James McAtee, Harvey Elliott and Elliot Anderson inspire England to a famous win over Spain, writes NATHAN SALT, as Under-21’s reach Euros semi-finals

Three years ago it was here in Trnava where England’s Under-19’s clinched the European Championships and on Saturday night Lee Carsley’s Under-21’s side produced another famous night by downing Spain 3-1 to reach the semi-finals.

England won this tournament in Georgia two years ago but had flattered to deceive in the tournament so far, stumbling out of the groups and they arrived here as underdogs, not that any of the players agreed.

While only two players from that triumphant Under-19s group started here, this group showed every bit of the championship DNA they need if they are to go all the way to defend their title next weekend in Bratislava.

Carsley told some home truths to his players after they lost their final group game 2-1 to Germany and he shuffled his pack with four changes here.

In came captain James McAtee and Tino Livramento, while Tyler Morton and Jay Stansfield received their first starts of the tournament. It was bold from Carsley to take Elliot Anderson and Ethan Nwaneri, two of England’s brightest players at these Euros, out of the side.

Less than 90 seconds in it looked like it would be a case of deja vu for Carsley and his players when Italian referee Simone Souza pointed to the spot for a handball on Charlie Cresswell.

James McAtee (centre) scored and captained England to a famous quarter-final win over Spain

Harvey Elliott made it 2-0 to England on a dream night in Trnava for Lee Carsley’s players 

Carsley rubbished suggestion pre-match that his Young Lions would be the underdogs here

Germany took the lead three minutes in and here were Spain with the chance to punish England inside two minutes, only for VAR to intervene and overturn.

That was a game-changing moment for England, who looked a team transformed in the immediate aftermath of the non-penalty award.

They found a way to dominate possession, Morton and Alex Scott doing a brilliant job at passing it around frustrated Spanish markers and 10 minutes in England got their reward.

Scott’s whipped in corner was inadvertently flicked on at the near post by a Spanish head and it was McAtee who reacted quickest to the loose ball, firing into the corner from eight yards out.

Carsley and his staff kept their cool, nothing had been won with another 80 minutes remaining.

But even they allowed themselves a chance to celebrate when five minutes later they were two goals in front.

This time Jarrell Quansah, who is on the brink of sealing a move from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen, strode forward purposefully into midfield and then the edge of the box before unleashing a fizzing low drive at goal.

Spanish goalkeeper Alejandro Iturbe spilled the shot and before he had chance to gather at the second attempt Harvey Elliott had raced in to score and had wheeled off in celebration. England found themselves in dreamland.

Jarrell Quansah gave a penalty late in the first half and he was devastated at the mistake

Javi Guerra converted from the spot but Spain would go on to be shutout from thereon in 

MATCH FACTS FROM TRNAVA 

ENGLAND (4-2-2-2): Beadle 7; Livramento 7, Cresswell 7, Quansah 6, Hinshelwood 6; Scott 6 (Anderson 52, 6.5), Morton 7; Hutchinson 7 (Rowe 52, 6), Elliott 7 (Norton-Cuffy 70); Stansfield 6.5 (Nwaneri 82), McAtee 7.5 (Hackney 70)

Goals: McAtee (10), Elliott (15), Anderson (90+3 pen)

Booked: Morton, Rowe

SPAIN (4-2-3-1): Iturbe; Pubill, Tarrega, Mosquera, Bueno; Turrientes (Jaureguizar 57), Guerra; Juanlu (Moro 57), Moleiro, Lopez (Fernandez 71); Joseph (Torre 71)

Goals: Guerra (39 pen)

ATT: 8,247

So, for England to head into the break only one goal up instead of two, and for it to have been their own sloppiness that brought on a Spain goal, will have wrangled.

Scott was far too casual on the edge of his own box and having been robbed of possession, Alberto Moleiro skipped inside and was fouled by the outstretched leg of Quansah. Penalty. No need for VAR this time.

Javi Guerra waited for James Beadle to dive the other way and he coolly slotted in to reduce the deficit at 2-1. Game on.

Spain rallied, as England knew they would, and Guerra had two bites at the apple to draw them level on the hour mark when Raul Moro’s cutback found him unmarked in the area, only this time Beadle came up huge for England with two reactionary saves.

Carsley challenged his players to show they are up for the fight after being turned over too lightly against Germany and bodies were on the line late on here.

Charlie Cresswell, who was outstanding on the night, made some huge blocks as Spain continued to send the artillery towards Beadle in goal.

England really should have given themselves breathing room when substitute Anderson found an unmarked Jack Hinshelwood six yards out, only for him to head over with 15 minutes left on the clock.

That parity came in stoppage time when a frantic Iturbe raced out of his goal aimlessly and was late to the ball after Jonathan Rowe, sent on from the bench, got their first. Penalty England, confidently dispatched by Anderson.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk