Pablo García leads comeback, secures Under-21 Euro spot

The Spanish men's Under‑21 national team beat Romania 7‑1 on Tuesday, October 6, at the Municipal Stadium of Can Misses, Ibiza, and with that secured its ticket as group winner for the Under‑21 European Championship that will be contested next summer in Albania and Serbia.

Response to the Romanian early goal

Rares Burnete opened the scoring for Romania in the twenty‑seven minute, after capitalising on a loose ball from Yarek Gasiorowski. The goal set off alarms in the 'Little Red', which saw goalkeeper Codrut Sandu block Jan Virgili's header and clear another shot from Iker Bravo.

Although Spain kept the pressure near the opponent's area, the Romanians managed to extend their lead with the same play from Burnete, who struck under the crossbar after a poor clearance. The Spanish response came seven minutes later, when Iker Bravo threaded a pass that allowed Pablo García to beat the goalkeeper at the thirty‑four minute mark.

Comeback led by the Garcías

Real Racing winger Gonzalo García answered with a brace that turned the match around, while Yarek Gasiorowski headed home after a corner that hit the post. Pablo García completed his hat‑trick, scoring in the forty‑one minute and again in added time.

After Pablo García's second goal, Fulham striker Gonzalo García struck first‑time after a cross from Rafita, taking the tally to six goals at the fifty‑three minute. Iker Bravo sealed the score with a penalty in the sixty‑four minute, after a foul on Rodrigo Mendoza.

Coach David Gordo introduced players such as Chupe, a substitute for Carlos Espí, who had shone with five goals against San Marino but was left out of the starting eleven. Salvi Esquivel, Álex Valle and Chema Andrés also made their debuts as new additions to the lineup.

With this victory, Spain tops Group A with twenty‑seven points, after nine wins in ten matches; the sole defeat came against Finland (2‑1), which moves on as second. The squad, abbreviated as Esp, will now aim for the title and the Olympic spot for Los Angeles 2028 at the next European Championship.

The Under‑21 European Championship will be played next summer in Albania and Serbia, where the 'Little Red' will seek to be crowned champion and secure one of the three Olympic spots for Los Angeles 2028.