England produce vintage ‘Carseball’ to defeat Germany in thrilling U21 Euros final

England’s captain James McAtee lifts the trophy after the extra-time victory - Reuters/Radovan Stoklasa

England 3 Germany 2 (AET)

England were crowned back-to-back Under-21 European champions for just the second time as Lee Carsley matched Dave Sexton’s achievement as the only Young Lions manager to retain the title.

Carsley’s side required extra time to get over the line against Germany in a dramatic clash in Bratislava, which had Carsley marching up and down the touchline and unable to watch at times.

Thomas Tuchel, the senior team’s manager, had left the Club World Cup in the United States to attend the game – his first time watching Carsley’s side live since succeeding Gareth Southgate at the start of the year.

Tuchel saw them make a dream start. Harvey Elliott, one of only two men remaining in the squad from the title win in Georgia two years ago, reasserted his swagger in Bratislava, three days on from scoring a brace against the Netherlands.

Elliott received possession on the edge of the penalty area after a scramble in the box and with the goal gaping, he intelligently took a touch before slotting into the bottom corner. Elliott, a veteran at this level, took his under-21 goal tally to 14, overtaking Alan Shearer and Francis Jeffers to go second in the all-time rankings.

England were in their element and “Carsball” was flowing. They were soaking up the German pressure and then hitting their old foes on the break. Omari Hutchinson and Elliott were finding space on the wings and cutting through the German back line easily.

Harvey Elliott gave England the ideal start and was named player of the tournament after the match - Reuters/Radovan Stoklasa

Scintillating counter-attacking football should have doubled the lead in the 18th minute. Elliott was once again released on the right and carried the ball before unselfishly finding captain James McAtee. The Manchester City attacker picked up the ball on the edge of the box and dribbled into the area with Jay Stansfield alongside him. He cut it back for the Birmingham City striker, who failed to reach the ball to tap into an empty net. He should have done better.

However, England did not have to wait much longer to find their second, and Stansfield redeemed himself with wonderful hold-up play after he received Charlie Cresswell’s stunning long ball. Stansfield found Elliott, who dinked a wonderful pass over the top to McAtee. McAtee held off the German threat of Nnamdi Collins and Bright Arrey-Mbi to play Hutchinson through. His low, driven finish took England a step closer to glory.

Omari Hutchinson celebrates his goal in acrobatic style - AP/Petr David Josek

Germany refused to go down without a fight. Carsley had hoped for a calm end to the half, but his side had other ideas, reacting sluggishly to a recycled German corner. Nelson Weiper was quickest to Paul Nebel’s cross from the left, rising unchallenged to nod Germany back into the tie with a free header.

England were rattled and had failed to settle after the break. Germany were in the ascendancy, exploiting an increasingly uneasy defence. It had clicked. They were winning the second balls, providing a threat in behind and using their physicality to dominate England. Carsley’s side needed to find a way to weather the storm.

Nelson Weiper reduces the deficit for Germany with a thumping header - Getty Images/Tullio Puglia

In an attempt to claw a way back into the physical battle, Carsley introduced Brooke Norton-Cuffy, who should have wrapped up the title in the 82nd minute when the ball fell nicely for him in the penalty area, but his scuffed effort failed to test Noah Atubaolu. Another squandered opportunity.

Despite England’s improvement, Germany went closest to wrapping the final up in normal time. Antonio Di Salvo’s side had progressed to the edge of the penalty area. England had put their bodies on the line, but it was very desperate at the back. After missed tackles and lunges, the ball eventually fell to Nebel on the edge of the box. His deflected effort looked like it would break English hearts as it carried towards goal. The intervention from the crossbar in the final seconds of the game was a welcome reprieve. Extra time was required.

Carsley belted out instructions to his team during the five-minute break. It offered England welcome time to regroup and recover after Germany’s second-half offensive. If there were any positives to take from the Germans’ late attacks, it was the wake-up call it issued England. Less than two minutes after the turnaround, substitutes Tyler Morton and Jonathan Rowe combined to put England on the verge. Morton used his initiative and whipped a cross from the right into the penalty area. Rowe was free and went low to just about squeeze his header in. England earned something to hold on to.

Jonathan Rowe celebrates scoring the winner with a stooping header - Reuters/David W Cerny

England battled to half-time in stoppage time. Carsley called the group into the huddle and issued his rallying cry: “Lads, this is the time to dig deep. This is our time now.” His pep talk worked like a charm.

Rowe may have been the hero, but every player put their body on their line as Germany attempted to find a way to break England’s resolve in the second half of extra time. Germany almost forced penalties when Jack Hinshelwood’s poor clearance fell to Merlin Röhl on the edge of the box but the crossbar saved England again.

Facing constant pressure, England just about hung in there, with goalkeeper James Beadle claiming the ball in the final seconds. Carsley was the most relieved man in the venue, his stress giving way to euphoria.

10:56 PM BST

Proud

10:55 PM BST

Man of the match

10:55 PM BST

Lee Carsley speaking to Channel 4

“I am really proud of the players. The commitment they have shown for the last 28 days, all the instruction we have tried to put into them so quickly, they have taken it on board and they have got so much belief. I spoke about it when we were at St George’s Park, that this squad believe they can win and that is the kind of players we need.

“I am so happy for them to be European champions for the second time is a great achievement and the challenge now is to do it again in two years. It is important they have a shandy or two tonight.

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

“I did not think we played great tonight. I thought we probably sat a little bit too deep and did not have as much control as I would have wanted, but I probably will not remember that in a couple of days. I am going to try and enjoy tonight. It is important. I love my job, I am very proud of the job I do, I love working with the players.

“I have had a chance with the senior team and I love that, so the best thing I can do is help the pathway and try and help the senior team.”

10:51 PM BST

Trophy time

Lee Carsley leads his Young Lions up onto the stage and England are about to get their hands on that trophy, like they did two years ago. The last man up is captain James McAtee, who is handed the trophy and makes his way over to his teammates. He lifts it above his head and England are champions.

As the England team head up to receive their medals after defending the Under-21 European Championships, the families just next to us in the press box are chanting “England again ole ole”. Now for McAtee to lift the trophy!

Glory for England - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

10:48 PM BST

Player of the tournament is...

Harvey Elliott, after five goals in the tournament including England’s first tonight.

A terrific tournament from Harvey Elliott - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

10:48 PM BST

Runners-up

England form a guard of honour for Germany, who reluctantly trudge up to pick up their runners-up medals.

10:45 PM BST

FT stats

Possession: England 43%-57% Germany

Shots: 14-16

Shots on target: 6-4

Corners: 3-5

Touches in opposition box: 30-42

10:44 PM BST

England’s player of the tournament celebrates

Harvey Elliott scored five goals for England during the tournament - Christian Bruna/Getty Images

10:43 PM BST

The thoughts of Jonathan Rowe

“Everyone is exceptional. From the minute I came into the camp, I could just tell everyone had the same mindset; we all wanted to win. We have done that now - the job is finally finished and we can all celebrate!

“I came into the game with the mindset of doing anything I could to help the team. I was not starting, but I knew, at some point, all of us on the bench would have to come on, make a difference and help the team to push it over the line. I am so happy we managed to do that in front of some important people tonight.”

10:42 PM BST

Joy for Carsley

Lee Carsley leads the Under-21s to back-to-back titles - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

10:41 PM BST

Mixed feelings for Tuchel?

The England senior manager may have mixed emotions right now. His homeland has lost but he will be happy to see the young players who are the future and could be part of his future senior squads winning the U21 Euros.

10:36 PM BST

Back-to-back European champions

10:34 PM BST

England win the 2025 Under-21 European Championships

It is panic stations inside the England penalty area but Beadle dives on the loose ball after a shot was blocked. That was nervy but breathe.

Lee Carsley’s Young Lions have done it and sealed back-to-back titles. They won it two years ago in 2023 and have done it in 2025. Plenty of emotion from Carsley and his players. The top two scorers in the tournament, Woltemade and Elliott, share an embrace and a joke.

10:32 PM BST

120 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Two minutes of added time. Germany hit the bar! They hit that woodwork right at the end of normal time. Rohl’s strike from the edge of the box is crisp but smacks the bar. England are very much holding on.

10:31 PM BST

119 mins: England 3 Germany 2

England are holding on as Germany keep up the pressure. The ball goes out of play and England have a throw-in. More importanly England can take their time.

10:29 PM BST

118 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Germany have a corner as the last touch comes off Quansah. Reitz sends in an outswinger but Livramento heads away at the front post. Reitz keeps it alive but drags his shot wide. Just two minutes remaining.

10:28 PM BST

117 mins: England 3 Germany 2

England cannot get out.

10:28 PM BST

116 mins: England 3 Germany 2

England are dealing with the crosses well but they need to keep their focus as only more and more are going to follow. The tension is building.

10:26 PM BST

115 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Beadle’s time wasting is penalised as he receives a booking. If England win he will not care one bit about that. Five minutes remaining.

10:25 PM BST

113 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Morton wins England a corner and they can continue to run more time down. The German fans are making sure the referee is aware of any time wasting but England will be happy to see it down at this end.

10:24 PM BST

112 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Iling-Junior is into the book for a late challenge on Collins and a yellow card was justified.

10:23 PM BST

111 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Knauff sends in a dangerous ball from the right that was awkward for the England defenders to deal with at the back post but they do enough. You feel England will have to cope with a number more crosses into their box between now and the end of extra time.

10:20 PM BST

109 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Germany are sending in some crosses into the England box but for the time being the likes of Quansah and Cresswell are dealing with them well. Woltemade was Germany’s biggest threat tonight but England have dealt with him well as Woltemade is penalised for a foul inside the England penalty area. Safe to say Woltemade did not agree with that decision.

10:19 PM BST

107 mins: England 3 Germany 2

For England these minutes will be ticking by very slowly whilst it will feel the complete opposite for Germany.

10:16 PM BST

Second period of extra time

We get back going again. Can England hold on or will Germany fight back again? Germany have made a change as Wanner has come on for Oermann.

10:14 PM BST

HT in extra time

That is it for the first period and England are 15 minutes away from back-to-back titles.

10:13 PM BST

105 mins: England 3 Germany 2

One added minute at the end of the first period of extra time. Reitz has some space on the left-hand side of the England box and tries to curl one into the far corner but his effort misses the target by a distance.

10:12 PM BST

104 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Germany have a late corner in the first period of extra time but England head away. Good defending.

10:11 PM BST

103 mins: England 3 Germany 2

The England changes have made a difference, not only in Rowe getting on the scoresheet but also in terms of fresh legs and impetus. Understandably England were tiring at the end of the 90 so getting fresh players on has been welcomed.

10:09 PM BST

102 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Germany have already come from 2-0 down in this game to take us to extra time so they will back themselves but England have been solid since retaking the lead. Composure and calm heads are needed now.

10:06 PM BST

98 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Changes for both sides. Martel is replaced by Tresoldi for Germany. England are making a double change as Iling-Junior and Egan-Riley replace Hutchinson and Anderson.

10:05 PM BST

97 mins: England 3 Germany 2

Nebel has been good for Germany tonight and sends in another dangerous delivery, which Hinshelwood deals with brilliantly at the back post under pressure.

09:59 PM BST

GOAL! Rowe restores England’s lead

Lee Carsley’s changes pay dividends immediately. Rowe has been on the pitch 90 seconds and restores England’s advantage. Morton whips in a delightful cross from the right and picks out Rowe, who stoops down well and heads into the far corner. Fantastic cross and a fantastic finish.

Magic from the bench. Carsley masterstroke. Substitute Tyler Morton uses his initiative and pings a cross from the right into the penalty area. Jonathan Rowe is free and goes low to just about squeeze his header in. England are on their way… but can they keep the incoming German offensive at bay?

England back ahead at the start of extra time - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

09:58 PM BST

Start of extra time

We get going in the 30 minutes of extra time. How will these sides approach this? England have made a double change as Elliott and McAtee are replaced by Rowe and Nwaneri. Elliott and McAtee looked spent having put in so much effort during the 90. That is a big call from Lee Carsley to take off arguably England’s best two players, even if there were tired.

Interesting roll of the dice from Carsley. Nwaneri and Rowe replace McAtee and Elliott. England require a goal and their most prolific player has left the pitch. Nwaneri and Rowe offer pace. Could that be the key to securing back-to-back titles?

09:53 PM BST

End of normal time

The whistle goes and we are going to extra time. Germany came inches away from winning it at the death but this game is not done yet.

09:51 PM BST

90+3 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Germany hit the bar! It is a scramble inside the England penalty area as the England defenders dive desperately to make blocks and Germany get the shot away but it ricochets back off the bar. Nebel’s shot takes a deflection off Norton-Cuffy and comes back off the woodwork.

09:50 PM BST

90+2 mins: England 2 Germany 2

I think we are heading for extra time.

09:48 PM BST

90 mins: England 2 Germany 2

There will be four added minutes. I thought it might be more. Are we heading to extra time or will there be a moment of magic? I suspect the former.

09:46 PM BST

88 mins: England 2 Germany 2

After Hutchinson loses the ball inside his own half, Nebel drives forward and tries to pick out Woltemade but Morton steps in with a crucial interception to cut it out.

09:44 PM BST

85 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Brown is down for Germany and this is going to be the end of his night. Ullrich is coming on for him.

09:42 PM BST

84 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Nebel has a goal and assist to his name tonight and he fancied getting a second goal. He shoots from range but his effort goes wide of the right post. Beadle looked like he had it covered anyway.

09:41 PM BST

83 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Morton strikes from the right-hand side of the box but the effort is always rising and goes just over the bar. He struck it well but could not keep it down enough.

09:40 PM BST

81 mins: England 2 Germany 2

That could have been the moment. Hutchinson cuts the ball across from the left-hand side of the box and it comes to Norton-Cuffy 12 yards out. He should really score but his effort is tame and straight at Atubolu. Either side of him and that would have been a goal.

09:38 PM BST

80 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Germany are making their second change as Rohl replaces their first goalscorer Weiper.

Into the final 10 minutes we go.

This is tense. Both teams are desperate not to make a mistake. England have started to grow back into the game over the last five minutes, but Germany continue to pose a worrying threat. Omari Hutchinson is starting to find space again on the left – one to watch.

09:37 PM BST

79 mins: England 2 Germany 2

The ball comes to German captain Martel on the edge of the box but England do well to close him down and block the effort.

09:36 PM BST

78 mins: England 2 Germany 2

We are more than 75 minutes into the game and we have seen just three changes across both teams, with one of those injury-enforced for England. It is a surprise not to have seen more changes by this point.

09:34 PM BST

75 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Hutchinson fires a ball across from the byline into the centre of the box but Arrey-Mbi is on hand to clear.

09:32 PM BST

73 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Germany are going to make their first change of the night as Knauff replaces Gruda. Knauff scored an early goal for Germany in their 2-1 win over England in the group stages.

Beadle has gone down for England. I am not sure he is really injured. Games being played? No change in goal for England required, unsurprisingly.

09:29 PM BST

71 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Livramento this time drives into the German box and he perhaps could have gone down over an outstretched German leg. Elliott then gets on the ball and keeps it in play. He lifts the ball towards the back post but no-one is there to take advantage.

09:28 PM BST

70 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Anderson dribbles well into the German box and then goes down. The appeals are waved away but Anderson stays down for a while.

09:27 PM BST

68 mins: England 2 Germany 2

McAtee cuts onto his preferred left foot on the edge of the box and decides to try and curl one into the far corner. He nearly picks out the top corner but it goes just over the bar. Not far away.

09:25 PM BST

66 mins: England 2 Germany 2

England need to calm down and settle. Germany have the momentum right now but that can switch quickly if England click back into gear like they did in the first half.

09:22 PM BST

64 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Woltemade is brought down as he drove through the England half and England are under the cosh here. The free-kick comes to nothing but England need to settle here or else they could find themselves behind.

09:20 PM BST

62 mins: England 2 Germany 2

Lee Carsley has responded with a change up top as Norton-Cuffy replaces Stansfield.

09:19 PM BST

GOAL! Nebel pulls Germany level

Germany are on level terms and that is a sublime finish. The ball comes all the way beyond the far post and ends up at the feet of Nebel. He cuts inside and curls one towards the top far corner. Beadle gets a hand to it but cannot prevent the ball from ending up in the top corner. It appeared to take a small deflection off Stansfield just after Nebel got the shot away and that gave it a bit more lift.

Oh dear. It’s game on. This German team do not know when they are out. What a finish. The entire bench, led by Antonio Di Salvo, burst onto the pitch as the ball hit the back of the net. England have it all to do now.

Back on level terms - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

09:18 PM BST

60 mins: England 2 Germany 1

Collins fires in a cross along the ground from the right-hand side of the box but it is brilliant defending from Anderson as he intercepts the cross and puts it behind for a corner...

09:16 PM BST

57 mins: England 2 Germany 1

England have a gift of a corner as Germany put it behind under no real pressure. Can England take advantage of this massive gift? Morton sends in an inswinger to the far post, looking for Cresswell or McAtee but England cannot take advantage.

Germany then counter and England are in trouble. Nebel tries to pick out Woltemade with a cross but Beadle punches it away and eventually England clear their lines under pressure inside their own box.

09:13 PM BST

55 mins: England 2 Germany 1

Martel goes down half-heartedly inside the England box after a challenge by Anderson but that is never a penalty and I think Martel knew that. It has been feisty between Martel and Anderson in the centre of midfield tonight.

09:11 PM BST

52 mins: England 2 Germany 1

That would have been a fantastic goal from McAtee. It was a solo effort all the way from the halfway line after a sublime dummy and turn and he keeps driving and driving all the way into the Germany box. He gets his shot away and it looks like it will nestle into the bottom corner but it goes just wide.

09:10 PM BST

51 mins: England 2 Germany 1

Gruda brings down Anderson cynically and is lucky to escape without a yellow card.

09:09 PM BST

50 mins: England 2 Germany 1

Nebel sends in an inswinging cross from the left and Beadle is panicking for a moment, thinking it was set to go into the far corner but he is relieved to see it go wide as he flapped at it a little.

09:08 PM BST

49 mins: England 2 Germany 1

After conceding a goal right at the end of the first half, England just need to settle down and remind themselves that they were very good in that first half, much the better side and really England’s lead could and should be greater.

Weiper, who got that goal back for Germany, has a shot from the edge of the box that takes a deflection and safely falls into the hands of Beadle.

09:03 PM BST

Second half

We are back under way. England lead but that German goal late in the first half will have changed things. Lee Carsley’s men are just 45 minutes away from glory.

08:58 PM BST

What will Tuchel have thought of that first half?

Deep down, will German Thomas Tuchel be supporting his home country or the nation he manages? - Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

08:54 PM BST

Elliott’s fantastic tournament

08:51 PM BST

HT stats

Possession: England 44%-56% Germany

Shots: 7-5

Shots on target: 4-2

Corners: 1-2

Touches in opposition box: 15-15

08:48 PM BST

Half time

That is it from an exciting first half and England lead 2-1 at the break. England could have had more than two but that late Germany goal will give them hope going into the second half.

08:46 PM BST

GOAL! Weiper gets one back for Germany

Germany needed that on the stroke of half time but England will be gutted they did not get into the break with their two-goal lead intact. Nebel does well down Germany’s left and sends in a good cross into the centre of the box. Weiper meets the cross and fires a bullet header towards goal, which Beadle cannot stop.

Germany back in the game - Petr David Josek/AP

08:46 PM BST

45 mins: England 2 Germany 0

There will be three added minutes at the end of this first half.

08:44 PM BST

43 mins: England 2 Germany 0

Scott is continuing for now but he is booked for hacking down Woltemade. Fairly obvious yellow from Scott, who then goes down and is going to come off now. That was his final act and perhaps he knew that. Not a great challenge. Liverpool’s Tyler Morton, who was fantastic for England in the quarter-finals against Spain but suspended for the semi-final against the Netherlands, replaces him.

Alex Scott’s night is over - Petr David Josek/AP

08:41 PM BST

41 mins: England 2 Germany 0

England nearly 3-0 up moments after they could have conceded. They nearly lose the ball deep in their own half but Beadle does just enough to keep possession and England move up the pitch. They end up in Germany’s box and Hutchinson cuts the ball across to McAtee, who takes the shot on first time and his effort is saved by Atubolu.

Play is halted as Scott is struggling again. Tyler Morton looks like he is ready to come on but Scott says he is fine to keep going. I am not sure how much longer he will last. The corner comes to nothing.

08:39 PM BST

39 mins: England 2 Germany 0

Play had been halted after that foul as Scott was receiving some treatment but he is now back on his feet. The players took that opportunity to get some fluid down them.

08:37 PM BST

37 mins: England 2 Germany 0

Martel fouls Scott and the referee this time is left in no doubt but to book him. The German captain can have no complaints.

Obvious yellow card - Petr David Josek/AP

08:35 PM BST

34 mins: England 2 Germany 0

That would have been a fantastic team goal but the offside flag was up anyway. It starts with a deft flick from Anderson, who has been very good so far tonight, which allows Livramento to stride forward. He plays the ball across to Hutchinson and the ball ends up at the feet of Stansfield inside the German box after a series of clever touches. His shot is deflected wide but Hutchinson was offside in the build-up from Livramento’s ball across.

08:33 PM BST

32 mins: England 2 Germany 0

England attack from deep and work it well down their left. Hutchinson drives into the box and cuts onto his right foot. He then gets his shot away and it clearly takes a deflection off Collins but the referee gives a goal-kick. Strange decision.

08:30 PM BST

29 mins: England 2 Germany 0

Woltemade, who has been kept quiet by England so far tonight, wins his side a corner out on the right, which Reitz will take. He sends in an outswinger which Weiper flicks on at the front post but it goes wide of the far post. Should Weiper have done better with that chance?

08:24 PM BST

GOAL! Hutchinson doubles England’s lead

England are in dreamland! Elliott lifts a terrific ball over the top and McAtee is on the end of it. He is held up on the edge of the German box by a couple of defenders but he manages to get the ball back. He knows he has Hutchinson in space to his left and he finds him. The Ipswich man watches the ball come across his body and fires a first-time effort past Atubolu. England 2-0 up against a German side who have not lost at this level in pretty much two years.

Perfect start to the final for England - Petr David Josek/AP

08:24 PM BST

24 mins: England 1 Germany 0

Collins picks out his captain Martel on the edge of the box but the captain’s first-time effort is pretty woeful, flying high over the bar.

08:23 PM BST

22 mins: England 1 Germany 0

Hinshelwood fouls his Brighton teammate Grude and Germany will have the chance to send the free-kick into the England box. Reitz sends in a great delivery and picks out Woltemade, who probably should bury the chance but heads well wide. The offside flag goes up anyway and replays show he was clearly offside as the free-kick was sent in.

08:20 PM BST

19 mins: England 1 Germany 0

Will England regret that? They should be 2-0 up. They counter from their own box through Elliott and the Liverpool man drives further and further forward. He eventually lays the ball out to his left to find McAtee, who unselfishly tries to pick out Stansfield at the back post. It looks like it is going to be a tap-in for the Birmingham forward but he cannot get on the end of it. Was he too worried about crashing into the post?

Jay Stansfield comes so close to making it 2-0 to England - Petr David Josek/AP

08:17 PM BST

16 mins: England 1 Germany 0

Anderson is fouled late by Germany captain Martel and is fortunate not to be even booked. Not a red card but it looked a good shout to be a booking.

Should this have been a booking? - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

08:15 PM BST

14 mins: England 1 Germany 0

Gruda fouls Anderson inside the German half with a late challenge and this gives England a decent opportunity to send the delivery into the German box. Gruda seemed to be complaining about the decision but looking at the replay I am not sure why. Elliott sends it in and Cresswell wins the initial header but Germany clear.

England keep it alive through Anderson on the edge of the box and the ball falls at the feet of McAtee on the left-hand side of the box. He drills his shot across the face of the goal but it goes narrowly wide of the far post. England close to doubling their lead there.

Close but no cigar - Tomas Benedikovic/Getty Images

08:12 PM BST

11 mins: England 1 Germany 0

When these sides met in the group stages, Germany took a very early lead in the third minute and went on to win 2-1. Can England repeat Germany’s feat this time around having taken the lead early?

08:05 PM BST

GOAL! Elliott fires England into the lead

Five goals in the tournament for the Liverpool man and England have an early lead courtesy of that man yet again; Harvey Elliott. Hutchinson probably should have given England the lead seconds before but was well denied by Atubolu in the German goal. Germany fail to clear though and the ball only goes as far as Elliott on the edge of the box. He takes a touch before calmly slotting into the bottom corner. A clinical finish and he wheels away in joy. He is now just one goal behind Woltemade and England strike early.

Harvey Elliott is at it again. And I tell you what, he does not shy away from a celebration. After punishing German sloppiness, he sprinted with his arms outstretched right past the German bench.

He loves this stadium. Two goals against the Netherlands in the semi-final and now the opener tonight. Almost immediately after the goal, he won the ball back on the right wing, which was met with another passionate outburst of emotion. What a start.

Yet another big moment in this tournament from Harvey Elliott - Boris Streubel/Getty Images

08:03 PM BST

2 mins: England 0 Germany 0

Germany captain Martel sends in a cross from the right, trying to pick out his big centre-forward Woltemade, but it is a simple catch for Beadle.

08:00 PM BST

Kick-off

We are under way in the final. Will it be Germany or England celebrating in a few hours? Perhaps not a great omen for England is we have the same referee, Sander van der Eijk, as the game between these sides in the group stages.

07:55 PM BST

Anthem time

Both sides make their way out onto the pitch and it is time for the national anthems. “Deutschlandlied” followed by “God Save The King”. Having heard the German national anthem many a time down the years in Formula 1 when the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg or the Mercedes team won a race, it is not the best out there in my opinion. Not up there with anthems like South Africa, France or Italy.

07:52 PM BST

Reminder of the teams

England: Beadle, Livramento, Cresswell, Quansah, Hinshelwood, Elliott, Scott, Anderson, Hutchinson, McAtee, Stansfield.

Substitutes: Simkin, Sharman-Lowe, Edwards, Hackney, Fellows, Rowe, Norton-Cuffy, Gray, Egan-Riley, Iling-Junior, Nwaneri, Morton.

Germany: Atubolu, Collins, Oermann, Arrey-Mbi, Brown, Gruda, Martel, Reitz, Nebel, Weiper, Woltemade.

Substitutes: Noll, Ernst, Baum, Siebert, Thielmann, Ullrich, Rosenfelder, Knauff, Jander, Rohl, Wanner, Tresoldi.

07:49 PM BST

Tuchel has made it!

England senior boss Thomas Tuchel has arrived at the National Football Stadium here in Slovakia to support the Young Lions as they look to defend their European title against his native Germany.

The 51-year-old returned to Europe today from the Club World Cup in the United States, flying to Bratislava via London. It will be the first time he has observed an Under-21s game in the flesh since he replaced Gareth Southgate at the start of the year.

Sitting in the executive seating overlooking the pitch, Tuchel is joined by assistant Anthony Barry, Chief Football Officer Dan Ashworth and Deputy Chief Executive Mark Burrows.

Thomas Tuchel has swapped the USA for Slovakia - Petr David Josek/AP

07:44 PM BST

Hands-on approach from Carsley

If England were to win tonight, Lee Carsley would have led the side to back-to-back U21 European Championship titles - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

07:42 PM BST

Connection between the Lionesses and the Young Lions

07:39 PM BST

Gearing up

Nick Woltemade is arguably Germany’s biggest threat - David W Cerny/Reuters

Can England avenge their defeat to Germany from earlier in the tournament? - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

07:33 PM BST

England’s leading scorer at the tournament

Harvey Elliott has four goals to his name in this tournament, two behind Germany’s Nick Woltemade, who starts on the opposite side tonight.

Harvey Elliott has been superb for England during this tournament - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

07:25 PM BST

Two managers conversing

Lee Carsley is looking to make it back-to-back titles this evening but they will have to beat a side that have beaten them earlier in the tournament. England’s senior manager Thomas Tuchel is flying in for the game. If Tuchel leaves England after the World Cup next year, could Carsley, who was temporarily in charge last year, take over permanently?

Who will come out on top tonight; England or Germany? - Boris Streubel/Getty Images

07:19 PM BST

Taking in their surroundings

07:15 PM BST

Back in 2023

England lifted this trophy in Georgia two years ago after beating Spain 1-0 thanks to Curtis Jones’ goal. Here is the England starting XI from that day:

Trafford, Garner, Harwood-Bellis, Colwill, Aarons, Palmer, Gomes, Jones, Smith-Rowe, Gibbs-White, Gordon.

The likes of Harvey Elliott, Noni Madueke and Jarrad Branthwaite were on the bench.

07:06 PM BST

Full team news

Lee Carsley has named an unchanged starting XI from their 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands on Wednesday.

England: Beadle, Livramento, Cresswell, Quansah, Hinshelwood, Elliott, Scott, Anderson, Hutchinson, McAtee, Stansfield.

Substitutes: Simkin, Sharman-Lowe, Edwards, Hackney, Fellows, Rowe, Norton-Cuffy, Gray, Egan-Riley, Iling-Junior, Nwaneri, Morton.

Germany make two changes from their semi-final victory against France. Tim Oermann comes into the defence to replace Max Rosenfelder, while Brajan Gruda comes in for Ansgar Knauff.

Germany: Atubolu, Collins, Oermann, Arrey-Mbi, Brown, Gruda, Martel, Reitz, Nebel, Weiper, Woltemade.

Substitutes: Noll, Ernst, Baum, Siebert, Thielmann, Ullrich, Rosenfelder, Knauff, Jander, Rohl, Wanner, Tresoldi.

07:03 PM BST

What they are playing for

England held this trophy aloft in 2023, can they do so again tonight? - Branislav Racko/Getty Images

07:00 PM BST

Numbers from the tournament

06:56 PM BST

Germany team news

06:56 PM BST

Top scorers in the tournament

Nick Woltemate (Germany)- 6 goals

Harvey Elliott (England)- 4 goals

Djaoui Cisse (France)- 3 goals

Geovany Quenda (Portugal)- 3 goals

William Osula (Denmark)- 3 goals

Nelson Weiper (Germany)- 3 goals

06:54 PM BST

Carsley getting things ready for his players

Lee Carsley is often putting out the cones for the warm-ups - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

Will England win back-to-back titles this evening? - Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

06:49 PM BST

England team news

06:47 PM BST

Germany’s route to the final

Group stage results: (1st in Group B) 

3-0 win vs Slovenia

4-2 win vs Czechia

2-1 win vs England

Quarter-finals: 

3-2 win aet vs Italy

Semi-finals:

3-0 win vs France

06:44 PM BST

England’s route to the final

Group stages: (2nd in Group B)

3-1 win vs Czechia

0-0 draw vs Slovenia

2-1 loss vs Germany

Quarter-finals: 

3-1 win vs Spain

Semi-finals: 

2-1 win vs Netherlands

06:33 PM BST

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06:32 PM BST

Lee Carsley has full confidence in his England team

Lee Carsley is confident England Under-21s have the quality, experience and self belief to beat Germany in tonight’s Euros final and retain their continental crown.

Two years on from winning the competition for the first time since 1984, England are preparing for another final having narrowly avoided a shock group-stage exit.

Slovenia’s defeat of the Czech Republic meant England edged through as Group B runners-up despite losing 2-1 to much-changed Germany, who they will face again in this evening’s Bratislava showpiece.

Carsley’s side have kicked on since then, with a 3-1 quarter-final win against favorites Spain followed by Wednesday’s impressive 2-1 semi-final triumph against the Netherlands.

“One more step, which is the biggest step,” the Under-21s boss told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“But we’ve got that experience, we’ve done it before, so hopefully we can play with a lot of respect for opponents but try and impose our gameplan on them.

“We all set out with one objective, and that was to try and win it again.

“It’s obviously easier said than done, but I wanted the lads to have the confidence and belief that we could do that.

“We tried to leave all of the hope at St George’s (Park) and come out here with belief and I think that the players have got a great spirit about them.

“I think they really are together, they’re committed to what they’re trying to do and I’m very lucky as a coach, along with the rest of the staff, to work with these players.”

England overcame tough opposition and stifling heat in Slovakia to reach a second successive Euro Under-21s final.

Harvey Elliott smashed them ahead and, having been rocked by Noah Ohio levelling from distance, the Liverpool midfielder slalomed through to spectacularly seal a 2-1 semi-final triumph.

Full team news on the way shortly.

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