Media say they ‘have a score to settle’
Spanish media believe their national team ‘has a score to settle’ with Cole Palmer after an incident last year that saw a huge on pitch brawl unfold.
After some more last minute heroics from the England team on Wednesday to set up a final with Spain with both teams coming from a goal behind to win 2-1.
This has now set up a final which will be a repeat of last year’s U21 Euros final when the incident occurred.
In a tight fought game featuring a full host of current England stars, Curtis Jones scored the decisive goal of the game in somewhat fortunate cicumstances.
The goal came from a Palmer free kick which took a huge deflection off Curtis Jones to eventually find the back of the Spanish net.
This proved enough to secure a 1-0 win over Spain and England’s first trophy in the European Under-21 Championship since 1984.
However, the real drama came with the goal celebration as Palmer celebrated directly in front of the Spain dugout causing a brawl to ensue as furious Spanish players made their way over to Palmer.
Spain were furious with Palmer’s celebration as he glared towards the substitutes and coaching staff, and Spain’s players all rushed over to vent their anger towards the England midfielder.
England coach Ashley Cole and Spain’s fitness coach Carlos Rivera were both sent off during the incident between the two sets of players and coaching staff.
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Alex Baena is the only player at Euro 2024 from that Spain U21 squad although parts of the Spanish media claim that the incident has not been forgotten.
Spanish radio station Cadena COPE has claimed that La Roja have a ‘score to settle’ this Sunday.
Palmer’s club teammate at the time, Spain’s Sergio Gomez, was equally upset by the celebration.
He said: “I don’t know if we’ll talk or if he’ll say something to me. If he wants to apologise, let him, but the truth is that it wasn’t a good attitude,’ Gomez said after Spain’s defeat.
“Hey, I bet you he saves this. Do you know how many people I’ve told about how good he is? I don’t have words anymore.”
— Magpie Media (@MagpieMediaX) June 10, 2024
Chelsea winger Cole Palmer had complete faith in #NUFC bound goalkeeper James Trafford before his penalty save in the U21 Euros final last summer.
Just… pic.twitter.com/JQh06C3aFg
“In the end they are the ones who make these provocations. He did it like that and there was a bit of a fuss.”
Palmer gave his thought on his celebration after the game.
He said: “I was a bit frustrated with the way they were going down and screaming. The celebration was maybe a bit over the top but I’m just happy.”
Palmer is yet to start a game for Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024, however, the Chelsea star man has been promising in his appearances off the bench.
England play Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday at 8pm.
