Tempers flare after England beat Spain to reach Under-21 Euros semi-final

 England U21 3 Spain U21 1

England’s Under-21 European Championship quarter-final triumph over Spain resulted in a full-time brawl. It almost perfectly personified the Young Lions’ battling performance as they kept their title defence alive.

An excessive and chopping challenge on Tino Livramento as England killed the tie saw tempers rise, with the scenes that followed more suited to WWE’s Royal Rumble than the Under-21 Euros.

Spain’s back-up goalkeeper had Harvey Elliott by his neck. Ashley Cole was needed to drag Jonathan Rowe away. Charlie Cresswell was front and centre, battling for his side as he did all evening. The tie was not short of passion.

England survived an early scare when VAR reversed a penalty against Charlie Cresswell after Diego López’s shot hit his arm. A welcome lifeline. There had been a wait for defending champions England to burst into life at this tournament. The overturned penalty served as the much-needed catalyst.

The introduction of Jay Stansfield, who was making his first start, provided the focal point England had longed for. His intelligent runs offered balance. The Young Lions had found fluidity in attack when they needed it most.

After thriftlessness in the groups, it finally clicked in front of goal for Lee Carsley’s side. Alex Scott’s 10th-minute corner was inadvertently flicked on by a Spanish defender and into the penalty area. James McAtee roamed onto the ball and slotted away. England had arrived.

Five minutes later, that punishing instinct was on show again. An England turnover saw Jarell Quansah maraud forward before unleashing a long-range strike. His attempt, spilt by Alejandro Iturbe, fell directly into the path of Elliott, who tapped home with ease.

England had transformed into an incisive attacking force. While Carsley had targeted his side to control the ball against the Spanish, they found joy on the break with Omari Hutchinson, Elliott and Livramento impairing Spain in wide areas.

Spain, however, were not going out without a fight. They upped the ante shortly after falling two behind. Their perseverance was soon rewarded when Alberto Moleiro profited off Scott’s loose pass and ventured into the England box. Quansah, caught in two minds, was drawn into dangling his leg, and Spain were awarded a penalty. Javi Guerra stood over it and calmly rolled the spot-kick to James Beadle’s left, the keeper diving in the opposite direction.

In a rematch of the 2023 final, where England ran out 1-0 victors, the focus shifted to survival for the Young Lions. Spain had worked through the gears and looked an attractive side.

Cresswell was frequently called into action for England. His committed blocks were crucial. Beadle was required to maintain England’s advantage when a speedy double save denied Guerra a leveller. It was all a bit too close for England’s liking. Spain had found space. Their inquisition into the wide areas was akin to the Young Lions’ expeditious start.

Despite the Spanish improvement, England continued to craft clear-cut chances. Stansfield, who had run himself into the ground with his dirty work, had a brilliant attempt blocked after he took Hutchinson’s backheel in his stride. The forward’s contributions validated Carsley’s decision to opt for a conventional No 9. He nearly wrapped up the tie in the 77th minute, heading Elliot Anderson’s cross just over the bar.

England rallied and dug deep. Cresswell was heroic at the back. Their persistence in defence offered one final break. Substitute Rowe nipped ahead of the goalkeeper and won a late penalty before Anderson dispatched to book England’s spot in the semi-final.

Although the scenes were unsavoury at the end, they demonstrated England’s passion. Every player went to bat for the team. It was a defence against the Spanish that Sir Francis Drake would have been proud of.

“I saw the boys start going into it,” said captain McAtee. “I was always going in to help. It’s part of football; you must stick together as a team.

“It’s a big game, we know that. It’s two big teams in the tournament, so with them kicking off, we can’t sit back and just let them do it, we must give them a bit back. I am happy with the boys.”

Knocking out tournament favourites Spain, the Young Lions have set up a semi-final against the Netherlands on Thursday evening, where they will bid to reach the final of consecutive tournaments.

England (4-2-2-2): Beadle; Livramento, Cresswell, Quansah, Hinshelwood; Scott (Anderson 51), Morton; Elliott (Norton-Cuffy 71), Hutchinson (Rowe 52); McAtee (Hackney 72), Stansfield (Nwaneri 81).

Booked: Morton, McAtee.

Goals: McAtee 10, Elliott 15, Anderson 90+4 pen.

Spain (4-2-3-1): Iturbe; Pubill, Tárrega, Mosquera, Bueno; Turrientes (Moro 57), Guerra; Sánchez (Jauregizar 57), Moleiro (Rodríguez 78), López (Fernández 71); Joseph (Torre 71).

Red card: Marin.

Goal: Guerra 39 pen.

Referee: Simone Sozza

10:20 PM BST

Lee Carsley speaking

We talked about getting a fast start and to give a penalty away after a minute... 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.