Emile Smith Rowe played 66 minutes as the England u21s won the European Championship final against Spain on Saturday afternoon.

Emile Smith Rowe got his third start and sixth appearance of the u21 European Championship on Sunday, with Lee Carsley’s England side facing Spain in the final.

It wasn’t the first European Championship final against Spain that Smith Rowe had been involved in, after he made the squad as an u17 player back in 2017.

That day, England drew 2-2 before losing 4-1 on penalties, so this was a chance for the Arsenal youngster to put things right.

Smith Rowe played the first 66 minutes of the contest on this occasion, with England taking the lead just before the half-time whistle as Curtis Jones deflected Cole Palmer’s free-kick into the net.

The 22-year-old came off as Carsley looked to secure the win in the second half, and England had almost managed to grind out the result with a clean sheet – going the entire tournament without conceding.

Then came a late twist in injury time, as Levi Colwill conceded a penalty in the dying seconds.

Fortunately, goalkeeper James Trafford was the hero with a double save, maintaining England’s lead and securing the result.

As a result, England lifted the trophy, with Smith Rowe adding an u21 European Championship winner’s medal to his u17 World Cup winner’s medal with his country.

The game spells the end for Smith Rowe’s association with the England youth teams, as this was the last tournament for which he was age-eligible.

Having already made his debut for Gareth Southgate’s senior side, he’ll hope to be involved more often at that level now.

In the meantime, the Arsenal man will return to Mikel Arteta’s squad to prepare for the new season, after a bit of a holiday break.

The Gunners have been clear that they have no intention to sell Smith Rowe this summer, so his full focus will be on his current club.