England beat Dutch on penalties to take title

England are UEFA European Under-17 Champions for the second time after a 4-1 penalty shoot-out triumph over the Netherlands.

Though the "moment of individual brilliance" Young Lions manager John Peacock had requested did not quite materialise, England goalkeeper Freddie Woodman's save to deny substitute Dani van der Moot in the shoot-out was not far off.

Calvin Verdonk then put his spot kick wide before Jonjoe Kenny's decisive effort for England, who had taken a first-half lead through Dominic Solanke. Jari Schuurman had restored parity, simultaneously drawing level with England's No10 at the top of the tournament scoring charts, but there would be no further breakthrough in the 80 minutes.

Dutch captain Keziah Veendorp warned before kick-off that his side needed to beware their opponents' clinical streak – how right he was. Peacock's team possess no greater exponent of that particular art than Solanke, who once more caught the eye when the back of the net beckoned.

The composure he has shown all championship was evident on 25 minutes here, the Chelsea FC forward displaying great poise to control and finish inside a crowded penalty area after Patrick Roberts's corner had been swept goalwards by Taylor Moore.

Neither goalkeeper had hitherto been overly exterted; Yanick van Osch had warmed his palms by denying Isaiah Brown, while Woodman got down smartly to keep out Segun Owobowale's effort from a narrow angle. England's No1 could do nothing to repel what proved to be the last touch of the first half, however, Schuurman racing on to Steven Bergwijn's extraordinary flick and finishing via a vicious deflection off Joseph Gomez.

Bergwijn tested Woodman with a fierce shot not long after the interval but was soon forced off through injury. Though the period of England dominance that followed was no surprise, the source of their threat most certainly was. Captain Ryan Ledson twice bore down on goal in a matter of moments, but his first attempt – a close-range free-kick following a passback – was saved by Van Osch, while his subsequent back-post header looped over.

Though Kenny, Van der Moot and Owobowale went close late on, spot kicks were required. Van der Moot and Verdonk were denied; Woodman and Kenny the heroes for an England side beaten 2-0 by the same opponents in the group stage.