The Beneath-21 European Championship begain in Slovakia on Wednesday night, with 2023 runners-up Spain beating the hosts in Bratislava with a last-minute winner.

Spain, overwhelmed by England within the 2023 closing, received 3-2 because of the late strike by Valencia defender Cesar Tarrega.

Objectives from Marc Pubill and Mateo Joseph – of newly-promoted Leeds United – put Spain 2-0 up inside 20 minutes however the hosts rallied to degree earlier than Tarrega’s winner.

“It was virtually like we overslept originally of the match,” stated Jaroslav Kentos, the Slovakia coach.

It is coming house, once more! 🦁🦁🦁

We’re bringing you EVERY sport from the U21s Euros, reside, solely throughout @Channel4‘s platforms 🎥#C4Sport | #England | #YoungLions pic.twitter.com/ZrjUwr1mic

— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) April 15, 2025

“We have been very passive; we conceded two objectives, however we acquired again into the match. We’re unhappy about Spain’s third objective, however I’m pleased with the boys as a result of they gave it their all – they performed with ardour. In fact, we’re not glad with the outcome – we have been shut to some extent.”

Italy beat Romania 1-0 within the different sport in Group A with the one objective of the sport coming from Tommaso Baldanzi of Roma, with goalkeeper Sebastiano Desplanches saving a penalty from Louis Munteanu.

England start their defence underneath Lee Carsley in opposition to Czechia on Thursday evening – read the preview here.

In Group C, one other stoppage-time winner gave Georgia a 2-1 win over Poland.

Nodar Lominadze’s objective was cancelled out by a penalty from Jakub Kaluzinski earlier than Vasilios Gordeziani received it for Georgia.

These three factors may provr important for Georgia in a stacked group as France and Portugal performed out a 0-0 draw.