England U21s vs Germany live: Result and reaction from Euros final as Young Lions seal title in extra time
Lee Carsley’s youngsters seal back-to-back titles in thriller against old rivals Germany
England’s Under 21s defended their 2023 European Championship crown as they overcame old rivals Germany in a thriller in Bratislava.
Lee Carsley’s holders came through a tricky semi-final against the Netherlands as Harvey Elliott of Liverpool (at least for now...) struck twice to book their place in this decider, and it was the Young Lions’ vice-captain who scored the opener just five minutes into the showpiece.
Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson doubled England’s lead inside the first half-hour but they were pegged back by a resurgent Germany, who halved the deficit through a bullet header by Nelson Weiper on the stroke of half-time.
Paul Nebel erased England’s lead shortly after the restart with a superb curling strike and neither side could find a winner in normal time, setting up for a tense finale.
But Carsley made some inspired substitutions and it was Jonathan Rowe who wrote his name in the history books with a glancing header - only two minutes after coming on - to seal the title at the start of extra time.
Follow all of the latest from the Euros final with our live blog below:
Lee Carsley wants Under-21s to complete Euros hat-trick after defending title
Lee Carsley has challenged England’s Under-21s to complete a hat-trick of European Championship titles after defending their crown with a 3-2 victory over Germany in Bratislava on Saturday night.
Jonathan Rowe scored the winner in extra time, after Harvey Elliott and Omari Hutchinson had given England a 2-0 first-half lead. Germany were twice denied by the woodwork as England held on.
Afterwards, Carsley praised his players’ achievement and spoke of his desire to go for three in a row. Carsley signed a contract extension through to the 2027 European Under-21 Championship earlier this month.
Lee Carsley wants Under-21s to complete Euros hat-trick after defending title
Harvey Elliott wins Player of the Tournament
The Liverpool man (for now, at least) scored five goals, one off Golden Boot winner Nick Woltermade, and played an outsize role in England’s triumph in Bratislava.
England seal back-to-back Under-21 European Championship titles in thrilling win over Germany
England overcame old rivals Germany in a thrilling final in the Under-21 European Championship, with the Young Lions clinching their title defence through an extra-time winner by substitute Jonathan Rowe.
England had let slip a two-goal lead late in the first half but some inspired substitutions by manager Lee Carsley made the difference as they ultimately won 3-2 in Bratislava.
It brings England's total haul in the competition to four titles, but they were pushed all the way by a German side who came into the final as favourites and had beaten the Young Lions in the group stage.
England seal Under-21 Euros title defence in thriller against Germany
'I didn't think we played great' - Lee Carsley
“Any setback we've 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 didn't think we played great tonight,” Carsley continues. “I thought we probably sat a little bit too deep and didn't have as much control as I would've wanted, but I probably won't remember that in a couple of days.”
Players can have a shandy - Lee Carsley
Asked how the players will celebrate, Carsley says “it's important they have a shandy or two tonight” - but they’ll be flying back to Birmingham in the early hours of Sunday, so the real celebrations will have to wait.
“I'm going to try and enjoy tonight. It's important. I love my job, I'm very proud of the job I do, I love working with the players.
“I've 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.”
'Challenge now is to do it again in two years' - Lee Carsley
“I'm really proud of the players,” a smiling Lee Carsley tells Channel 4. “The commitment they've shown for the last 28 days, all the instruction we've tried to put into them so quickly, they've taken it on board and they've 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's the kind of players we need.
“I'm so happy for them to be European champions for the second time is a great achievement. The challenge now is to do it again in two years.”
No rest for the wicked, eh?
'Everyone is exceptional' - Jonathan Rowe
“Everyone is exceptional,” matchwinner Jonathan Rowe tells Channel 4. “From the minute I came into the camp, I could just tell everyone had the same mindset, we all wanted to win.
“We've done that now - the job's 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 wasn't 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'm so happy we managed to do that in front of some important people tonight.”
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