On a dramatic night in Slovakia, England Under-21s emerged victorious over Germany Under-21s to become European champions again.
England came out of the blocks in a flurry and were rewarded just five minutes in when Harvey Elliott opened the scoring. After a slick move that started with a free kick won by Alex Scott, Omari Hutchinson’s shot was parried by German goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, but Elliott was on hand to finish into the bottom right corner.
The Young Lions doubled their advantage in the 24th minute. Omari Hutchinson turned goalscorer after a fine assist from James McAtee, smashing a left-footed effort from the centre of the box into the heart of the goal to make it 2-0.
Germany responded just before the breakthrough Nelson Weiper, who headed home from close range after a well-worked corner routine involving Paul Nebel.
The German pressure continued into the second half, and they found an equaliser on the hour mark. Nebel, involved in the first goal, turned scorer this time, rifling a shot into the top right corner.
From there, the game ebbed and flowed, with both sides creating chances. James McAtee came close for England, while Germany’s Ansgar Knauff and Rocco Reitz fired just wide.
2025 #U21EURO Champions! 🏴🏆 pic.twitter.com/greApo11S1
— England (@England) June 28, 2025
Injuries began to pile up too, with both Alex Scott and Harvey Elliott forced off for England, while Nathaniel Brown had to be replaced for Germany.
With the match locked at 2-2 at the end of regulation, it headed into extra time. Just moments after the restart, substitute Jonathan Rowe provided the breakthrough.
In the 92nd minute, he met Tyler Morton’s brilliant cross, directing a header into the bottom corner to restore England’s lead.
The intensity never dipped, and Germany pushed hard for a leveller. Reitz came agonisingly close on two occasions – first firing high and wide just before the half-time break in extra time, and again minutes later with a left-footed strike from the right of the box that missed narrowly.
As the clock ticked down, Merlin Rohl had two golden opportunities to equalise. First, in the 120th minute, his left-footed drive from outside the box was blocked bravely by the England defence.
Then in stoppage time, he struck the bar with a thunderous right-footed effort, agonisingly close to forcing penalties.
Despite a nervy final few moments, England held on.
The match was a showcase of youth football at its most thrilling – five goals, end-to-end action, and high drama in extra time. England’s character to win consecutive tournaments is a testament to both Lee Carsley and his squad.
