England U21s vs Spain U21s LIVE: Team news and line-ups ahead of European Championship quarter-final | OneFootball

England U21 meet Spain U21 in a repeat of their 2023 European Championship final (Getty)

England’s U21 side face Spain in the quarter-finals of the European Championship tonight in a rematch of the 2023 final.

Lee Carsley’s side lost 2-1 to Germany in their final match of the group stages last time out - a result that didn’t impact their qualification into the knockouts - and head into this contest as slight underdogs.

If they want to retain the trophy they won so dramatically two years ago, they will have to beat a talented Spain side who are yet to lose so far in the tournament.

A 1-1 draw with Italy last time out was enough to give La Roja top spot in Group A, and the reward for that is an intriguing tie against Carsley’s Young Lions.

Lee Carsley on reigniting England's rivalry with Spain

Will Castle21 June 2025 19:40

The challenge Spain pose

Spain finished top of Group A after wins against Slovakia and Romania and a 1-1 draw with Italy last time out.

They have already shown their battling qualities after netting late winners in their first two games, so this is going to be anything but easy for Carsley’s side, who will need their experienced players to step up.

Lee Carsley’s side will take some confidence from the fact that their opponents have conceded in all three matches so far, but they have also scored six.

England managed three in their opening game against Czechia but were held to a goalless draw against Slovenia and struggled to break down Germany, but they will have to be at both their attacking and defensive best on Saturday.

Will Castle21 June 2025 19:30

Lee Carsley ‘delighted’ for Liam Delap despite England U21 absence

Lee Carsley’s Young Lions are without one notable attacking force for their European Championship title defence in Liam Delap, who is at the Club World Cup with Chelsea.

However, Carsley insists there are no hard feelings: “I’m definitely not disappointed. I’m delighted for Liam and his family.

“It’s a brilliant thing for an English centre-forward to play in the Premier League at such a prestigious club like Chelsea.

“Hopefully, he’ll do really well there and push for the senior team. We’ll move on. We’ve moved on quite quickly.”

Lee Carsley ‘delighted’ for Liam Delap despite England Under-21 absence

Chelsea’s new signing Delap will go to the Club World Cup rather than the European Under-21 Championship.

Will Castle21 June 2025 19:20

A painful deja vu for Spain?

It was heartache for La Roja when these two sides met in 2023’s European Championship final.

Curtis Jones’ strike proved the difference, but it was James Trafford who emerged the hero, saving Abel Ruiz’s last-gasp penalty to secure the title for the Young Lions.

Lee Carsley will be eager for a repeat!

(PA Wire)

(PA Wire)

(PA Wire)

Will Castle21 June 2025 19:10

Line-ups CONFIRMED!

England XI: Beadle; Hinshelwood, Cresswell, Quansah, Livramento; Scott, Morton; Elliott, McAtee, Hutchinson; Stansfield.

Spain XI: Iturbe; Pubill, Tarrega, Mosquera, Bueno; Guerra, Turrientes; Sanchez, Moleiro, Lopez; Joseph.

Will Castle21 June 2025 18:59

Last time out for the Young Lions

England missed out on an easier quarter-final draw after they were beaten 2-1 by Germany in their final group game in Slovakia to finish runners-up in Group B.

Lee Carsley's side needed a victory in Nitra to go through to the knockout rounds in first place, but despite already-qualified Germany making 11 changes, the reigning champions struggled to impose themselves and conceded both goals in the first half.

An excellent finish by Eintracht Frankfurt winger Ansgar Knauff and a header from forward Nelson Weiper of Mainz sent the 2023 winners to defeat and left them to face pre-tournament favourites Spain - who they beat in the final two years ago.

Read the full report below:

England U21s beaten by much-changed Germany but still qualify for Euros knockouts

England U21s 1-2 Germany U21s: Lee Carsley’s side progress to the quarter-finals despite defeat

Will Castle21 June 2025 18:45

Odds for the quarter-final

Spain win - 5/4

Draw - 12/5

England win - 21/10

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Will Castle21 June 2025 18:30

Spain team news

For Spain, defender Marc Pubill is a doubt after coming off against Italy with an injury, and he could be replaced by Eric Garcia, with Barcelona’s Gerard Martin replacing him at left-back.

Barcelona’s Pablo Torre could come in to the starting line-up ahead of Alberto Moleiro, while Valencia’s Javi Guerra will hope to earn a place over Mikel Jauregizar or Pablo Marin.

Jesus Rodriguez will hope to keep his wing place after scoring against Italy, with Raul Moro and Roberto Fernandez potentially completing the forward line as they did against the Azzurri.

Predicted Spain XI: Cunat; Pubill, Marin, Herzog, Garcia; Jauregizar, Marin; Moro, Torre, Rodriguez; Fernandez.

Will Castle21 June 2025 18:15

England team news

For England, Birmingham’s Jay Stansfield will be hoping to make the starting line-up ahead of Jonathan Rowe, while James McAtee could come in for Harvey Elliott in attacking midfield.

Tino Livramento could come in for Jack Hinshelwood at right-back, while Tyler Morton will hope to make an appearance in midfield.

Predicted England XI: Beadle; Livramento, Cresswell, Quansah, Iling-Junior; Anderson, Scott; Nwaneri, Elliott, Hutchinson; Rowe.

Harvey Elliott could be dropped for James McAtee (REUTERS)

Will Castle21 June 2025 18:00

Is England U21 vs Spain U21 on TV? How to watch European Championship quarter-final

The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Saturday, 21 June in Trnava, Slovakia.

It will take place at the at the Anton Malatinský stadium, which is home to local side Spartak Trnava and has a capacity of around 19,200.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the UK can watch the match for free on Channel 4, with coverage starting at 7.15pm. Subscribers can also stream the action online via Channel 4 On Demand.

Will Castle21 June 2025 17:45