England have won the European Under-21 Championship for the first time since 1984 with a 1-0 victory over Spain in the final.

The win came thanks to a goal from Curtis Jones four minutes into first-half stoppage time, when Cole Palmer’s free kick was deflected off his back and into the net.

Spain’s Abel Ruiz thought he had equalised with a header from a free kick, but VAR ruled he was offside.

Five minutes into stoppage time, Spain were awarded a penalty after Levi Colwill tackled Ruiz inside the box – but keeper James Trafford became the hero when he saved Ruiz’s shot.

The England side did not concede a single goal at the tournament in Georgia.

Trafford revealed after the game that he predicted he would make a penalty save.

“I told everyone this morning I was going to save a pen,” he said. “When they got a penalty, I knew I was going to save it.”

Image:
England’s goalkeeper James Trafford makes a save. Pic: AP

Tempers flared on and off the pitch Saturday night, with a total of 30 fouls, 11 yellow cards and four reds handed to players and coaches on the bench.

England coach Ashley Cole and his Spain counterpart were dismissed from the dugout in an eventful conclusion to the first half of the match.

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FA chief executive Mark Bullingham later shared his congratulations, saying completing the tournament without conceding a goal was “simply remarkable”.

“The manner in which this England squad has progressed through the tournament has been hugely impressive,” he said.

“Everybody connected with the group should feel a great sense of pride for the part they’ve played in leading this age group to the trophy for the first time since 1984.”