Spain U21 secures European Championship qualification with 7-1 win over Romania
David Gordo's side overcame an early deficit in Ibiza to seal top spot in their qualifying group and book a place at next summer's tournament in Albania and Serbia.
Early setback in Ibiza
Spain secured its place at the Under-21 European Championship on Tuesday evening with a 7-1 victory over Romania at the Estadio Municipal de Can Misses in Ibiza. Head coach David Gordo made several adjustments to the starting eleven, bringing in Fulham forward Gonzalo Garcia, goalkeeper Salvi Esquivel, Alex Valle, and Chema Andres. The reshuffle followed the call-up of Carlos Espi to the senior national squad by Luis de la Fuente to cover for the injured Ferran Torres, coming after Espi scored five goals in a 13-0 victory against San Marino. Spain threatened early in the fifth minute through a double chance when Romanian goalkeeper Codrut Sandu stopped a header from Jan Virgili and cleared the subsequent rebound from Iker Bravo. Despite controlling possession in the opening stages, Spain fell behind in the 27th minute when Romanian forward Rares Burnete seized on a loose clearance from defender Yarek Gasiorowski and scored with a low drive from the edge of the penalty area.
Pablo Garcia sparks the comeback
The concession prompted an immediate response from the home side, led by Racing de Santander winger Pablo Garcia. In the 34th minute, Iker Bravo slipped a pass into the box, allowing Garcia to level the match with a right-footed shot. Seven minutes later, Garcia delivered a corner that Gasiorowski directed into the net off the post in the 41st minute to overturn the deficit. Spain extended the margin before the interval when Gonzalo Garcia finished a pass from Chema Andres, followed by a second goal from Pablo Garcia in first-half stoppage time. Garcia sealed his hat-trick in the 47th minute, taking his tally to five goals in two matches following a brace against San Marino the previous Thursday.
- Codrut Sandu stops Jan Virgili header and clears Iker Bravo rebound
- Rares Burnete scores low drive to give Romania the lead
- Pablo Garcia levels for Spain from an Iker Bravo assist
- Yarek Gasiorowski heads in Pablo Garcia corner to put Spain ahead
- Pablo Garcia completes his hat-trick for Spain
Qualification campaign
Spain maintained control through the second half, with Gonzalo Garcia adding his second goal of the match and Las Palmas attacker Iker Bravo also scoring to finalize the 7-1 scoreline. The result confirmed Spain as group winners on the final matchday of qualifying, though a draw would have been sufficient to progress. Gordo's team completed the qualification phase with six victories and one defeat, a 2-1 loss against Finland. Across the qualifying cycle, Spain accumulated 35 goals while conceding three, highlighted by lopsided results against San Marino that included a 7-0 away win and the 13-0 home victory.
- Spain wins its first Under-21 European Championship
- Spain secures its second continental Under-21 title
- Spain wins its third Under-21 European Championship
- Spain retains trophy to earn fourth Under-21 European Championship
- Spain claims fifth title under manager Luis de la Fuente
Pursuit of a sixth continental crown
The victory sends Spain to the final tournament, which will take place in Albania and Serbia from 16 June to 3 July. Spain enters the competition aiming to win a sixth continental Under-21 championship. The national youth team previously lifted the trophy in 1986, 1998, 2011, 2013, and 2019, the most recent triumph coming under the direction of current senior national team coach Luis de la Fuente. The squad will head to the Balkans as one of the pre-tournament favorites following their decisive finish to the group stage.
