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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Matt Smith

Everton and Liverpool youngsters shine as England win Under-21s European Championships

England's under-21 side have won the European Championships in dramatic style, with goalkeeper James Trafford saving a penalty in the 98th minute in a 1-0 win against Spain.

In a scrappy, but watchable, game it was Liverpool's Curtis Jones that, inadvertently, scored the winning goal, as Cole Palmer's free-kick deflected off his back in first-half added-time and found the back of the net.

Some would argue that the goal was against the run of play, with Spain often threatening during the opening 45 but failing to test Trafford. Efforts from range and set-pieces would see the ball sail narrowly wide of the target on multiple occasions.

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With that being said, however, it was Liverpool-linked Levi Colwill that came closest to scoring while the scores were tied. The 20-year-old's header cannoned off the woodwork after he was found by Palmer from a free-kick.

A similar pattern emerged throughout the second-half too. Spain, who included Reds target Gabri Veiga in their line-up, probed and probed, but it was England who came closest again through man of the match Jones and Noni Madueke.

Under former Everton boss Lee Carsley, the Young Lions had not conceded a goal throughout the tournament's duration, even with Toffees starlet James Garner featuring in an unfamiliar right-back role.

Though, such an impressive record seemed destined to end when, deep into injury-time, Colwill was adjudged to have fouled Abel Ruiz.

Nevertheless, Trafford stepped up when he was required and denied Ruiz before preventing Aimar Oroz's rebound from finding the net.

At least three red cards were also brandished during celebrations in the first-half and second-half including ones for Morgan-Gibbs White and former Everton coach Ashley Cole.

Liverpool's Harvey Elliott and Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite were named as substitutes, with the former coming on with around 10 minutes remaining.

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