Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has been praised for his reaction to Spain's Abel Ruiz after the Spaniard's penalty miss during the Young Lions' historic European Championship win.
A deflected goal in first-half stoppage time by Liverpool's Curtis Jones and a late penalty save from goalkeeper James Trafford helped to seal the Young Lions' first Euros title in 39 years.
Gibbs-White was sent off towards the end of Saturday's final at the Adjarabet Arena in Batumi, Georgia after he was substituted, but it did not matter as the Young Lions went on to seal a massive win.
And in the aftermath of a tense and pulsating contest, images showed the Reds midfielder consoling Spain's captain Ruiz after his penalty miss in the 99th minute after a lengthy VAR check. The Spaniard also had a goal disallowed earlier on which would have made it 1-1.
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A few Forest fans pointed out that Gibbs-White's sympathies towards his opponent may have been a reflection on some big penalty misses in his own career.
He suffered a cruel end to the 2021/22 season when the midfielder missed the decisive penalty for Sheffield United in their Championship play-off semi-final against Forest, before subsequently signing for the Reds last summer.
And he also missed a spot kick in England's semi-final victory over Israel at this tournament before then scoring the Three Lions opener.
Here is what the fans said on social media about his gesture...
Callum Castel: That’s our player. Consoling the Spanish player that missed the penalty. You are a gentleman Morgan Gibbs-White.
RozzBozzy: Great to see, and what sport should be all about
Amanda Needham: What a man! This was so lovely to see. Stevie Cooper’s people skills is rubbing off. Love this...
Simon Ball: Good man. Wish there was more of this in sport.
Chris Reid: Things like this are the reason I think he can go to the very top.
Tony Durose: Remarkable person never mind player, what a gem!
David Huskisson: Is there nothing that MGW cannot do???
Sarah: That’s sportsmanship for you.
Tony: His penalty miss led to him playing in the Prem and winning silverware with England U21s, so he understands where that guy is now and where he could be in 12 months I guess.
Bruno Goncalves: He’s been in that situation, he knows exactly how he feels. Good on him. Well done Morgan.
Leeenit: Remember when Samba saved his play off penalty and the fans ran on the pitch? While that was happening Steve Cook was consoling MGW. I bet that stayed with him like nothing else.
