A stoppage time penalty save from City goalkeeper James Trafford ensured England were named UEFA Euro Under-21 champions for the first time since 1984 with a 1-0 win over Spain.

The stopper denied La Roja captain Abel Ruiz from 12 yards in the 99th minute, before making a fine reaction save on the rebound.

It preserved an astonishing record of England not conceding a single goal throughout the tournament, while Trafford also became the first ‘keeper in Euro U21 history to earn six successive clean sheets.

Three other members of the City squad also played their part in a frenetic final triumph, those being captain Taylor-Harwood Bellis, Cole Palmer and Tommy Doyle, the latter of whom was introduced late on to see out the win by former City Under-18s manager, Lee Carsley.

Palmer played a major part in the only goal of the game when his free-kick deflected off Curtis Jones to find the back of the net on the stroke of half-time.

Spain certainly had their chances, the majority forged by the tournament’s joint-top scorer Sergio Gomez, but the City youngster ultimately had to settle for a runners-up medal.

It was almost a dream start for England and Palmer when he was inches from tapping home on the rebound from Anthony Gordon’s long-range effort inside five minutes.

However, the Young Lions, playing in their first Euro U21 final since 2009, were loose in possession, allowing Spain back into the game after a couple of early scares.

La Roja went particularly close in the 18th minute, when an inviting corner was swung in by Gomez and flicked just wide of the far post by Aitor Paredes.

Neither side could gain a foothold in Georgia though, with a few late challenges and bookings for both teams emphasising the caginess of the opening exchanges, despite the quality individuals in each side.

A moment of inspiration was needed, and it almost came from Palmer as half-time approached.

 

The winger picked up play with his back to goal, instantly switching the ball onto his left foot while turning away from Juan Miranda, before firing a stinging drive towards goal which was smothered by Tenas.

England went even closer soon after, with Palmer’s inviting free-kick headed against the post from Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, but the breakthrough would follow soon after, with City’s exciting winger once again at its centre.

After being brought down on the edge of the Spain area by Club team-mate Gomez, Palmer’s free-kick took a heavy deflection off Liverpool midfielder Jones, wrong-footing Tenas and finding the far corner of La Roja’s net.

With tensions flaring, the goal and ensuing celebration provoked unsavoury scenes on the touchline between both nations, with a member of each coaching team sent to the stands following the melee.

Spain weren’t fazed by the setback though, with only the offside flag denying captain Ruiz the equaliser when he headed home another delightful Gomez free-kick around five minutes after the restart.

The game remained finely poised in Georgia, with Jones forcing a fine save from Tenas down to his left after sparking a counter attack.

But while England looked dangerous going forward, Gomez continued to pose a serious threat at the other end, launching another fine ball into the far post which Ruiz somehow diverted wide from close-range.

The City youngster picked the lock once again with 15 to play to release Rodrigo Riquelme, but the midfielder snatched at the chance and fired into the side netting.

Palmer was replaced soon after that sight of goal after taking a knock, with Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott taking the City man’s place as the Euro U21 crown approached.

But City’s four-player representation for both sides was soon restored when Doyle entered the fray to help the Three Lions see out the victory.

England could even have doubled the advantage on the edge of stoppage time when Chelsea’s Noni Madueke forced a fine save from Tenas, but there was still time for late drama in Georgia.

It fell Gomez and Spain’s way, with VAR spotting a foul by Colwill inside the area with ten seconds to play.

However, Trafford stepped up when it matter, guessing correctly to parry Ruiz’s effort away from danger, before making a fine reaction save on the rebound.

Further chaos ensued, with further red cards handed out to each bench, including the substituted Morgan Gibbs-White at the end of the passage of play.

But it could do nothing to dampen a gutsy display from England, and a remarkable late contribution from one of our Academy prospects, who ended a 39-year wait for Euro U21 glory.

Congratulations to James, Taylor, Tommy and Cole for being named UEFA Euro U21 champions, and to Sergio for finishing as the tournament’s joint top scorer.