England’s Under-21 European Championship quarter-final win over Spain has been marred following a shocking post-match brawl.
The Young Lions sealed their place in the semi-final thanks to a 3-1 victory on Saturday night at Anton Malatinsky Stadium.
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But tempers quickly flared following the full-time whistle which led to players having to be dragged off the pitch.
England defender Charlie Cresswell, who joined Ligue 1 oufit Toulouse from Leeds last summer, could be seen with hands around his neck.
Cresswell had to held back from Spain striker Mateo Joseph, who he played alongside at Elland Road, from retaliating.
The centre-back was eventually led away following a feisty exchange with Valencia’s Cristhian Mosquera.
Meanwhile Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton appeared to confront a member of the Spanish entourage, before England boss Lee Carsley calmed him down.
It remains unclear what sparked the heated scenes which saw agitated Spain players get in the face of England’s next crop of stars.
Almost every outfield player was involved in the scrap, which some players having to be pulled off each other by staff and officials.
For his role in the melee, Napoli centre-back Rafa Marin was shown a red card.
The 23-year-old was an unused substitute from the game, but sprinted onto the pitch in a moment of madness.
As for Manchester City playmaker James McAtee, he received a caution for his part in the unsavoury scenes.
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In his bid to put an end to the chaos, Arsenal and Chelsea icon Ashley Cole – England’s assistant manager – ordered his players to get back in the dressing room to avoid further trouble.
England will now be hoping that Italian match official Cristhian Mosquera decides against handing any England player further punishment as they look o avoid any repercussions.
Commenting on the drama to Channel 4, Liverpool’s Harvey Elliot said: “It was always going to happen because of the passion from both teams.
“It is one of those where I was trying to calm everyone down.
“End of the day, we have got everything to lose.
“They don’t, they can get players sent off. We can’t lose players for the semi-final.”
The Netherlands now stand in England’s way of reaching back-to-back finals after they won the tournament in 2023.
And it was against Spain that England prevailed against in two years ago, as they once again repeated their heroics.
McAtee got England off to a dream start in the tenth minute, before Elliott doubled their lead five minutes later.
Spain then pulled a goal back just before half-time through Javi Guerra’s penalty, before Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson secured the win with his own spot-kick in second half stoppage time.