England beat Germany in five-goal thriller to retain U21 Euro title | OneFootball

England U21s beat Germany 3-2 in the U21 European Championship final at Stadion Tehelne pole on Saturday evening.England got off to a flying start as Harvey Elliott scored inside five minutes. The Liverpool midfielder scored after an initial save from Germany keeper Noah Atubolu.On 18 minutes, the defending champions nearly doubled the lead from a counterattack. Elliott fed James McAtee, who played a pass across goal, but the outstretched Jay Stansfield could not get to the end of it.Six minutes later, England scored their second goal. McAtee passed to Omari Hutchinson, who put the ball between Atubolu’s legs and into the net.The Ipswich Town forward almost scored a brace in the 32nd minute, bending the ball narrowly wide after a fantastic run.McAtee nearly compounded the Germans’ woes before halftime, but Atubolu prevented him from scoring.England were forced into a change late in the first half after midfielder Alex Scott picked up an injury.Nelson Weiper halved the deficit for Germany before halftime, rising highest to head Paul Nebel’s cross home.England started the second half on the front foot and should have netted in the 53rd minute when McAtee brilliantly worked himself into a good scoring position, only to send his effort wide.The Young Lions were made to rue their missed chances as Germany scored the equaliser just after the hour mark, with Nebel powerfully curling the ball into the net.The two teams struggled to create scoring opportunities after Germany’s equaliser, and the game went to extra time.Head coach Lee Carsley made two changes at the start of extra time. Jonathan Rowe and Ethan Nwaneri replaced Elliot and McAtee.Rowe restored England’s lead and winning goal in the 92nd minute, heading the ball home from fellow substitute Tyler Morton’s brilliant cross.England have now successfully defended the title for the second time in their history, having won it back-to-back in 1982 and 1984.