England Below-21s stay on track to defend their European Championship crown after objectives from James McAtee, Harvey Elliott and Elliot Anderson noticed them safe a quarter-final win over Spain.
The conflict in Trvana was a repeat of the 2023 ultimate received 1-0 by England and this contest was equally tight.
England rode their luck within the early phases earlier than a quickfire double from McAtee and Elliott put them in management.
Javi Guerra pulled one again for Spain earlier than half-time however they may not discover an equaliser and Anderson’s late penalty confirmed England would play the Netherlands within the final 4 on Wednesday.
What a win. What a efficiency.
OUR #YOUNGLIONS ARE INTO THE #U21EURO SEMI-FINALS! 👏 pic.twitter.com/NhfXGuUvtS
— England (@England) June 21, 2025
Fortune favours England
England have been sluggish out of the blocks and regarded all at sea within the opening jiffy.
Diego Lopez headed over inside the primary minute and the Valencia ahead was additionally concerned in a second of controversy a minute later together with his shot putting Charlie Cresswell on the arm.
It appeared a routine handball however referee Simone Sozza was suggested by VAR to go to the pitchside monitor and duly overturned his authentic choice.
The incident spurred England into motion and, after their first respectable spell of possession, they took the lead within the tenth minute.
Alex Scott’s left-wing nook bobbled round Spain’s six-yard field and McAtee was readily available to stab the ball house.
Scott shot narrowly over earlier than England doubled their benefit on the quarter-hour mark.
Spain shocked as Elliott scores
Jarell Quansah ran unopposed for 40 yards to the sting of the Spain space and when his shot was spilled by Alejandro Iturbe, Elliott was readily available to knock within the rebound.
Spain have been shellshocked and wonderful play from Elliott and McAtee virtually noticed Tino Livramento add a 3rd.
Santi Denia’s facet regularly labored their method again into the sport they usually have been awarded a second penalty with 9 minutes to go to the break, and this one did stand.
Scott misplaced possession on the sting of the realm and Alberto Moleira seized on the unfastened ball, drove into the field the place he was upended by Quansah’s outstretched leg.
Guerra confirmed admirable cool to casually slot the ball into the underside right-hand nook with James Beadle diving the other method.
Either side created probabilities after half-time with Adam Stansfield seeing a shot deflected over after neat play from Omari Hutchinson, Cresswell heading a nook inches vast and, on the different finish, Beadle making a tremendous double save to twice deny Guerra.
Anderson settles it
The sport remained within the steadiness till deep into stoppage time when Jonathan Rowe chased a seemingly misplaced trigger however obtained to the ball earlier than the outrushing Iturbe, and once more Sozza pointed to the spot.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Anderson, who was surprisingly overlooked of the beginning XI, made no mistake from the spot.
Subsequent up is a conflict with the Dutch, who secured a outstanding 1-0 win over Portugal.
The Oranje had Ruben van Bommel, son of former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder Mark, despatched off after 21 minutes.
The ten males rode their luck earlier than Ernest Poku netted the one objective with six minutes remaining.
