UEFA Euro U-21: Compact England to face ruthless Spain in final

For the first time in fourteen years, England have reached the European Under-21 Championship final after beating Israel 3-0 in Georgia.

Meanwhile, Spain made light work of semi-final opponents Ukraine, beating them 5-1 to reach the final.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White opened scoring in the 42nd minute, directing his looping header into the net. His goal was made by Manchester City forward Cole Palmer. Gibbs-White had earlier missed from the spot in the 17th minute.

ALSO READ: England: Will The Three Lions Roar Again After Five Decades?

Palmer then scored the second before turning provider again, this time for substitute Cameron Archer who drove home the third.

Characterized by a formidable defence yet to concede a goal in the tournament, the Young Lions will now play Spain who beat Ukraine in the other semi-final.

Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe saw his shot cleared off before his effort was turned onto the post seconds later.

Very early in the game, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon was brought down by Karm Jaber for a penalty. However, Gibbs-White fired his spot kick well wide of the post.

England continued to probe the Ukrainian defence until Gibbs-White’s header finally served as the breakthrough.

England were simply brilliant against Israel

Israel knew they couldn’t contain Lee Carsley’s boys in possessing the ball, so they largely depended on set-pieces. They had a chance of their own but Jaber blasted well over when presented an opportunity from a corner.

However, their best chance of the game came when Dor Turgeman was played through on goal, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner. This was just before Omri Gandelman flashed a shot wide while inside the box.

After Palmer extended the lead, Israel thought they had pulled one back five minutes to the end of normal time. Unfortunately for the Israelis, James Trafford denied them from close range.

England, who beat Israel 2-0 in the group stage, made it 3-0 when Archer smashed the ball into the net.

Spain whitewash Ukraine

Meanwhile, Spain walloped Ukraine 5-1 to secure a place in the final that will go down on Saturday, 8 July.

Ukraine drew the first blood in the 13th minute through Artem Bondarenko who was assisted by Chelsea player Mykhailo Mudryk.

In a perfect response, Spain netted four minutes later when Abel Ruiz Ortega grabbed the equaliser. La Rojitas extended the lead in the 24th minute when Oihan Sancet scored Spain’s second.

Antonio Blanco scored the third for the five-time winners six minutes shy of the hour mark.

ALSO READ: Glory for Spain, heartbreak for Croatia as La Roja lifts Nations League title

The Spaniards continued to stroll, adding the fourth through Aimar Oroz’s strike. Oroz had only been on the field for nine minutes before his goal. The 21-year-old replaced another goalscorer Sancet.

Manchester City player Sergio Gómez scored Spain’s fifth on a night of complete dominance for La Rojitas.

England will seek to beat Spain and win the U-21 Euro tournament for the first time since 1984. However, that will be a tough one as Spain have an enviable track record in the tournament.