England U21 3 – 2 Germany U21

England has retained its U21 European Championship title after retaining the battery of Germany 3-2 after the extension in a captivating final in Bratislava.

The Young Lions won the tournament in 2023 with a 1-0 victory against Spain in Georgia and followed it in Bratislava, just under two years later, repeating the feat that the nation reached in 1982 and 1984.

The victory occurred only 10 days after the Lee Carsley team had lost 2-1 in the same match during the tournament group phases.

There was barely a while to breathe throughout. Harvey Elliott and Omari Hutchinson put England 2-0 in 25 minutes, but it was 2-2 just after the hour, with goals from Nelson Weiper and Paul Nebel who finally sent the match nearby.

At the end of the 90 minutes – and again with almost the last kick of the extension – Antonio Di Salvo Germany struck the crossbar.

But the victory was sealed in the first two minutes of the additional 30, with the third touch of Jonathan Rowe as a substitute who took a look at a sumptuous Tyler Morton Cross to seal a historic victory.

Elliott had illuminated the semi-final on Wednesday against the Netherlands, scoring the two goals which ensured the progress of England-and before the match even really started, he looted his fifth of the tournament, ending a move he initiated by forging in the lower right corner.

The young Lions were already overflowing with confidence, but the first goal took this from a notch and they started to cut the Germans open at will.

With 24 minutes on the clock, they added a second. The sublime connection game between Elliott and James Mcatee allowed the latter to retain two men and find Hutchinson, who struck the legs of Noah Autuboli – and celebrated with a perilous brand.

An alarm clock was delivered to England in time of time, just after losing Alex Scott because of the injuries. Nebel had time to lift a crossing of the left which found Weiper who, in short pressure, planted a ball head in front of James Beadle.

Germany found the peak blow that had missed first half in the second. England has started to offer them space, nothing more than when they have drawn. A corner fell for Nebel, who had been able to choose his place in little pressure, with the unfortunate contact by Jay Stansfield helping a big shot on the line.

At the very end of the second half which had reflected and flowed in the true sense of the sentence, the same man almost won him. Nebel’s shot from the edge of the box struck the Brooke Norton-Cuffy boot and time seemed to remain motionless while it turned to the upper corner, then Canonna at the back of the transverse bar.

Elliott and Mcatee were removed with CRAMP in the moments before additional time – and in the seconds of his introduction, Rowe wrote his name in history books with the invaluable touch.

“It will be just as satisfactory as 2023”

Adam Bate from Sky Sports to Brick Pole:

“What a victory, what a success. England raised this trophy two years ago without conceding a goal, but it will be just as satisfactory in its own way because they have started the backs to triumph.

“So many impressive performances, illustrated by the fact that six replacements were in the final and three of them combined with a winning goal.

“A reminder that England spent 39 years without winning this tournament. They have now kept it. The quality and depth of young talents are remarkable and in Lee Carsley, they have a coach who gave them the platform to flourish.”

Rowe Winner of the match: I had the mentality to do anything to help

Jonathan Rowe speaks to Channel 4:

“Everyone is exceptional. Since the minute I have entered the camp, I could just say that everyone had the same state of mind; we all wanted to win.

“We have done it now – the work is finally over and we can all celebrate!

“I entered the match with the mentality to do everything I could to help the team. I was not starting, but I knew, at some point, we all on the bench should come, make a difference and help the team push it.

“I am so happy that we managed to do it in front of important people tonight.”

Carsley: The challenge is now to win it again in two years!

The boss of England Lee Carsley speaking to Channel 4:

“I am really proud of the players. The commitment they have shown for 28 days, all the instructions that we have tried to put them so quickly, they took it on board and they have so much belief.

“I talked about it when we were in St George’s Park, that this team believes that they can win and they are the kind of players we need.

“I am so happy for them. Being a European champion for the second time is a great success and the challenge is now to do it again in two years.

“It is important that they have a shandy or two tonight!

“Any setbacks we had, the players have just come together. I said at the start of the tournament, the longer we can stay, the better we play.

“I didn’t think we had played very well tonight. I thought that we probably sat a little too deep and did not have as much control as I would have liked, but I will probably not remember a few days.

“I will try to enjoy tonight. It is important. I love my work, I am very proud of the work I do, I like to work with the players.

“I had a chance with the senior team and I love it, so the best thing I can do is help the path and try to help the senior team.”

Foster: Ideal for English football if Carsley gets PL work

Former England U18, U19, Boss U20 Ian Foster on Sky Sports News:

“Lee can no longer do. It will now be interesting to see what and if the offers arise, and what he wants to do on this subject.

“I am sure that the directors of football from top to bottom of the country will examine Lee’s achievements in recent years and wonder if he is the next man to come.

“I think it would be great for English football if Lee took a job in the Premier League and showed everyone what he was able to do.

“But, for the moment, he will be extremely proud of his achievements and rightly so.”