La Rojita Advances to Quarterfinals in Style

Spain reaches the quarterfinals of the Under-21 European Championship with the satisfaction of topping their group. After securing their place in the knockout stage with narrow victories against hosts Slovakia and Romania, a draw against Italy, the other most successful team in the history of the category, was enough to set up a meeting with Germany, England, or Slovenia for a place in the semifinals, brimming with confidence.

La Rojita killed two birds with one stone, being competitive while implementing a massive rotation policy to conserve energy. Spain made ten changes compared to the previous two matches, a revolution mirrored by the Italian lineup. Only Marc Pubill and Coppola repeated in both teams, who saved their best players for the decisive knockout phase with the main objective already in hand.

Spain, having scored more in their first two matches of the tournament, only needed a draw. However, they took the initiative from the start, with a more proactive attitude than a somewhat flat Italy. The skilful Raúl Moro and Jesús Rodríguez provided La Rojita with bite on the wings, pushing the match towards the small Azzurra's territory.

It seemed like a dream start, which nevertheless became blurred as the minutes passed and the Italian reaction, capable of threatening with a long-range shot from Fazzini that opened Pablo Campos' save account. Santi Denia, restless on the sidelines, calmed his nerves with Spain's first notable chance, a high shot from Moleiro, Villarreal's new player. It was one of the most notable opportunities in a first half with more struggle than precision.

La Rojita, from more to less in the initial delivery, reversed the trend after the break. The Spanish team had taken control of the ball when Moleiro rubbed the lamp and found Raúl Moro's run down the right flank, from where the Valladolid winger served to the heart of the area for Jesús Rodríguez's finish.

Spain had done the hardest part, but the joy was short-lived. Pisilli used his skill to shake off Pablo Marín's marking and fired a cross-shot past Campos. It was over in a flash. It was time to start over and preserve a draw that secured the top spot in the group. In that situation, Denia called on starters like Javi Guerra, Diego López, Juanlu, and Pablo Torre.

With some of their best players on the field, La Rojita expertly controlled the final stretch of the match. They had the victory in a low shot from Roberto Fernández, and finally, beyond a long and wide shot from Pisilli, they did not suffer to maintain the draw, which allows them to reach the quarterfinals in style.