England's Under-21 squad kept their European Championship title defence alive with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Spain in a fiery quarter-final clash on Saturday night in Trnava, Slovakia. The Young Lions showed resilience and character to overcome a tough Spanish side, setting up a semi-final showdown with the Netherlands in Bratislava on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
The match began with tension and intensity, as Spain looked dangerous early on. Within the first two minutes, Diego López headed just over from close range, and shortly after, referee Simone Sozza pointed to the penalty spot when López's powerful shot struck the arm of England defender Charlie Cresswell. However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened, with assistant Daniele Chiffi confirming that Cresswell had tucked his arm behind his body, leading Sozza to overturn the decision. The reprieve sparked England into life, with Cresswell pumping his fist in celebration.
England capitalised swiftly on their good fortune. In the 10th minute, captain James McAtee, who looks set to leave Manchester City this summer, was quickest to react after Spain failed to clear a dangerous corner from Alex Scott. The corner delivery skimmed off the head of Benat Turrientes and was deflected by Cristhian Mosquera, landing perfectly for McAtee to sweep home the opener. The goal set the tone for the match and gave England an early edge.
Five minutes later, England doubled their lead in a move that showcased their attacking intent. Birmingham's Jay Stansfield forced a loose pass, allowing Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah—who is on the verge of a £30 million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen—to surge forward and unleash a 25-yard shot. Spanish goalkeeper Alejandro Iturbe failed to hold the shot convincingly, and Liverpool teammate Harvey Elliott, whose future at Anfield remains uncertain following the arrival of Florian Wirtz, was on hand to tap in the rebound. Suddenly, England were in control and looking dangerous.
Spain, five-time champions and pre-tournament favourites, were shellshocked but fought back. A lifeline came six minutes before halftime when Cresswell conceded a penalty by tripping Alberto Moleiro in the box. This time, there was no VAR intervention, and Valencia's Javi Guerra calmly converted the spot-kick, wrong-footing England goalkeeper James Beadle to make it 2-1. The goal injected some urgency into the Spanish side and set up a tense second half.
England started the second half with determination to put the game beyond doubt. Stansfield’s surging runs and Quansah’s forward forays kept Spain on the back foot. However, Stansfield’s touch let him down at a crucial moment, and Cresswell narrowly missed restoring the two-goal cushion with a header that sailed just wide. England's goalkeeper James Beadle, a promising talent from Brighton, was called into action around the hour mark, making a crucial double save to deny Javi Guerra, keeping England's slender lead intact.
Spain pressed hard for an equaliser, but England’s defence remained disciplined and compact, frustrating their opponents. Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton, making his first start of the tournament, and Jack Hinshelwood both had chances to extend the lead, but Hinshelwood's free header went over the crossbar.
As the match entered injury time, substitute Jonathan Rowe made a decisive impact. Racing in behind the Spanish defence, Rowe was brought down by goalkeeper Iturbe, earning England a late penalty. Elliot Anderson, who had been controversially omitted from the starting lineup, stepped up confidently and converted the spot-kick, sealing a 3-1 victory for England and sparking jubilant celebrations.
However, the triumph was marred by a heated post-match melee on the pitch. Tempers flared between the English and Spanish players, echoing the bad blood from the 2023 final, which England also won against Spain. Coaches and match officials had to intervene to separate the players. Spain's Rafa Marin was sent off following the clash, while England’s captain McAtee received a booking. Despite the tension, brief handshakes between players and staff eventually restored some sportsmanship.
England’s head coach Lee Carsley praised his team's performance and looked ahead to the semi-finals. “In the first half we were so good,” he said. “The big thing is this can’t be our final – there’s better nights to come.” Carsley is now just two matches away from matching Dave Sexton’s historic feat of winning the Under-21 European Championship twice, having guided England to the title in 2023.
Midfielder Harvey Elliott, one of only two players from the 2023 winning squad still in this campaign alongside Cresswell, reflected on the team’s discipline and belief. “There was a major difference from start to finish: we were disciplined and compact,” Elliott said. “We trusted in our own ability. The football was incredible, we need to take a lot from this into the next game.”
This victory is particularly impressive considering England’s youthful and relatively inexperienced squad, which had struggled earlier in the tournament with a goalless draw against Slovenia and a defeat to Germany. The win over Spain, a side intent on revenge and considered tournament favourites, underlines the strength and character of Lee Carsley’s team.
Looking ahead, England will face the Netherlands in the semi-finals in Bratislava on Wednesday, June 25. The Dutch side, who have also impressed this tournament, will provide a stern test as England aim to retain their crown. With a blend of emerging talents and experienced campaigners, England’s Young Lions are poised for an exciting finish to the championship.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether England can continue their remarkable run and etch their names in history with back-to-back Under-21 European titles. For now, they celebrate a hard-earned victory, a display of grit and skill that kept their dreams alive and sent a clear message to their rivals.
