England U-21 player ratings v Spain: Trafford 9, Colwill 8, Gordon 8

Young Lions clinch 1-0 win in European Championships final in Georgia on Saturday

ENGLAND U-21 RATINGS: James Trafford - 9 His double save from a 97th minute penalty made England European Under-21 champions. Kept clean sheets in the competition, though Abel Ruiz headed past him after 52, but Spain’s striker was offside. What a moment at the end for the goalkeeper who will leave Manchester City for Burnley. AFP

Max Aarons - 7. Full-back who moved into more advanced roles in the second half, almost setting up Smith Rowe from the byline on the hour. Defence was key to stopping Spain. AP

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 8. Captain and one of England’s best players. Comfortable with the ball at his feet and also in the air. Became more important as a tough final went on. Getty

Levi Colwill - 8. Thought he had scored his first goal for England Under-21s a minute before half time, heading a shot down which hit the post. Booked after the goal, but excellent positioning and key tackles throughout, then conceded a penalty on 95 minutes. AP

James Garner - 7. Excelled as a right back in this tournament – he’d played in a similar role towards the end of the season at Everton. Had to be on it as Spain attacked mostly down the left, but he tackled well. AP

Angel Gomes - 7. Part of England’s Under-17 World Cup win, the Lille player was booked for a niggling tackle after 23. Stayed on as Spain quickened the pace to try and equalise before the former Manchester United player came off after 73 in a sensible substitution. AP

Morgan Gibbs-White - 7. Close, but not close enough, to meeting an early Gordon cross as England started brightly. The same pair couldn’t combine effectively after 63 when in front of Spain’s goal. Received the seventh yellow card of the game, then sent off after 100 minutes. AP

Curtis Jones - 8. Gave the ball away after 14, but was involved in the opening goal and Palmer’s free-kick deflected off his back and into the net. The Liverpool player broke quickly and drew a fine save after 64. PA

Emile Smith Rowe - 6. Showed the high technical level of the England players – though there was plenty of underhand tactics too. Didn’t impact on the game as he had in previous tournament matches. AP

Anthony Gordon - 8. First shot after four minutes, cutting in from the left and hitting the ball on his right foot. A dangerous cross followed. Sometimes too loose in his passing, but a threat who used his dribbling to beat players, even when he didn’t have support. PA

Cole Palmer - 7. The Man City striker turned and shot on goal in a first half which started amid excitement but faded into attrition – then made the breakthrough in stoppage time in the first half, his free-kick deflecting in. Managed to annoy Spain’s players throughout. AP

SUBS: Noni Madueke (Smith Rowe 66') - 8. Ended a Spain attack inside the England area. Full of positive play going forward. Made a difference as he ran with the ball at his feet. Prevented from getting the second by exceptional goalkeeping EPA

Cameron Archer (Gomes 73') - 7. Combined well with Gordon in a late England attack. EPA

Oliver Skipp (Gibbs-White 73') - 7. Became a European champion. Getty

Thomas Doyle (Gordon 88') N/A. Harvey Elliot (Palmer 88') - N/A. EPA

England held their nerve to win the European Under-21 Championship for the first time since 1984 as Curtis Jones's goal sealed a 1-0 win over Spain in Saturday's final in Georgia.

In a dramatic finale, Spain captain Abel Ruiz had a 97th-minute penalty saved by Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford to preserve England's record of not conceding a goal all tournament.

Lee Carsley's men won all six games in Georgia and Romania to continue a golden age for England's youth sides.

The Three Lions are also reigning European champions at Under-19 level and won the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups back in 2017.

Jones broke the stalemate four minutes into first-half stoppage time when Cole Palmer's free kick was deflected off his back and into the net.

Yet they had a reprieve five minutes into stoppage time, as Spain were awarded a penalty after Levi Colwill fouled Abel Ruiz inside the box, but keeper Trafford saved both Ruiz's shot and the follow-up.

"We've been talking about it a lot, and we felt it was our time to do it," England captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis told UEFA.com.

"All the lads have pushed each other when they've not been playing. That's something we take pride in."

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