U-21 euros: England retains the European Championship, beats Germany 3-2 in final

Jonathan Rowe came from the bank to score an extra time goal that Holder England gave a 3-2 victory over Germany in the final of the European Championship under 21 on Saturday after it had a lead of two goals sliding.

The side of Lee Carsley retained the title that won two years ago, causing the total trek from England to four, but it was completely pushed by a German side, which came in the final as the favorite and had defeated England in the group stage.

«I am so happy for them; being European champions for the second time is a great achievement and the challenge is now to do it again in two years,» Carsley told Channel 4.

«I’m going to try to enjoy tonight. It’s important. I love my work, I am very proud of the work I do, I like to work with the players. It is important that they have a Shandy or two tonight.»

England took the lead in the fifth minute when Omari Hutchinson had saved his effort by the ‘keeper and a defensive permission fell on Harvey Elliot who had time and space to choose his place and send a low shot in the nearby pole.

Elliot started the movement for the second goal of England with a broken pass to the path of James Mcatee and when the midfielder found his route blocked by two defenders, he took the ball to Hutchinson, who brought his strike through the keeper’s legs.

Hutchinson walked away in the celebration after his 24th minute goal, but Germany withdrew one in extra time for the break. Paul Nebel crossed the wing and Nelson Weiper was undisputed to provide a header past England keeper James Beadle with power.

The equalizer came in the 61st minute of a corner kick that went all the way to Nebel, wide in the area, which pulled in and rode the ball in the far top corner.

Both parties created further opportunities, but extra time was needed and England went back within two minutes for the front when replacement Tyler Morton drove a perfect ball in the box and the unmarked Rowe went home.

«I came into play with the mentality to do everything I could to help the team,» Rowe told Channel 4.

«I didn’t start, but I knew that at some point we would all have to get to the couch, make a difference and help the team push it over the line.»

Rowe replaced Elliot at the end of the normal time and made an immediate impact. After his goal, there was no way back for Germany when England was firmly held under the ending pressure, where the Germans touched the woodwork in extra time.

The defeat brought the 20-game unbeaten run of the Germans to an end. The last loss was against England in the 2023 tournament and two years to the day since that game, England triumphed again.

England Senior Manager Thomas Tuchel looked from the stands and the German, who had difficulty impressing in his early days that are in charge, may seem like a part of Carsley’s lace and tactics for a brighter English future.

«I had a chance with the senior team and I think that’s great, so the best thing I can do is help the path and try to help the senior team,» said Carsley.