England-Spain is the final of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and will be played on Saturday at 18:00: news, live TV, streaming, formations and predictions.
Spain’s dream is still intact. If they win the final in Batumi against England, they would secure their sixth title and also overtake Italy in the continental event’s roll of honour. For England, on the other hand, it would be ‘only’ their third: the Young Lions will try to put an end to a fast that has been going on for almost 40 years.
Both have reached the final act in Batumi, Georgia, with full merit, confirming expectations in comparison to other big names such as Italy, Portugal, Germany and France, who surprisingly exited early. England had not gone this far since the 2009 edition, when they were then scrambled by Germany in the final. Ireland’s Lee Carsley has therefore followed in the footsteps of one of his predecessors, Stuart Pearce, but the former Everton midfielder – now England’s Under-21 selector – hopes the outcome will be different this time. England’s strength, although talent is plentiful from the waist up, has proved to be an impenetrable defence, which has not conceded a single goal between the group stage and the knockout phase. As many as five clean sheets in a row for the Young Lions, who at the same time scored a total of 10 goals. Having dominated their group, including helping to eliminate defending champions Germany, England struggled to beat Portugal in the quarter-finals, while in the semi-finals they strolled past Israel, who were swept aside 3-0.
Spain have never beaten the English (at U21 level)
Santi Denia’s Spain had a less clear-cut path to the final with a haul of four wins (one of them on penalties) and a draw.
Sancet’s exultation
The Iberians secured qualification with a round in advance even though excessive turnover on the third and final day against Ukraine was going to cost them dearly. But a goal from striker Ruiz in the final minutes allowed the five-time European champion selection to go through as first. How hard it was, however, to beat Switzerland in the quarter-finals: the Swiss, who had come through by the skin of their teeth in Italy’s group, dragged Spain into extra time. And only a goal from Gomez saved Rojita from dangerous penalty kicks. Everything was easy in the semi-final against Ukraine, who had surprisingly knocked out a battling France in the previous round. The Spanish attack did not fail to live up to expectations this time, with five different players scoring (5-1). Now the toughest test, that of England: Spain have never beaten England at Under-21 level and the last previous fixture, staged back in 2011, ended in a draw (1-1).
The Prediction
On the one hand an impeccable defence, which has not conceded a single goal during the tournament, and on the other a potentially devastating attack, which against Ukraine seems to have unblocked itself once and for all. We expect a very well-balanced final, between two star-studded selections with assured futures. England, who appeared very solid, could avoid defeat in regulation time but are unlikely to keep their goals unbroken again. Both should score at least one goal on each side.
England v Spain official line-ups
- INGHILTERRA U21 (4-4-2): Trafford; Garner, Harwood-Bellis, Colwill, Aarons; Smith-Rowe, Jones, Gomes, Palmer; Gibbs-White, Gordon.
- SPAGNA U21 (4-3-3): Tenas; V. Gomez, Paredes, Pacheco, Miranda; Baena, Blanco, Sancet; Sanchez, Ruiz, S. Gomez.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1