Spain national under-21 football team
Nickname(s) | La Rojita (The Little Red [One]) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Association | Royal Spanish Football Federation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Head coach | Luis de la Fuente | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Captain | Bryan Gil | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Most caps | Gerard Deulofeu (36) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top scorer | Gerard Deulofeu (17) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FIFA code | ESP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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First international | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yugoslavia 4–1 Spain (Zagreb, Yugoslavia; 9 October 1976) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Biggest win | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spain 14–0 San Marino (El Ejido, Spain; 8 February 2005) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Biggest defeat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Netherlands 5–0 Spain (Utrecht, Netherlands; 16 February 1983) Records for competitive matches only. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UEFA U-21 Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 13 (first in 1982) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Winners (1986, 1998, 2011, 2013, 2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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The Spain national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita (The Little Red [One]),[1] competes in the biennial UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Spain under-21 team was formed. Spain has a strong record (competition winners five times and runners-up twice); having consecutively won the 2011 and 2013 Championships. They hold the joint record with Italy for the most wins of the competition.
Since the under-21 competition rules insist that players must be 21 or under at the start of a two-year competition, technically it is an U-23 competition. For this reason, Spain's brief record in the preceding U-23 competitions is also shown, though in actuality, Spain played only three competitive U-23 matches. The first was in the "under-23 Challenge", which they lost, while the next two were in a two-team qualification "group" for the 1972 competition (facing the Soviet Union team, they lost 2–1 at home then drew 1–1 away and failed to qualify. Spain did not enter a team in the other two U-23 competitions, but have been ever present in under-21 competitions).
Spain's youth development programs has been challenging the South American dominance in the FIFA U-17 World Championship and the FIFA U-20 World Cup. In fact, 20 of the Spanish 23-man squad that won the Euro 2008 came through the ranks of the youth teams; most of them had won titles at the youth level as well.
Competitive record
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Record
Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1978 | Qualifying Stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
1980 | Qualifying Stage | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
1982 | Quarter-Finals | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 5 |
1984 | Runners-up | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 11 |
1986 | Champions | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 9 |
1988 | Quarter-Finals | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 4 |
1990 | Quarter-Finals | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
1992 | Qualifying Stage | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
1994 | Third Place | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 9 |
1996 | Runners-up | 14 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 34 | 14 |
1998 | Champions | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 6 |
2000 | Third Place | 14 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 31 | 7 |
2002 | Qualification Playoffs | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 9 |
2004 | Qualification Playoffs | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 5 |
2006 | Qualifying Stage | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 37 | 8 |
2007 | Qualification Playoffs | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
2009 | Group Stage | 13 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 7 |
2011 | Champions | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 8 |
2013 | Champions | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 5 |
2015 | Qualification Playoffs | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 25 | 8 |
2017 | Runners-up | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 43 | 12 |
2019 | Champions | 15 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 45 | 16 |
2021 | Semifinals | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 3 |
2023 | Qualified | ||||||
Total | 15/23 | 238 | 170 | 34 | 34 | 502 | 169 |
*Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
- Gold background color indicates first-place finish. Silver background color indicates second-place finish. Bronze background color indicates third-place finish.
- Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.
Individual awards
Spanish players have won individual awards at UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.
Year | Golden Player | Golden Boot |
---|---|---|
1986 | Manolo Sanchís | |
1998 | Francesc Arnau | |
2011 | Juan Mata | Adrián |
2013 | Thiago | Álvaro Morata |
2017 | Dani Ceballos | Saúl |
2019 | Fabián Ruiz |
Player records
Top appearances
Rank | Player | Club(s) | Year(s) | U-21 Caps |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gerard Deulofeu | Barcelona, Everton, Sevilla, Milan | 2012–2017 | 36 |
2 | Borja Mayoral | Real Madrid, VfL Wolfsburg, Levante | 2015–2019 | 31 |
Jorge Meré | Sporting Gijón, FC Köln | 2015–2019 | 31 | |
Iker Muniain | Athletic Bilbao | 2011–2014 | 31 | |
5 | Dani Ceballos | Betis, Real Madrid | 2015–2019 | 29 |
6 | Santi Denia | Albacete, Atlético Madrid | 1992–1996 | 27 |
David de Gea | Atlético Madrid, Manchester United | 2009–2013 | 27 | |
8 | Diego Capel | Sevilla | 2007–2011 | 25 |
Mikel Oyarzabal | Real Sociedad | 2017–2019 | 25 | |
Saúl | Atlético Madrid, Rayo Vallecano | 2013–2017 | 25 | |
Xavi | Barcelona | 1998–2001 | 25 |
Note: Club(s) represents all the clubs that players played in at the time they did it too in the Under-21s.
Top goalscorers
Rank | Player | Club(s) | Year(s) | U-21 Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gerard Deulofeu | Barcelona, Everton, Sevilla, Milan | 2012–2017 | 17 |
2 | Borja Mayoral | Real Madrid, VfL Wolfsburg, Levante | 2015–2019 | 16 |
3 | Rodrigo | Benfica | 2011–2013 | 15 |
4 | Isco | Málaga, Real Madrid | 2011–2014 | 14 |
5 | Álvaro Morata | Real Madrid, Juventus | 2013–2014 | 13 |
6 | Óscar | Barcelona, Albacete | 1992–1996 | 12 |
7 | Munir | Barcelona | 2014–2016 | 10 |
8 | Pablo Couñago | Celta, Recreativo, Ipswich Town | 1999–2001 | 9 |
Adrián | Deportivo, Alavés, Málaga, Atlético Madrid | 2007–2011 | 9 | |
Saúl | Atlético Madrid, Rayo Vallecano | 2013–2017 | 9 |
Note: Club(s) represents all the clubs that players played in at the time they did it too in the Under-21s.
- Caps and goals correct as of 3 September 2020.
Recent results
Forthcoming fixtures
Date | Competition | Location | Opponent |
---|
2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Group phase
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Spain | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 5 | +32 | 24 | Final tournament | — | 3–2 | 3–0 | 8–0 | 7–1 | ||
2 | Slovakia | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 10 | +8 | 15 | Play-offs | 2–3 | — | 2–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | Canc. | |
3 | Northern Ireland | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 18 | −10 | 7 | 0–6 | 1–0 | — | 4–0 | 0–2 | Canc. | ||
4 | Lithuania | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 22 | −15 | 7 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — | 2–1 | |||
5 | Malta | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 25 | −15 | 6 | 0–5 | 1–3 | 4–1 | 1–3 | — | Canc. | ||
6 | Russia[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Disqualified | Canc. | — |
Players
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the friendly match.[6]
- Match dates: 18 November 2022
- Opposition: Japan
- Caps and goals correct as of: 18 November 2022, after the match against Japan.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Julen Agirrezabala | 26 December 2000 | 5 | 0 | Athletic Bilbao | |
GK | Leo Román | 6 July 2000 | 1 | 0 | Mallorca | |
GK | Arnau Tenas | 30 May 2001 | 6 | 0 | Barcelona | |
DF | José Ángel Carmona | 29 January 2002 | 1 | 0 | Sevilla | |
DF | Arnau Comas | 11 April 2000 | 1 | 0 | Basel | |
DF | Mario Gila | 29 August 2000 | 3 | 0 | Lazio | |
DF | Sergio Gómez | 4 September 2000 | 12 | 6 | Manchester City | |
DF | Arnau Martínez | 25 April 2003 | 3 | 0 | Girona | |
DF | Jon Pacheco | 9 January 2001 | 7 | 0 | Real Sociedad | |
DF | Manu Sánchez | 24 August 2000 | 6 | 3 | Osasuna | |
MF | Nico González | 3 January 2002 | 6 | 0 | Valencia | |
MF | Aimar Oroz | 27 November 2001 | 1 | 0 | Osasuna | |
MF | Rodri Sánchez | 16 May 2000 | 9 | 2 | Betis | |
MF | Pablo Torre | 3 April 2003 | 1 | 0 | Barcelona | |
MF | Beñat Turrientes | 31 January 2002 | 11 | 2 | Real Sociedad | |
MF | Gabri Veiga | 27 May 2002 | 1 | 0 | Celta Vigo | |
FW | Álex Baena | 20 July 2001 | 4 | 1 | Villarreal | |
FW | Sergio Camello | 10 February 2001 | 7 | 0 | Rayo Vallecano | |
FW | Bryan Gil | 11 February 2001 | 14 | 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | |
FW | Hugo Novoa | 24 January 2003 | 4 | 1 | RB Leipzig | |
FW | Rodrigo Riquelme | 2 April 2000 | 7 | 3 | Girona | |
FW | Abel Ruiz | 28 January 2000 | 18 | 10 | Braga |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up within the last twelve months are still eligible for selection.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Miguel Morro | 11 September 2000 | 1 | 0 | Rayo Vallecano B | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
GK | Joan García | 4 May 2001 | 2 | 0 | Espanyol | v. Slovakia, 29 March 2022 |
DF | Alejandro Balde | 18 October 2003 | 2 | 0 | Barcelona | v. Japan, 18 November 2022 |
DF | Víctor Gómez | 1 April 2000 | 4 | 1 | Málaga | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
DF | Juan Miranda | 19 January 2000 | 14 | 3 | Betis | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
DF | Alejandro Francés | 1 August 2002 | 9 | 1 | Zaragoza | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
DF | Urko González de Zárate | 20 March 2001 | 1 | 0 | Real Sociedad B | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
DF | Guille Rosas | 17 May 2000 | 2 | 0 | Sporting Gijón | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
DF | Víctor Chust | 5 March 2000 | 4 | 0 | Cádiz | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
DF | Sergio Carreira | 13 October 2000 | 4 | 0 | Villarreal B | v. Slovakia, 29 March 2022 |
DF | Raúl Torrente | 1 March 2001 | 1 | 0 | Granada | v. Slovakia, 29 March 2022 |
MF | Unai Vencedor | 15 November 2000 | 8 | 0 | Athletic Bilbao | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
MF | Julen Lobete | 18 September 2000 | 5 | 3 | RKC Waalwijk | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
MF | Jon Ander Olasagasti | 16 August 2000 | 1 | 0 | Real Sociedad B | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
MF | José Gragera | 30 November 2000 | 3 | 0 | Sporting Gijón | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
MF | Robert Navarro | 12 April 2002 | 3 | 3 | Real Sociedad B | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
MF | Adrián Bernabé | 26 May 2001 | 1 | 0 | Parma | v. Malta, 7 June 2022 |
MF | Antonio Blanco | 23 July 2000 | 4 | 0 | Cádiz | v. Slovakia, 29 March 2022 |
MF | Oihan Sancet | 25 April 2000 | 4 | 0 | Athletic Bilbao | v. Lithuania, 25 March 2022 INJ |
FW | Jon Karrikaburu | 19 September 2002 | 2 | 0 | Real Sociedad B | v. Slovakia, 29 March 2022 |
FW | Sergio Gómez | 4 September 2000 | 8 | 6 | Manchester City | v. Slovakia, 29 March 2022 INJ |
FW | Nico Williams | 12 July 2002 | 5 | 0 | Athletic Bilbao | v. Lithuania, 25 March 2022 |
Former squads
- 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 1998 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 1994 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
See also
- Spain national football team
- Spain national under-23 football team
- Spain national under-20 football team
- Spain national under-19 football team
- Spain national under-18 football team
- Spain national under-17 football team
- Spain national under-16 football team
- Spain national under-15 football team
- Spain national youth football team
Notes
References
- ^ "La sub 21 regresa al lugar donde nació el 'tiqui-taca'" [The under-21 team returns to the birthplace of tiki-taka] (in Spanish). MARCA. 2011-06-09.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Russia suspended
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ UEFA.com (2022-02-28). "FIFA/UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions | Inside UEFA". UEFA.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Russia
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Uefa announces further sanctions on Russian clubs and national teams amid Ukraine invasion". BBC Sport. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ "De la Fuente da la lista para el amistoso ante Japón" (in Spanish). Real Federación Española de Fútbol. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.