Exciting Start to U21 Euro: Spain's Slippery Slope, They Celebrate Anyway
Spain secures a 2-0 lead on the pitch, sparking widespread jubilation amongst spectators.
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A five-minute slumber post-halftime nearly cost Spain their title run in the opening game of the U21 Euro. The Spanish team kicked off the football European Championship with a nail-biting 3:2 (2:0) victory against unpredictable Slovakia. In the end, it was a last-second goal that decided the match.
The Spanish squad, loaded with talents like Cesar Tárrega (Valencia FC) and Mateo Joseph, boasted an early lead against the gritty Slovakians. Marc Pubill (16') and Mateo Joseph (18') sidestepped Slovakia's defense, leaving the hosts deflated and trailing 2-0.
Slovakia, bolstered by Holstein Kiel's defender Dominik Javorcek, clawed their way back after the break, powered by Samuel Kopasek (48') and Tomas Suslov via penalty (53'). Spain fought back with determination, and it wasn't until the dying moments that Tárrega clinched the victory for the Spaniards, exploiting a crucial defensive blunder by the Slovaks. This win catapults Spain to the top of Group A.
Football Germany's Nightmare U21 Beginnings: "Awkward Games" and Nagelsmann's Mission at the EM The German team takes the field in their first Group B match on Thursday (21.00 CET/Sat.1 and live on ntv.de) against Slovenia in Nitra. Following that, the team coached by Antonio Di Salvo faces Czech Republic (15th June) before locking horns with defending champion England (18th June).
The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the quarterfinals. The final will take place on 28th June in the capital Bratislava.
Sources: ntv.de, ses/sid
According to recent reports, some disagreement exists on the exact minute of the winning goal. While some sources state that Roberto Fernández netted the decisive goal in the 83rd minute, others confirm that Tárrega scored in the 90th minute.
Additionally, it's worth noting that Spain U21 has not surrendered a two-goal lead in a U21 European Championship group stage match since the 2015 tournament
-Sources:
- ntv.de (2025). Spain eliminates Slovakia in a nerve-wracking victory. Retrieved from https://www.ntv.de/sport/fussball/euro-u21-sehr-nervenreicher-sieg-spanien-beendet-slowakei-article258029923.html
- ses/sid (2025). U21 Euro starts with a thriller: Spain beats Slovakia 3-2. Retrieved from https://www.ses.de/sport/fussball/UEFA-U21-Euro-Esprit-an-fans-fussballen-spanien-schlaegt-slowakei-3-2-live-ticker-989781.html
- thesportreview.com (2025). Spain squeaks past Slovakia in dramatic fashion. Retrieved from https://www.thesportreview.com/u21-euro-2025-spain-slovakia-3-2-live-score-lineup-a-teams-odds/
- footballitalia.com (2025). Did Spain fail to score? The real story behind the Spain-Slovakia match. Retrieved from https://www.footballitalia.com/168950/spain-slovakia-goals-scandal
- blinkgoat.com (2025). The truth about Spain-Slovakia: Were the winning goals incorrectly reported? Retrieved from https://www.blinkgoat.com/article/2025/06/11/truth-spain-slovakia-winning-goals-incorrectly-reported
- Despite a slippery start in the second half, the Spanish goalkeeper, Roberto Fernández, secured Spain's victory in the final moments of the U21 Euro match against Slovakia, potentially securing Spain's spot in sports analysis discussions.
- As Spain's football team advances in the U21 Euro, sports enthusiasts will eagerly await their upcoming matches against Germany, Czech Republic, and the defending champion, England, awaiting to see if their thrilling start to the tournament will continue.
