Spain U21 1-3 England U21: Anderson sends England’s Under-21s to semi-final | OneFootball

England managed to upset the odds at the UEFA Euro Under-21 Championship by defeating favourites Spain at the Štadión Antona Malatinského on Saturday evening.

James McAtee gave The Young Lions the lead on the 10 minute mark before Harvey Elliott doubled in five minutes later.

Spain pulled a goal back courtesy of Javi Guerra before halftime, but Elliot Anderson’s late penalty put the contest to bed. The result means England will now face the Netherlands in the semi-finals.

As it happened

In a contest between two of the world’s best youth teams in a knockout game, inevitably, there was always going to be drama.

Inside the opening two minutes, Spain were awarded a penalty after the ball struck the arm of Charlie Cresswell. However after a VAR review, Italian referee Simone Sozza overturned his decision.

Moments later, England opened the scoring in the 10th minute through their captain McAtee. After a scramble inside the box, England’s number 10 was in the perfect position to fire the ball into the bottom corner.

It only took The Young Lions four minutes to double their lead with an unexpected Liverpool duo at the heart of the attack.

Jarrel Quansah progressed into the attacking third and attempted to find the bottom corner, which was saved by Alejandro Iturbe.

Unfortunately for the Atlético Madrid B goalkeeper, he parried the ball into the path of Elliott, who tapped it into an unguarded net.

After late challenge from Quansah on Alberto Moleiro inside the area, Javi Guerra reduced the deficit from the penalty spot.

Momentum had shifted towards Spain but time was against them and Lee Carsley’s side were delaying the game at every opportunity to get to half-time.

Immediately after the restart, The Young Lions created two key chances, but failed to capitalise on either opportunity.

A cute backheel from Omari Hutchinson played Jay Stansfield through on goal, but his effort was blocked. On the corner shortly after, Cresswell’s header narrowly missed the target when it hit the side netting.

James Beadle denied Guerra of a second goal with two consecutive athletic saves; England were defending for their lives.

Substitute Anderson provided stability in England’s midfield, controlling the tempo of the game when the Nottingham Forest midfielder was in control of the ball.

Jack Hinshelwood had a golden opportunity to extend The Young Lions’ advantage, but the defender failed to keep his header down and narrowly missed the target.

Jonathon Rowe’s determination and speed allowed him to get to the ball before he was cleared out by an onrushing Iturbe and earned England a crucial spot kick.

Anderson calmly slotted away his penalty to send England into the last four of the competition, with a game against the Netherlands in the semi-finals to come.

The lineups

ENG: Beadle; Livramento, Cresswell, Quansah, Hinshelwood; Scott, Morton; Elliott, McAtee, Hutchinson; Stansfield