England's U21 squad has once again dashed Spain's hopes, securing a coveted spot in the European Championship semi-finals after a thrilling 3-1 victory. The match, a repeat of the 2023 final where England also emerged victorious, was filled with drama from the opening whistle and extended beyond the final whistle with a massive melee.
The Young Lions started strong, with James McAtee, the team's captain, finding the net in the 10th minute following a corner. Just five minutes later, Harvey Elliott capitalized on a spilled shot from the Spanish goalkeeper, Alejandro Iturbe, extending England's lead to 2-0. Spain, however, fought back, earning a penalty in the 37th minute after Jarell Quansah fouled Alberto Moleiro. Javi Guerra converted the penalty, reducing the deficit before halftime.
The second half saw both teams battling fiercely. England's goalkeeper, James Beadle, made crucial saves to deny Spain's equalizer attempts, while England also had opportunities to extend their lead. The game's intensity reached its peak in stoppage time when Jonathan Rowe was brought down by Iturbe, resulting in a penalty for England. Elliot Anderson stepped up and confidently converted the spot-kick, sealing the 3-1 victory and England's place in the semi-finals.
However, the drama didn't end with the final whistle. A massive melee erupted between players from both teams, reflecting the high stakes and emotions of the match. Coaches and match officials intervened to separate the players. Following the altercations, Spain's Rafa Marin received a red card, and England's James McAtee was shown a yellow card.
England will now face the Netherlands in the semi-finals. The Netherlands secured their spot after a 1-0 victory against Portugal. The semi-final match is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25th, in Bratislava.