GARY LINEKER and Harry Kane were among the big names to praise the England team for winning the Under-21 European Championship.
Cole Palmer’s first-half free-kick deflected off team-mate Curtis Jones to hand Lee Carsley’s side a 1-0 victory over Spain in the final in Georgia.
A dramatic stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Spain after Levi Colwill’s challenge was punished following a VAR review.
But England keeper James Trafford – who is set to leave Manchester City for Burnley this summer – denied Abel Ruiz from the spot and got back to his feet to make a superb second save.
It is the first time England have won the U21 Euros since 1984.
And Kane, 29, captain of the senior side and the country’s record scorer, immediately posted his congratulations after the final whistle.
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Speaking on Instagram, he said: “Yesss lads! What a win! Done the country proud 🙌🏆.”
Ex-England striker Lineker, 62, also reacted with a joke that was hilariously mocked by those on social media – 20 minutes after he posted: “Wonderful. Congratulations 👏🏻👏🏻.”
He went on to add the joke: “Trafford centre of attention. 👏🏻👏🏻”
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The Trafford Centre is a shopping centre in Manchester.
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Some of the responses to the joke included “Booooooo terrible joke, Gary” and “Dear oh bloody dear, that’s a poor one”.
Another former England star, Rio Ferdinand, also got involved in the triumph as he tweeted: “Booooom!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.”
Jill Scott, who won the Women’s Euros last summer, added: “Amazing achievement! Well done to all players and staff! 😃.”
Aston Villa star Jacob Ramsey, who flew home from the tournament earlier this week due to injury, said: “What a team!🏆🥇❤️”
And Britain’s ex-world heavyweight champion even gave his own response, adding: “Well done England how great is it to say European Champions.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
