Theo Walcott... winger made no mistake from the spot

Internationals: Walcott and Gibbs on the spot

Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs have both been included in Stuart Pearce's squad for England's European Under-21 Championship campaign in Gothenburg. Read on for their latest exploits..

Player Profile - Theo WalcottEngland

Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs
England U21 3-3 Sweden U21 (aet) England win 5-4 on penalties

Walcott and Gibbs converted crucial spot-kicks as England progressed to the European Under-21 Championship Final with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over hosts Sweden on Friday.

Stuart Pearce gave both Gunners the nod in his starting line-up and watched England open the scoring within a minute through Martin Cranie. Then, in the 27th minute, Nedum Onouha doubled the advantage from a teasing James Milner corner.

England’s superb start continued nine minutes later when Walcott’s cross was eventually turned home by Sweden defender Mattias Bjarsmyr.

The Young Lions’ progression looked assured but the host nation produced a stirring second-half comeback thanks in no small part to striker Marcus Berg.

The Groningen frontman expertly reduced the arrears after 68 minutes before Ola Toivonen made it 3-2 with a fine free-kick seven minutes later. Berg then completed the comeback with a searing left-foot strike nine minutes from time.

Substitute Fraizer Campbell was dismissed for a second bookable offence in extra-time but Sweden were unable to make their numerical advantage count.

Milner fluffed England’s first penalty but Joe Hart saved Berg’s penalty to keep the scores level. Both sides converted their next four penalties before Gibbs made no mistake with the first sudden-death spot-kick.

Then Guillermo Molin fired his effort against the post to put England into Monday’s Final against Germany in Malmo

[Saturday, June 27, 2009]

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