England's Under-21s have advanced to the semi-finals of the European Championship after a compelling 3-1 victory over Spain. The match, held in Slovakia, saw Elliot Anderson seal the win with a late penalty, capping off a dominant performance by the Young Lions.
The game began with early pressure from Spain, who initially were awarded a penalty after a handball by Charlie Cresswell. However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, providing England with a significant let-off. Seizing the momentum, England quickly took control of the match.
James McAtee, captaining the side, opened the scoring in the 10th minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box following an Alex Scott corner. Just five minutes later, Harvey Elliott doubled the lead, tapping in a rebound after Spain's goalkeeper Alejandro Iturbe spilled Jarell Quansah's shot. The early flurry of goals put England firmly in the driving seat.
Spain managed to pull a goal back in the 39th minute through a penalty by Javi Guerra, after Quansah fouled Alberto Moleiro. Guerra’s composed finish halved the deficit, giving Spain a lifeline heading into halftime.
The second half saw England working tirelessly to maintain their lead, with McAtee putting in a strong performance before being substituted in the 71st minute. Spain pushed for an equalizer, but England's defense held firm, denying them clear-cut opportunities. Goalkeeper James Beadle made crucial saves to preserve England's advantage.
In the dying moments of the match, England secured their place in the semi-finals when Jonathan Rowe was brought down in the box, earning a penalty. Elliot Anderson stepped up and confidently converted the spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and sealing a 3-1 victory.
Elliot Anderson's composed penalty not only secured the win but also highlighted his growing importance to the team. The Nottingham Forest midfielder, who previously represented Scotland at the youth level before switching allegiance to England, has become an integral part of Lee Carsley's squad.
England will now face the Netherlands in the semi-finals, scheduled for Wednesday at the Slovakian national stadium in Bratislava. The Netherlands reached this stage after defeating Portugal 1-0.
The England U21 squad includes notable players such as James Beadle, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Charlie Cresswell, Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott, and Jobe Bellingham. The team, coached by Lee Carsley, aims to defend the title they won two years ago in Georgia.
This victory marks another significant achievement for England's youth setup, showcasing the talent and potential within the squad. With a blend of experienced players and emerging stars, the Young Lions are determined to continue their journey and bring home the European Championship title once again.
