England booked their place in the semi-finals of the under-21 European Championship on Saturday by beating Spain 3-1 and sparks flew after the full-time whistle
England and Spain’s under-21 players clashed in a huge melee after their fiery European Championship quarter-final encounter. There were multiple skirmishes on the pitch after the final whistle, with England having ran out 3-1 winners to book a tie with the Netherlands in the semi-finals.
It boiled over Trnava, Slovakia as Spain’s anger didn’t mix well with England’s celebrations. Coaches from both teams had to split the players up, with the match officials also getting involved.
Spain’s Rafa Marin was sent off following the full-time whistle, while England goalscorer James McAtee picked up a booking.
Eventually they dispersed, with brief handshakes between players and staff being exchanged. Lee Carsley’s side can now focus on continuing their defence of the title, having lifted the trophy in 2023.
Skipper McAtee and Liverpool attacker Harvey Elliott, one of only two Three Lions stars to have lifted the trophy in 2023, inflicted early damage with two quick-fire goals inside the opening 15 minutes before Elliot Anderson capped the victory with a stoppage-time penalty. Carsley’s inspired changes – there were four in total – initially raised eyebrows but they sparked England into life despite the controversial omission of powerhouse midfielder Anderson.
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The defending champions, who had looked flat and underwhelmed in a goalless draw against Slovenia before lumbering to defeat against Germany in their final group match, are now alive and kicking in Slovakia following a dogged team display that was also littered with character. England survived two early scares, first Diego Lopez headed over from close range before Spain were awarded a penalty when Lopez’s shot struck the hand of Charlie Cresswell. Cresswell had attempted to tuck his arms behind his body and thankfully, that was swiftly recognised by VAR assistant Daniele Chiffi and the decision was overturned by referee Simone Sozza. England wasted no time in using that good fortune to their advantage as returning captain McAtee fired the opener on 10 minutes after Spain failed to clear their lines following Alex Scott’s dangerous corner. Scott’s delivery skimmed off the head of Benat Turrientes before Cristhian Mosquera diverted the ball into the path of Manchester City star McAtee, who gratefully swept home. Five-time champions Spain looked shellshocked five minutes later when Carsley’s hungry Three Lions ruthlessly doubled their advantage through Elliott. It was a goal manufactured on Merseyside, Bayer Leverkusen-bound centre-back Jarell Quansah ventured forward and let fly from distance, the shot was spilled by Alejandro Iturbe and Elliott beat the offside trap to poke into the empty net.
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Fluid England were now purring and nearly added a third when Tino Livramento powered down the right before Spain somehow weathered the storm. La Roja were handed a lifeline six minutes from the break when Cresswell chopped down Alberto Moleiro in the box and this time, his blushes would not be spared. Former Leeds team-mate Mateo Joseph initially grabbed the ball but was stripped off spot-kick duty after missing the target from 12-yards in Spain’s opening group fixture against Slovakia. Valencia’s Javi Guerra showed forward Joseph how it’s done, calmly wrong-footing James Beadle. However, Brighton goalkeeping prospect Beadle did come up trumps on the hour mark to twice deny Guerra via a crucial double save before Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton, making his first start of the competition, almost fired in a third.
Jack Hinshelwood narrowly headed over at the far post but England did finally put the game to bed at the death before tensions boiled over at full-time. In the final exchanges, Jonathan Rowe raced in behind and was chopped down by Spain goalkeeper Iturbe and Newcastle ace Anderson made no mistake from the spot.
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