England Under-21s remain on course to defend their European Championship crown after goals from James McAtee, Harvey Elliott and Elliot Anderson saw them secure a quarter-final win over Spain.
The clash in Trvana was a repeat of the 2023 final won 1-0 by England and this contest was equally tight.
England rode their luck in the early stages before a quickfire double from McAtee and Elliott put them in control.
Javi Guerra pulled one back for Spain before half-time but they could not find an equaliser and Anderson’s late penalty confirmed England would play the Netherlands in the last four on Wednesday.
What a win. What a performance.
OUR #YOUNGLIONS ARE INTO THE #U21EURO SEMI-FINALS! 👏 pic.twitter.com/NhfXGuUvtS
— England (@England) June 21, 2025
Fortune favours England
England were slow out of the blocks and looked all at sea in the opening few minutes.
Diego Lopez headed over inside the first minute and the Valencia forward was also involved in a moment of controversy a minute later with his shot striking Charlie Cresswell on the arm.
It seemed a routine handball but referee Simone Sozza was advised by VAR to go to the pitchside monitor and duly overturned his original decision.
The incident spurred England into action and, after their first decent spell of possession, they took the lead in the 10th minute.
Alex Scott’s left-wing corner bobbled around Spain’s six-yard box and McAtee was on hand to stab the ball home.
Scott shot narrowly over before England doubled their advantage on the quarter-hour mark.
Spain stunned as Elliott scores
Jarell Quansah ran unopposed for 40 yards to the edge of the Spain area and when his shot was spilled by Alejandro Iturbe, Elliott was on hand to knock in the rebound.
Spain were shellshocked and lovely play from Elliott and McAtee almost saw Tino Livramento add a third.
Santi Denia’s side gradually worked their way back into the game and they were awarded a second penalty with nine minutes to go to the break, and this one did stand.
Scott lost possession on the edge of the area and Alberto Moleira seized on the loose ball, drove into the box where he was upended by Quansah’s outstretched leg.
Guerra showed admirable cool to casually slot the ball into the bottom right-hand corner with James Beadle diving the opposite way.
Both sides created chances after half-time with Adam Stansfield seeing a shot deflected over after neat play from Omari Hutchinson, Cresswell heading a corner inches wide and, at the other end, Beadle making a fine double save to twice deny Guerra.
Anderson settles it
The game remained in the balance until deep into stoppage time when Jonathan Rowe chased a seemingly lost cause but got to the ball before the outrushing Iturbe, and again Sozza pointed to the spot.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Anderson, who was surprisingly left out of the starting XI, made no mistake from the spot.
Next up is a clash with the Dutch, who secured a remarkable 1-0 win over Portugal.
The Oranje had Ruben van Bommel, son of former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder Mark, sent off after 21 minutes.
The 10 men rode their luck before Ernest Poku netted the only goal with six minutes remaining.
