‘I saw the boys start going in' – The shocking ‘leg-breaker' challenge that sparked huge England vs Spain U21 brawl

The Irish Sun

6 days ago

A SHOCKING challenge on Tino Livramento sparked a huge bust-up during the Euro Under-21s clash between England and Spain.
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Marc Pubill flew in on Tino Livramento
Credit: X
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The incident sparked a huge melee
Credit: Getty
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Charlie Cresswell was in the thick of the action
Carsley's men sealed a place in the semis when
In the final moments of the game, Spanish full-back Marc Pubill wildly lunged towards England star Livramento.
Pubill flew in with his studs up, but luckily did not make contact with Livramento.
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Upon the final whistle moments later, tempers flared among players from both teams.
Plenty of pushing and shoving ensued, with England centre-half Charlie Cresswell even having hands placed around his neck at one point.
England coaching staff were desperate for none of their players to pick up a silly red card, which would have ruled them out of the semi-finals.
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Assistant boss Ashley Cole even stepped in to help break up the melee.
Unused Spanish sub Rafa Marin was sent off amid the carnage, while McAtee was booked for England.
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Reflecting on the flashpoint after the game, Carsley said: "I think there are better ways to build camaraderie! But I think we had something similar in the final [two years ago].
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"Emotions run very high and in those kinds of scenarios you don't want anyone to get sent off, anyone to throw a punch or get themselves in trouble.
"You try and be as respectful to both sides but you can see how much it means to the players. To represent your country in a quarter-final, it means a lot.
"We probably have to give them a bit of leeway. Thankfully it didn't go over the top but it's still not nice to see.
"We are always trying to fly the flag and encourage younger players especially to take up football and enjoy the game… but the passion was just a bit much."
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'WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM A BIT BACK'
Young Lions skipper McAtee added: "I never saw the challenge. I saw the boys start going into it, so always going in to help. It's part of football, and you just have to stick together as a team.
"It's a big game, we know that. It's two big teams in the tournament, so them kicking off, we can't sit back and just let them do it, we have to give them a bit back, so I am happy with the boys."
Fans watching at home were furious with Pubill's challenge, with one writing on X: "No wonder things kicked off at the end - that's a leg-breaker on Livramento. Shocking."
While a second fumed: "Disgusting from that player."
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Another called it "cowardly behaviour".
England will be back on action on Wednesday as they take on the Netherlands in the semi-finals.
Should they manage to get past the Dutch, either
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James McAtee and Lee Carsley reflected on the bust up
Credit: Getty
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