The England under-21 team emerged winners of the 2023 European Under-21 Championship after beating Spain 1-0 in the final on Saturday, July 8.
Cole Palmer’s free-kick, which was almost the final shot of the first half, beat Spain’s goalie Arnau Tenas after rebounding off teammate Curtis Jones and landing in the bottom corner to give England the lead.
After the break, a goal by Spain’s Abel Ruiz, who had 13 goals overall in the European Under-21 Championship, was disallowed for offside.
After a prolonged VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty to Spain in the additional 9th minute of the thrilling final which was an opportunity for them to equalize and probably drag the game into extra time.
Abel Ruiz, Spain’s highest goalscorer in the competition, stepped up to take the spot-kick. But England’s goalkeeper, James Trafford stretched to stop the low penalty kick.
The block from 20-year-old Trafford, who is anticipated to depart Manchester City for Burnley in a deal reportedly worth £19 million, ensured that England maintained their one-goal lead as they went on to lift the European Under-21 Championship for the first time in nearly 40 years.
The victory over Spain means coach Lee Carsley’s boys are the third England team to win the European Under-21 Championship after the country won the trophy in 1982 and 1984.
The English team won the 2023 edition of the tournament by recording six straight clean sheets which is a record in the history of the tournament.
