Spain's and England's players push each others after a quarter final soccer match between Spain and England at the European U-21
Spain and England players clashed at the U21 Euros (Image: AP)
A ferocious fracas erupted between England and Spain's under-21 teams after their intense European Championship quarter-final match ended in a 3-1 triumph for England, booking them a semi-final tie with the Netherlands.
The tumult unfolded in Trnava, Slovakia, where Spanish vexation collided with English elation. Team coaches intervened to pry apart the players, with match officials joining the effort.
Spanish player Rafa Marin was sent off post-match while England's James McAtee, who found the net during the game, was booked.
The bedlam seemed to be triggered by a dangerous tackle on a Newcastle United full-back in the match's waning moments. Livramento, as he tried to clear the ball to waste time, narrowly escaped a high tackle from a Spanish forward.
At the blow of the final whistle, chaos ensued. Harvey Elliott faced aggression with Spain's substitute goalkeeper grabbing his throat, Livramento became a focal point celebrating in the face of the Spanish squad, whilst McAtee was encircled by irate Spanish players.
England players
England beat Spain 2-1 (Image: GETTY)
McAtee, eyed by Newcastle for a potential transfer, commented on the brawl: "I never saw the challenge (on Livramento). I saw the boys start going into it, so always going in to help. It's part of football, and you just have to stick together as a team. It's a big game, we know that.
"It's two big teams in the tournament, so them kicking off, we can't sit back and just let them do it, we have to give them a bit back, so I am happy with the boys."
After some initial jostling, calm settled on the pitch as the players exchanged quick handshakes, signalling their readiness to focus on the task ahead. Lee Carsley's lads are now primed to defend their hard-won title from 2023.
Skipper McAtee, alongside Liverpool hotshot Elliott - who is one of only two players in the squad to lift the trophy last year - delivered an early one-two punch with a pair of goals in the first quarter-hour. Elliot Anderson, once Newcastle’s academy whizz, wrapped things up nicely with a penalty deep into added time.
Carsley's tactical reshuffle of his starting XI, ringing in four alterations, initially caused a stir but turned out to be a masterstroke. The audacious moves rejuvenated his Lion cubs whilst bravely benching midfield talisman Anderson.
Spain's and England's players push each others after a quarter final soccer match between Spain and England at the European U-21
Spain's and England's players push each others after a quarter final soccer match between Spain and England at the European U-21 Championship at the Anton Malatinsky Stadium, in Trnava, Slovakia, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (Image: AP)
Fresh from past disappointments - a drab draw with Slovenia and a loss to Germany - the Young Lions roared back into contention in Slovakia, showcasing not only their skills but remarkable spirit too.
England survived two early frights, initially when Diego Lopez narrowly missed a header from close proximity, and then when Spain were awarded a penalty after Lopez's shot struck the hand of Charlie Cresswell. Cresswell had attempted to hide his arms behind his body and, luckily, this was swiftly recognised by VAR assistant Daniele Chiffi, resulting in referee Simone Sozza overturning the decision.
England promptly capitalised on this stroke of luck, with returning skipper McAtee netting the first goal at the 10-minute mark after Spain failed to clear their lines following Alex Scott's threatening corner. Scott's delivery grazed off the head of Benat Turrientes before Cristhian Mosquera redirected the ball into the path of Manchester City ace McAtee, who gladly swept it home.
Five-time champions Spain appeared shell-shocked five minutes later when Carsley's eager Three Lions ruthlessly doubled their lead through Elliott. The goal was crafted on Merseyside, with Bayer Leverkusen-bound centre-back Jarell Quansah venturing forward and shooting from distance.
The shot was mishandled by Alejandro Iturbe and Elliott outsmarted the offside trap to prod into the vacant net.
England, playing with fluidity, nearly added a third goal when Livramento embarked on a powerful run down the right, but Spain managed to weather the storm. Six minutes before half-time, La Roja were thrown a lifeline when Cresswell fouled Alberto Moleiro in the penalty area, and this time, he couldn't evade punishment.
Mateo Joseph, formerly of Leeds, initially took the ball but was relieved of penalty duties after missing a shot from 12 yards in Spain's opening group match against Slovakia. Valencia's Javi Guerra showed Joseph how it should be done, coolly sending James Beadle the wrong way.
However, Brighton's promising goalkeeper Beadle redeemed himself on the hour mark with a crucial double save to deny Guerra, before Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton, making his first start of the tournament, almost scored a third. Jack Hinshelwood narrowly missed a header at the far post, but England finally sealed the game at the end, despite tensions flaring up at full-time.
In the final moments, Jonathan Rowe broke free and was fouled by Spanish goalkeeper Iturbe, allowing Newcastle star Anderson to confidently convert the penalty.