Spain gain revenge on Germany in Udine for fifth title

Spain beat Germany to win their fifth Under-21 European Championship in Udine on Sunday night with a 2-1 win.

Player of the Tournament Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain with a surging run and 25-yard strike from Mikel Oyarzabal’s pass.

Dani Olmo doubled the lead with a clever chip in the second half after Alexander Nubel fumbled Ruiz’s shot, before Nadiem Amiri’s late deflected consolation.

The game in Udine was a repeat of the 2017 final, which Germany won, and the two sides have now won five of the past six U21 Euros between them.

Golden Boot winner Luca Waldschmidt of Germany was unable to find an eighth goal to set a record for a single tournament.

The game could have been different had Spain defender Jesus Vallejo been sent off for a dangerous high tackle on Freiburg’s Waldschmidt in the first half.

The Real Madrid player was only shown a yellow card and a video assistant referee check determined not to send him off.

Germany improved after the break and Amiri’s swerving shot was parried by Antonio Sivera. But after Dinamo Zagreb’s Olmo scored, Spain looked in control.