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Boro's Callum Cooke held his nerve to convert his spot-kick and help England win a dramatic penalty shoot out to win the Under-17 European Championships.

The talented attacking midfielder from Co Durham came off the bench in last night’s final against Holland, which was staged in Malta’s National Stadium.

Cooke replaced Lewis Cook in the 74th minute of the game but his club-mate, defender Dael Fry, had to watch the match from the subs’ bench.

England took the lead in the 25th minute when Chelsea’s Dominic Solanke fired home from close range.

The Dutch equalised on the stroke of half-time through Jar Schuurman but the second half was goalless, which meant penalties were required to separate two closely-matched sides.

The national team’s record from spot-kicks is miserable, but the new generation showed nerves of steel to win the decider 4-1, converting all their kicks, unlike the Dutch, who had one effort saved and missed the target with two others.

Ryan Ledson, Taylor Moore, Cooke and Jonjoe Kenny all converted for England while keeper Freddie Woodman also contributed by saving Holland’s first attempt.

Delighted coach John Peacock said: “In my opinion, we were worthy winners. It was always going to be a close encounter and it was certainly that – but over the 80 minutes we were the best team.

“I thought we showed character. We deservedly took the lead in the first half and it was a knock-out blow to concede before half time but the character we showed in the second half was first class.

“I told them at the break they were exceptional for 39 minutes, defended and passed really well and I thought we were in control and frustrating the Dutch.

“It was a good goal from them, but I just told the boys to remember the other 39 minutes and get back out there and get off to a good start.”

Regarding penalties, Peacock added: “We’ve been practising penalties for the last two weeks and we’ve put in a few hours.

“It’s not easy to duplicate that in a game in front of a 9,000 crowd – but the penalties were absolutely fantastic.

“I’ve just told them (the players) all ‘well done’ and they deserved it.

“We have had a few knock backs, but we’ve come back from them. Overall, I’m delighted for all the players, and I have to say, all the staff as well. They have been absolutely fantastic and I can’t thank them enough.”

England last won the competition in 2010, beating Aitor Karanka’s Spain 2-1 in Liechtenstein.

Peacock’s side then included Boro’s very own Luke Williams, Ben Gibson and Bruno Pilatos, as well as future loan signings from Chelsea Nathaniel Chalobah and Josh McEachran.

England U-17s: Woodman, Kenny, Tafari Moore, Taylor Moore, Gomez, Ledson, Cook (Cooke 75), Onomah, Brown, Roberts, Solanke.Subs: Howes, Fry, Mitchell, Armstrong, Egbo, Sims.

Holland U-17s: Van Osch, Avest, Veendorp, Verdonk, Verloo, Van de Beek, Schuurman, Nouri (Paal 58), Ould-Chikh, Bergwijn (Slabbekoorn 47), Owobowale (Van der Moot 76). Subs: Bijlow, Van der Meer, Savastano, Janssen.