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Richard Buxton·5 July 2023
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Richard Buxton·5 July 2023
The line-up for the Euro U21s final was confirmed on Wednesday.
Here’s what went down.
Scorers: Ruiz 17′, Sancet 24′, Blanco 54, Oroz 68′, Gómez 77′; Bondarenko 14′
Spain reached a ninth Euro U21s final after their five-goal dismantling of Ukraine.
Both teams reproduced their pulsating Group B finale during an action-packed first half.
Artem Bondarenko opened the scoring after barely a quarter of an hour’s play with a sweeping strike from Mykhailo Mudryk’s delivery.
But La Rojita struck back inside three minutes as Víctor Gómez teed up Abel Ruiz to level up the last-four showdown.
They were soon deservedly ahead courtesy of a well-taken drilled strike from Oihan Sancet on the edge of the penalty area.
Antonio Blanco assured his country’s place in Saturday’s showpiece after stealing possession and drilling past Anatoliy Trubin.
A further touch of gloss was applied by Aimar Oroz, who curled a superb long-range effort home midway through the second half.
Worse would follow for Ukraine as Sergio Gómez racked up his third goal in four Euro U21 outings to become the tournament’s joint-top scorer.
Santi Denia’s side could set a new U21s record by claiming a sixth European title if they triumph over England in Batumi.
Scorers: Gibbs-White 42′, Palmer 63′, Archer 90′
England booked their first Euros showpiece appearance since 2009 with a 3-0 win over Israel.
Lee Carsley’s side missed the chance to take an early lead when Morgan Gibbs-White sent his penalty wide after Karem Jaber’s foul on Anthony Gordon
But the Nottingham Forest midfielder found redemption just minutes from the interval through a looping header from Cole Palmer’s ball over the top.
Palmer doubled the Young Lions’ lead in the second half by meeting Emile Smith-Rowe’s cross to the far post but only after a lengthy VAR check.
Manchester City’s homegrown star also provided the assist as Cameron Archer gift-wrapped a place in Saturday’s showpiece with his late drilled strike.
The two-time winners head into the clash having yet to concede a single goal during five successive matches at this summer’s tournament.