England: Young Lions stun favourites Spain as Under-21 European Championship title defence continues | OneFootball

2023 champions face the Netherlands in the last four

Lions’ roar: England celebrate James McAtee’s goal during 3-1 win over Spain

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England’s title defence continued as they defeated tournament favourites Spain 3-1 in the quarter-finals of the European Under-21 Championships.

They played some scintillating stuff at times, as Carsley was decisive in his team selection.

Those that were hauled off at the interval in the Germany defeat were dropped to the bench, as Jay Stansfield and Tyler Morton stepped into the side for their first starts of the tournament, with stars Ethan Nwaneri, Jonathan Rowe, and Anderson all amongst the substitutes.

Tino Livramento was reintroduced to the starting line-up, but was shifted back to his natural right-back berth, with Jack Hinshelwood playing at left-back - his third position of the tournament so far. Both were excellent as they marshalled the dangerous Spanish wide men - Diego Lopez and Juanlu - to perfection.

The Young Lions started the affair nervily, as Charlie Cresswell had the misfortune of giving away a penalty inside the opening two minutes. He was adjudged to have handled Loepz’s shot from outside the box, but VAR deemed the on-field decision too harsh, giving Carsley’s side a reprieve after a sloppy start.

After that initial scare, England responded brilliantly, attacking with purpose and throwing numbers forward bravely to match the Spanish intent.

They were duly rewarded on nine minutes when captain McAtee bundled home after Alex Scott’s corner caused chaos in the Spanish penalty area, and the Manchester City man was there to sweep home the opener.

It was two in the blink of an eye, and the second came straight from Merseyside, as Jarrell Quansah kept advancing unchallenged from the back, and he unleashed a powerful strike from distance, that Alejandro Iturbe could only parry. The rebound would fall kindly for Elliott following in, and his tap-in meant that England were two-up and cruising inside the first quarter-hour.

Quansah’s good work was undone when he felled Alberto Moleiro clumsily, and Javi Guerra stroked home the resulting penalty to make the final six minutes of the first-half that bit more nerve-inducing.

In the second, Santi Denia’s Spain were energised, and came out with an even more offensive mentality than before.

Their defensive line pushed higher and higher, but they struggled to really test England goalkeeper James Beadle, who was called upon once properly to deny Guerra from stroking in his second.

Spain’s high line was eventually punished at the death, with two substitutes - Rowe and Anderson - combining under a long punt upfield.

Anderson won the flick-on, which Rowe raced after. The Marseille forward beat the onrushing Iturbe to the ball, and was brought down by the Spanish ‘keeper for a late spot-kick.

Anderson coolly slotted home to send the England fans delirious, and the Young Lions into the semi-finals.