England U21s vs Spain U21s LIVE: Tensions boil over after Young Lions book place in Euros semi-final | OneFootball

England emulated their exploits of the 2023 final to beat Spain in the Euros (Getty Images)

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.

One step closer!

Next up for the Young Lions: it’s the Netherlands, in Bratislava, on Wednesday.

A European Championship semi-final awaits. England’s title defence is still very much alive.

See you then!

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Will Castle22 June 2025 00:00

Harvey Elliott speaks out on full-time scuffle

"I don't know [what happened],” he said. “It was always going to happen because of the passion from both teams.

“It is one of those where I was trying to calm everyone down. End of the day, we have got everything to lose. They don't. We can't lose players for the semi-final."

Will Castle21 June 2025 23:40

Carsley: 'This can't be our final'

“We talked about getting a fast start and to give a penalty away after a minute,” Carsley said. “The lads showed a lot of character.

“First half we were so good. I said before the longer the game went on the more fluid we will become.

“We talk about attacking so much you forget the other side of the game and I felt the whole back four and goalkeeper were excellent defending the box.

“Jay [Stansfield] has been outstanding all camp, I talk about managing minutes because a game every three days is a big ask. With our situation in the group we could not rest players, which is the reason Elliott [Anderson] could not start. He’ll be big for us in the semi-final.

“This can’t be our final, this can’t be our highlight of the competition, there are better nights to come.”

(Getty Images)

Will Castle21 June 2025 23:40

England U21s break Spain hearts once again to book place in Euros last four

England booked their place in the European U21 Championship semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Spain in Slovakia.

The Young Lions, who next face the Netherlands, benefited from an early let-off after a VAR check resulted in an overturned penalty.

Captain James McAtee opened the scoring in the 10th minute and Harvey Elliott netted his second goal of the tournament five minutes later.

Javi Guerra clawed a goal back for Spain with a 39th-minute penalty, but substitute Elliot Anderson's own spot-kick in second-half stoppage time assured Lee Carsley's men of their spot in the final four.

England U21s break Spain hearts once again to book place in Euros last four

England 3-1 Spain: Goals from James McAtee, Harvey Elliott and Elliot Anderson inflicted more Euros heartache on Spain

Will Castle21 June 2025 23:08

Elliott: 'Lost for words'

"It's incredible,” Elliott said. “I am lost for words. We knew it was going to be very tough.

“The were going to play an incredible game against us. But the way the lads handled the pressure even after conceding the goal, we deserved it so much. It's time to celebrate but we need to start thinking of the semi-finals tonight.

"There was a major difference form start to finish. We were compact. We were a team. We fought together. We didn't give up. We trusted in our ability.

“The football was just incredible. We need to take a lot of things from this game to the next."

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Will Castle21 June 2025 23:00

Cruel deja vu for La Roja

No wonder Spain lost their heads at full-time... must have touched a nerve.

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(PA Wire)

Will Castle21 June 2025 22:56

England a completely different side compared to the group stage

“It wasn’t good enough [the group stages],” James McAtee said.

“We knew we had to step it up and from the start you saw that, we started on fire. The boys are delighted, over the moon with the win.

“You know what it is like now, it is all about stats, so I’m trying to add goals.”

Will Castle21 June 2025 22:40

Save the date

Will Castle21 June 2025 22:20

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.

Will Castle21 June 2025 22:12

England down Spain to keep Euros title defence alive

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(Getty Images)

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Will Castle