Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are under-21 European champions after England secured a 1-0 win over Spain within the ultimate on Saturday – all because of an ideal deflection.
Whereas members of Jurgen Klopp‘s squad returned for his or her first day of the season, each Jones and Elliott had one ultimate worldwide dedication – and it was an enormous one.
Jones remained within the beginning XI, as he has carried out persistently all through the U21 Euros marketing campaign, whereas Elliott was named on the bench as soon as extra for the ultimate towards Spain.
The Younger Lions had the early alternatives in Georgia however they didn’t discover the breakthrough till first-half stoppage time when Man Metropolis‘s Cole Palmer noticed his free-kick deflected into the online.
That deflection got here off the again of Jones as he stood within the wall – he was rapidly awarded credit score for his function, his first objective of the competitors.
The celebrations that adopted noticed the 2 benches come to blows, main Ashley Cole on England’s bench to obtain a purple card, as too a member of Spain’s teaching workers.
Cole Palmer strikes and England lead within the ultimate ?#YoungLions | #U21EURO | #C4Football pic.twitter.com/cUA9YDIGx7
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) July 8, 2023
England have been examined and had alternatives to increase their lead, Jones included, however they held on in dramatic vogue after a last-minute penalty was saved by James Trafford after Liverpool goal Levi Colwill conceded the spot kick.
The Younger Lions carry the trophy having not conceded a single objective all through the whole competitors.
Liverpool’s No. 17 performed the total 90 minutes and Elliott was launched to see out the ultimate seven minutes of regulation time.
Jones was spectacular all through the event in a deeper, extra central function which showcased his means to retain possession and recycle it to maintain his facet ticking. He racked up 448 minutes over 5 video games.
For Elliott, he took on extra of a cameo function having began solely one among six matches – however he heads again to Liverpool with a winner’s medal, a objective and 133 minutes to his title.
England’s triumph was their first within the competitors since 1984 – it means we may have two delighted younger Reds again in coaching after a brief break.
