England U21 are through to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 after defeating Spain U21 3-1 in a high-stakes quarter-final showdown — a rematch of the 2023 final that once again went the way of the Young Lions.

It was a lightning-fast start from the defending champions, as James McAtee and Harvey Elliott struck within the first 15 minutes to give England a commanding early lead. The Spanish side, finalists in the previous tournament, managed to claw one back before half-time through a penalty confidently converted by Javi Guerra, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and keeping the game on edge.

The second half saw both sides create chances, but it was in the dying minutes that the decisive moment arrived. A costly error from the Spain goalkeeper led to a penalty for England — calmly slotted home by Curtis Anderson — sealing a deserved 3-1 win.

Euro U21 2025

Spain - England 1:3 (1:2)
Goals: Mcatee, 10 (0:1); Elliott H., 15 (0:2); Javi Guerra, 39 (penalty) (1:2); Anderson E., 94 (penalty) (1:3)

Spain: Iturbe; Pubill; Mosquera Cr.; Tarrega; Javi Guerra; Turrientes (Moro R., 57); Moleiro (Хесус Родригес, 78); López D. (Fernández Rob., 71); Joseph (Torre P., 71); Juanlu Sánchez (Jauregizar, 57); Bueno H.
Bench: Torres A. F.; Cunat; Marín Ra.; Herzog; Marin P.; Robledo
Red cards: Marín Ra. 90'

England: Beadle; Livramento; Quansah; Cresswell C.; Hinshelwood; Morton T.; Mcatee (Hackney, 71); Hutchinson (Rowe J., 52); Scott A. (Anderson E., 51); Elliott H. (Norton-Cuffy, 71); Stansfield (Nwaneri, 81)
Bench: Simkim; Sharman-Lowe; Edwards Ro.; Egan-Riley; Fellows; Gray; Iling
Yellow Cards: Morton T. 34; Rowe J. 86; Mcatee 90