England’s goalkeeper James Trafford brilliantly saved the European Youth Championship gold in the final played in Georgia.
England is celebrating European Championship gold in the under-21s. PDO
England have won the football European Championship gold in the under-21 age group when they defeated Spain in the final played on Saturday.
The final match played in Batumi, Georgia ended with England winning 1–0. The only goal of the match was scored by a Liverpool player Curtis Jones in overtime of the first half.
The final had a stunning end, as Spain, who were chasing an equaliser, received a penalty kick right at the end of the match in the 98th minute of the game.
The goalkeeper became England’s great hero James Traffordwho managed to parry first by Abel Ruiz the shot penalty and immediately after the top spot from the follow-up situation.
Spain got a third goal in the same period, but this attempt went over the goal.
Ruiz had already got the ball behind Trafford’s back earlier in the match, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR check.
England won the U21 European Championship gold for the third time. The previous victory was in 1984.
England has won several championships in recent years, as in 2017 they won both the under-20 and under-17 World Cup golds. On the women’s side, England won the EC gold last year.
For men, England’s only championship is still the 1966 World Cup gold.