Premier League youngsters Domingos Quina, Joao Virginia and Ruben Vinagre celebrate Portugal’s U19 Euro triumph after dramatic win over Italy
- Portugal made history by winning the Under-19 European Championship
- They are the first country to seal title two years after lifting the U17 trophy
- Domingos Quina, Joao Virginia and Ruben Vinagre all started final in Finland
- West Ham, Arsenal and Wolves starlets celebrated their 4-3 victory over Italy
Young Premier League trio Domingos Quina, Joao Virginia and Ruben Vinagre looked understandably ecstatic after winning the Under-19 European Championship with Portugal in Finland on Sunday.
All three teenagers started for Helio Sousa’s side at Seinajoki’s OmaSP Stadion and helped sealed a dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory over Italy before posting celebratory pictures to their respective Instagram accounts.
Despite blowing a 2-0 lead in normal time and again being pegged back in the first half of extra time, Portugal eventually secured a dramatic win courtesy of a 109th-minute effort from substitute Pedro Correia of Deportivo La Coruna.
Arsenal goalkeeper Joao Virginia celebrates Portugal’s U19 Euro success in Finland on Sunday
West Ham’s Domingos Quina and Ruben Vinagre of Wolves also had photos taken with trophy
Such a triumph ensured that this current crop of talented youngsters from Iberia are the first generation to win the U17 Euro title before adding the U19 crown two years later.
10 members of the squad remained from that 2016 success in Azerbaijan, including West Ham midfielder Quina.
The 18-year-old produced a series of impressive displays throughout that latest competition and Sportsmail recently reported that a number of Championship sides – including Leeds and Hull – have registered an interest in his services.
Guinea-Bissau born Quina, who spent time in the academies of both Benfica and Chelsea, has appeared six times at senior level for West Ham since joining in 2016, though is likely to find regular opportunities difficult to come by in the immediate future with new boss Manuel Pellegrini having considerably strengthened his squad.
Portugal became the first country to win the U17 European title and then the next U19 version
Bundesliga duo Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim have also been credited with an interest, while reports suggest that West Ham are keen to secure an agreement over a new contract.
Arsenal goalkeeper Joao, meanwhile, spent much of the Euros as back-up to first-choice Diogo Costa, but was called upon to deputise for the last 34 minutes of the last-four thrashing of Ukraine before keeping his place for the final.
He swapped Benfica for the Gunners in 2015 and made 18 appearances in the academy in 2017/18 while also featuring in the UEFA Youth League and FA Youth Cup.
Left wing-back Vinagre is one of a number of Portuguese players brought to Wolves in recent times, appearing on 13 occasions and scoring once during their Championship-winning campaign while on loan from Monaco.
The Premier League newcomers activated their option to sign him on a permanent basis in June, with Sporting Lisbon product Vinagre penning a five-year contract at Molineux.
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