Spain loses revenge and exits in the quarterfinals

Sometimes the desire for revenge can weigh heavily on the mind and heart. It's not good to hold a grudge inside because it festers and can cloud your intentions. The advantage is that no one remains from that final lost in Georgia two years ago against England. These are the vicissitudes of the U-21s, a constant and dynamic rotation. The coach, Santi Denia , remains, who hasn't forgotten it and had, as his great goal, securing our country's sixth European title and breaking the tie with Italy at the summit. That will no longer be the case. [Narration and statistics, 1-3]

Spain started with a cyclone. Less than 100 seconds had passed and they had already racked up three shots on goal. The last, a Diego López shot that hit Cresswell 's arm, resulted in a penalty on the pitch, disallowed by VAR. Absolutely unpredictable, this handball, especially when the Asturian's shot was headed for the goal. But that push was a fleeting mirage; England quickly took control.

Denia went out with their Plan A. All eleven regular players were replaced, except for the forced substitution of Bueno due to Martín 's injury, already in the first matchday, and Moleiro for Torre , valuing the Canary Islander's growth in the tournament. Players who had the challenge of coming back again, as they did against Romania, since they were losing by two goals before the 15th minute. The first was scored by McAtee from a corner after several rebounds. And the second was scored by Elliot , taking advantage of Iturbe's rebound from a Quansah shot from the edge of the area after Pubill fell asleep and set up the British star.

The goals didn't generate anger in Spain, but rather gave the English team more impetus, who were able to easily overcome Spain's weak pressure and threaten Iturbe 's goal against a Denia team that seemed in shock. Two consecutive fouls by Tárrega seemed to awaken the Spanish team a bit. They showed the rest that grit was needed if they weren't going to go down at the first opportunity.

The Spanish closed in on the British, and in a superb combination between Moleiro, Guerra, and Joseph , the ball ended up at the feet of the Canary Islander, who dribbled off a tile and forced the Liverpool player to take a penalty. The Valencian player scored and almost repeated the feat a minute later with a shot from outside the area. It was already raining less, and the dynamics, something coaches like to repeat so often, had changed.

The break suited England well, as they threatened from two corners and began to create more danger. Spain were sluggish until Jauregizar and Moro came on, especially the latter, a great match-maker, although he was nursing a slight injury in his thigh. The Valladolid player set up Guerra 's equalizer after a one-two with Moleiro . But the Valencian player's double shot hit Beadle 's hands.

Spain blatantly shifted their play to the right flank because Moro was constantly getting away from his opponent, but they began to lack consistency, which gave England some breathing room. During this period of uncertainty, England came close to finally edging out the semi-finals from a corner, but Hinshelwood 's shot went high.

Lack of play

Jesús Rodríguez came on to balance the Spanish attack and revive Denia's team. They needed more speed in the closing minutes and, above all, more presence in the opposition's half. But continuity wasn't forthcoming, and their options came through difficult crosses for Roberto , who had come on for Joseph , to face the burly British center-backs.

Spain poured in all their efforts to find the equalizer that would force extra time, but the English defense was a wall and their counterattacks were threatening. Their pressure went unrewarded, and La Rojita lacked revenge. A penalty in stoppage time was the final straw. Anderson converted it. Denia , who was booked in stoppage time, will not be able to fulfill their dream of winning their sixth European title and breaking the tie against Italy in the U-21 summit. It's a shame, but La Rojita lacked play.