England U21s secure semi-final spot after beating Spain U21s 3-1

In Slovakia, England's under-21 football team achieved a significant victory against Spain in the quarter-finals of the European U21 Championship on June 21, 2025. The match began on a shaky note for England, as an early penalty decision was overturned after VAR intervention, allowing them to regroup and focus on their game plan. Captain James McAtee opened the scoring in the 10th minute, capitalizing on a flick from Omari Hutchinson following a corner. Just five minutes later, Harvey Elliott doubled England's lead by slotting in a rebound from close range after a mistake by Spanish goalkeeper Alejandro Iturbe. Despite their promising start, England faced a setback when Javi Guerra converted a penalty in the 39th minute, narrowing the score to 2-1 after a defensive error allowed Spain a chance to score from the spot. This did not deter England, who regrouped and continued to apply pressure on Spain, creating multiple scoring opportunities. England's defense proved solid, with goalkeeper James Beadle making crucial saves to maintain their lead. The match reached its climax with a penalty awarded to England in stoppage time after Jonathan Rowe was taken down inside the box by Iturbe. Substitute Elliot Anderson confidently converted the penalty, sealing a 3-1 victory for England. This win not only eliminated Spain from the tournament but also avenged England's previous losses to Spain in international competitions, especially during the final in 2023. As a result of the victory, England U21s advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face the Netherlands. Manager Lee Carsley expressed optimism for the team's future performances, emphasizing that this cannot be the pinnacle of their aspirations in the tournament. Players like Harvey Elliott celebrated the win but also remained focused on the challenges ahead, highlighting the importance of teamwork moving forward in the competition.