Elliot Embleton admitted he felt can enormous sense of pride when England under-20s successfully defended their Toulon crown on Saturday.
The Sunderland midfielder has been a mainstay in Neil Dewsnip’s side throughout the tournament, and played a starring role in the final as he scored the Young Lions’ second penalty on route to winning a dramatic shootout 5-3.
Embleton reacted quickly in an attempt to dispatch the follow-up, however, he was hacked down only for the referee to dismiss claims for a second penalty.
Ivory Coast were much improved in the second period but England looked set to hold out for victory until substitute Juvenal Junior Agnero was fouled in the box by Josh Grant.
Ake Arnaud Loba stepped up and slotted the penalty away to give the tie another twist – a penalty shootout would decide the winner.
England, though, atoned from their earlier spot-kick miss and scored all five penalties to secure the victory and a famous Toulon double, as Jean Thiery Lazare Amani had Ivory Coast’s fourth penalty saved.
And speaking to safc.com, Embleton couldn’t hide his delight as he became the third Sunderland player in two seasons to lift the Toulon crown after Jordan Pickford and Duncan Watmore.
“It is unbelievable to win a big international tournament like this one,” he said.
“It means a lot to win the trophy, one that has been won by some world class players down the years.
“It’s very good for the club (Sunderland) and the academy to bring players through to play for England and ones who are able to help their country compete to win tournaments.
“This season has been very long but I’m already looking forward to next season,” he continued.
“Hopefully I can set-up to the England under-19s squad and see what happens from there.”
