half-time hit the Liverpool ace in the back, which saw the ball loop into the top corner.

But there was further drama when Levi Colwill was harshly adjudged to have fouled Abel Ruiz in the 96th minute after the referee went to VAR.

However, Burnley's new £19million goalkeeper Trafford stood firm to deny the Braga ace before making a second save to make history.

Chaos broke out that saw Morgan Gibbs-White and Antonio Blanco sent off on the touchline as Spain, who had 20 shots throughout the games.

READ MORE ON ENGLAND

Ashley Cole sent off as England goals sparks melee between benches during U21 Euros final

Why do England have so many players older than 21 Euro U21 Championship

However, Lee Carsley's men shut out all attacks as they had done all tournament.

Incredibly, England did not concede a single goal throughout the Euros in a testament to the defensive partnership of Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Colwill.

But it was not without controversy, particularly as England coach Ashley Cole was sent off.

After Palmer's goal, the Manchester City starlet raced towards the bench to celebrate.

Most read in Football

England U21 1-0 Spain U21 LIVE REACTION: Young Lions win U21 Euros after Trafford heroics

De Gea leaves Man United, Chelsea agree to sell Pulisic, Rice and Timber to Arsenal latest

Ashley Cole sent off as England goals sparks melee between benches during U21 Euros final

Man United transfer news LIVE: De Gea exit confirmed, £45m Onana deal imminent, Kane swap

However, he was met with an angry Spanish dugout and a fracas broke out between both sets of players and coaches.

Cole was shown a red card for his part, as well as a Spanish coach, while Oihan Sancet and Colwill were both booked.

This was an English team littered with top-tier stars, including Emile Smith Rowe, Angel Gomes and Anthony Gordon.

But Spain came into the match full of confidence as the tournament's top scorers, led by Braga's Ruiz.

Nevertheless, the Young Lions proved resilient in the end and could have been 2-0 up after six minutes.

Gordon had an excellent chance after spinning his way toward goal but Arnau Tenas kept him out.

The Newcastle forward then had another opportunity before setting up Morgan Gibbs-White, who was an inch away from tapping in an open goal.

Palmer was the man brought down before half-time and it was his set-piece that saw England ultimately claim victory.

Top News

7 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The agent of Barcelona forward Vitor Roque has suggested his client will seek a permanent move if he fails to secure regular playing time. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Real Madrid forward Joselu. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United equalled an unwanted defensive record in the heavy 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham and Ipswich Town are reportedly both interested in signing Coventry City midfielder Ben Sheaf this summer. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace completed their first-ever Premier League double over Manchester United in astonishing style as they decimated the woeful Red Devils 4-0 at Selhurst Park. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres has refused to rule out a summer departure amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly decided against signing Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix on a permanent deal. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City head coach Enzo Maresca is reportedly attracting interest from La Liga. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly added Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy to their potential list of striker targets. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Six days on from a gripping Champions League semi-final first leg, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund reunite for the return fixture on Tuesday at the Parc des Princes. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United have announced that manager David Moyes will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two continental titans with 20 European Cup/Champions League crowns between them prepare for battle at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, where Real Madrid and Bayern Munich square off in the second leg of their semi-final. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cole Palmer has matched Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's record of achieving 30 goal contributions in his first season at the club. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been given an 'ultimatum' by the club's board regarding his future, according to a report. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly identified the Feyenoord duo of Mats Wieffer and Lutsharel Geertruida as potential signings in the upcoming transfer window. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Virgil van Dijk has stated that he is 'very happy' at Liverpool and intends to be a part of the club's big transition when Jurgen Klopp departs as manager at the end of the season. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The first leg lived up to the billing, and Real Madrid and Bayern Munich would do well to increase the entertainment factor in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday evening. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly considering selling Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho as part of a potential summer clearout to generate funds for new signings. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou was unbothered by Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal's on-field squabble in their 4-2 Premier League loss to Liverpool on Sunday. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Parc des Princes is the venue for this week's first Champions League contest, as Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund renew hostilities six days on from squaring off at the Signal Iduna Park. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A Peru international right-back currently making a name for himself in Denmark has revealed his desire to play for Arsenal one day. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly preparing to sell striker Liam Delap to the highest bidder in this summer's transfer window. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hinted that he will be remaining at Anfield this summer to help oversee the club's transition in the post-Jurgen Klopp era. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erik ten Hag disclosed that Manchester United's representatives have visited Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund to discuss the possibility of his return to Old Trafford next season. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Regarded as one of the favourites to conquer the continent this summer, the pressure could hardly be weighing heavier on the shoulders of Gareth Southgate's England ahead of their pilgrimage to Germany for Euro 2024. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United have reportedly agreed terms with Julen Lopetegui to succeed David Moyes as manager at the end of the season. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The continent's best will soon come together for the latest summer gathering, as 24 nations vie for glory at this year's Euro 2024 Championships across the German landscape. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez appears to have removed nearly all traces of the club from his Instagram account amid rumours of a possible exit from Anfield this summer. 6 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Six days on from a five-goal extravaganza in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final showdown, Club Brugge and Fiorentina reunite for their return battle on Belgian soil on Wednesday.
Sat 11 May, 16:00
A
Napoli Napoli
-
sch
Bologna Bologna
Sun 12 May, 10:30
A
Lazio Lazio
-
sch
Empoli Empoli