England U21s vs Spain U21s LIVE: Tensions boil over after Young Lions ebook place in Euros semi-final
England’s U21 broke Spanish hearts in the Euros once again as they gritted out victory to progress to the last four, emulating their exploits of the 2023 final against La Roja.
Lee Carsley’s side looked in for a long night when they conceded a penalty inside two minutes, only for Charlie Cresswell’s handball overturned by VAR.
The next 10 minutes then saw England flip the momentum and snatch two goals, with James McAtee and Harvey Elliott turning the Young Lions’ nightmare start into one they’d dream of.
Spain rallied and halved England’s lead through Javi Guerra’s spot-kick prior to half-time. But Lee Carsley’s side held on for duration of the second half and sealed victory in stoppage time – substitute Elliot Anderson tucking home from the spot to a muted celebration from the Nottingham Forest midfielder.
Inflicting more Euros heartache onto the Spanish, England have set up a semi-final clash against the Netherlands in Bratislava.
Follow all the build-up, team news and action from England U21 vs Spain U21 below:
Spain player sent off after the final whistle
Spain’s Rafa Marin was shown a red card after the final whistle as chaos broke out between the two sets of players.
England’s James McAtee also picked up a booking.
England down Spain to keep Euros title defence alive
FULL-TIME! England 3-1 Spain
ENGLAND ARE INTO THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS!
Tempers run high at the full-time whistle as Spain try and incite fisticuffs – vital the players keep their cool and don’t do anything stupid to rule them out of the last four.
The Netherlands await in Bratislava. The Young Lions get one over on La Roja, once again!
GOAL! England 3-1 Spain (Anderson, 90+4′)
Anderson steps up… AND HE CONVERTS!
Barely a celebration from the Forest boy – he means business, knowing that this is only one step further in their pursuit of defending the title.
PENALTY! England 2-1 Spain
90+3 mins: PENALTY! The referee points to the spot… AND IT’S FOR ENGLAND!
Rowe latches onto a flick in behind and he is just too fast for the onrushing Iturbe, who brings him down in the area.
This to seal it…
England 2-1 Spain
90 mins: We’re entering last chance saloon for La Roja now. Spain pepper the England box with crosses but the Young Lions survive.
The all-important number is FOUR minutes added on.
England 2-1 Spain
89 mins: Sharp from Nwaneri to lay it off for Norton-Cuffy, allowing him to drive into space before letting fly on his left.
It’s always rising and hits the side-netting.
England 2-1 Spain
86 mins: Rowe is booked for playing on after the whistle.
He claims he didn’t hear it go, but it’s important seconds wasted nonetheless.
England 2-1 Spain
85 mins: Loose ball out from England allows Guerra to pick it up in space, gifting Spain an opportunity in the attacking half.
Guerra plays it out to Rodriguez but Norton-Cuffy does superbly to put the tackle in and win a goal-kick.
Five more minutes, plus stoppage time, for England to survive.
