England U21s player ratings vs Spain: James Trafford's last-gasp penalty heroics secure European glory for Lee Carsley's brave Young Lions

England Under-21s celebrating
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The Young Lions have won the Under-21 European Championship after Curtis Jones' fortuitous goal secured a 1-0 win over Spain in Georgia.

England are European champions! Lee Carsley's Under-21 side defeated Spain in the final to win the tournament for the first time since 1984.

In a hugely dramatic end to the game, Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford - who is heading to Burnley this summer - saved Abel Ruiz's penalty in stoppage time to stop Spain scoring an equaliser that would've forced extra-time.

The Young Lions had taken the lead in a scrappy game that saw a total of 11 bookings and four red cards, including one for England coach Ashley Cole, with Cole Palmer's free-kick deflecting off Curtis Jones as he ducked in front of the wall before looping into Arnau Tenas' net. The result ends 39 years of hurt at Under-21 level, with Carsley leading his side to the tournament win without them even conceding a goal over their six matches.

GOAL rates England's players from the Batumi Arena on a historic night in Georgia...

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    James Trafford (9/10):

    Wow! England's hero, the Burnley-bound goalkeeper kept out Abel Ruiz's late penalty to win his side the trophy. Incredibly he becomes the first ever goalkeeper to keep six clean sheets in an Under-21 European Championship finals.

    James Garner (6/10):

    A lot of Spain's attacks came down his side in the first half and Paredes beat him comfortably in the air as he almost opened the scoring. Still, stuck to his task in that unfamiliar right-back role and played his part as the Young Lions won the trophy.

    Taylor Harwood-Bellis (6/10):

    Another game, another clean sheet for England and Harwood-Bellis did his job well as the deeper of the two centre-backs. Didn't need to engage as much as Colwill, but kept the dangerous Abel Ruiz quiet.

    Levi Colwill (7/10):

    He's a throwback is Colwill. No nonsense in his defending, often stepping into midfield to try to win the ball back. Unfortunate not to give England the lead late on in the first half as he crashed a header against the post following Palmer's deep free-kick. Had been commanding up until he conceded the penalty late on but the heroic Trafford spared his blushes.

    Max Aarons (6/10):

    A pretty quiet night for the Norwich City full-back, with many of Spain's attacks, especially in the first half, being focused down their left. Still, he was solid enough and helped his side get over the line to win the tournament.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Cole Palmer (7/10):

    Lively. Stung Tenas' palms after neatly cutting inside and firing at goal in what was a largely forgettable first half for England before his free-kick deflected off Curtis Jones' back and into the net for what proved to be the winner.

    Angel Gomes (6/10):

    Booked midway through the first half as he stopped Baena accelerating away on the counter - the Villarreal winger getting his retribution with a crunching tackle soon after that saw him carded too. Neat and tidy, as he always is, in possession before being replaced after 73 minutes.

    Curtis Jones (6/10):

    Mix-up with Gibbs-White allowed Spain to break in the first half but got away with it as Baena shot wide. A passenger for much of the first 45, before the ball smacked off his back from Palmer's direct free-kick and looped into the net. He's had better games but almost grabbed England's second with a left-footed shot that was well kept out by Tenas.

    Morgan Gibbs-White (5/10):

    Nowhere near as effective in the final as he has been throughout the rest of the tournament. Was inches away from giving England the lead early on - and diverted a presentable chance wide in the second half - but it wasn't the Nottingham Forest Player of the Year's day. Was sent off late on but he won't care too much as he gets his hands on the ultimate prize.

    Emile Smith Rowe (5/10):

    One of many England players to be wasteful in possession in the first half and was eventually withdrawn midway through the second period. Can't fault his effort but just couldn't get in the game as much as he would've liked.

  3. Attack
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    Attack

    Anthony Gordon (5/10):

    Forced an early save from Tenas as he cut in on his right foot and almost put one on a plate for Gibbs-White for a tap-in after. Struggled to hold the ball up as England found it tough to build any momentum in the first half and didn't really have a meaningful chance in the second before he ran out of steam. Goes back to Newcastle as a European Championship winner and the Player of the Tournament, not a bad summer's work.

  4. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Noni Madueke (6/10):

    The Chelsea winger came on for Smith Rowe in the 67th minute and almost scored, only for Tenas to crucially stick out a leg and divert away.

    Cameron Archer (6/10):

    Late introduction but didn't have time to do anything meaningful.

    Oliver Skipp (6/10):

    Came on to shore up the midfield as Angel Gomes tired late on.

    Harvey Elliott (6/10):

    Came on for Cole Palmer with a little under 10 minutes left and almost added a second as he flashed a shot at goal that Tenas did well to save with his right hand.

    Tommy Doyle (6/10):

    Introduced late on as England attempted to see the game out.

    Lee Carsley (9/10):

    What more can you say? England are European champions at Under-21 level for the first time since 1984. Carsley got his team selections right all through the tournament and his stock has risen considerably after bringing the trophy home.