England U21 vs Germany U21 as it happened: England concede late goal before crashing out on penalties

Relive England's nail-biting Euro 2017 semi-final

Gray scored for England but the young lions eventually crashed out (Getty)

​England Under-21s suffered more penalty semi-final heartbreak against Germany after Nathan Redmond's miss sent them out of Euro 2017.

Julian Pollersbeck saved the Southampton winger's spot kick as Germany won 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time.

It was hard on the Young Lions who battled hard but it is Germany who will face Spain or Italy in Friday's final in Krakow.

What time does it start?

The match kicks off at 6.00pm on Tuesday 27 June.

Where can I watch it?

It will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 from 4.30pm.

Preview

Even though the Germans lost their final game of the group stage to Italy 1-0, the task lying ahead of the Young Lions is of the utmost difficulty. Germany, alongside Spain, are favourites for the tournament; and their young Bundesliga stars, Serge Gnabry, Max Meyer and David Selke, are ready to step up to the plate.

And the fact that Germany’s coach, Stefan Kuntz, claims his team doesn’t have to practise penalties before the clash proves they are confident.

However England have cranked up since the beginning of the Euros, leaving the lukewarm performance against Sweden behind.

Ben Chilwell in action for England U21s (Getty)

Their win against Slovakia, coming from 1-0 down, and their thrashing of Poland in a hectic final game of the group stage have reinforced hope among the fans that the team may follow a similar path to the English Under-20 side, who lifted the trophy at the World Cup in South Korea earlier this month.

The showdown may be a make or break for the Young Lions. Should England walk off the pitch as the winners, they surely will put the marker down and answer his coach’s appeal.

It’s a big game for…

Mawson faces a tremendous test against Germany's frontline (Getty)

Alfie Mawson: Halting the ultra-talented German offensive line will definitely be the x-factor for England to win the semi-final.

Mawson, who has been progressing since the beginning of the tournament and had a successful debut Premier League season with Swanesa, is facing a tremendous challenge and, alongside Callum Chambers, will have to be at his best to stand up to the task.

Best stat

It’s more of a date than a stat, but June 26 has not been successful for English national teams in the past. That’s the day when Frank Lampard had his free-kick goal against; yes, Germany; famously disallowed in the round of 16 of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Also, that’s when Iceland upset England last year during Euro 2016. Hopefully, it’s three times lucky.

Player to watch

Gray scored England's first against Poland (Getty)

Demarai Gray: “Angry and frustrated” due to limited minutes on the pitch in the Premier League last season, Gray seemed rejuvenated against Poland in an electric performance as if wanting to prove doubters wrong.

Using the tournament as a showcase in the light of his unstable situation at Leicester, the young winger could shine again today, and his pace will be very much needed against the solid German defence.

Past three meetings

Germany U21 1 England U21 0
International friendly, March 2017

England U21 3 Germany U21 2
International friendly, March 2015

Germany U21 2 England U21 0
International friendly, November 2010

Form guide

England: WWDWL

Germany: LWWWW

Odds

Provided by 888 Sport

England to win: 13/11

Germany to win: 5/7

[27 June 2017 18:14 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

55 mins: There's some pushing and shoving in the box between Chalobah and Selke which holds up the corner from being taken. It's eventually whipped into the box, and England rather haphazardly clear. 

[27 June 2017 18:23 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

64 mins: Meyer overhits the corner; it flies over the penalty box and goes out for a corner.

Meanwhile Selke has a face like thunder over on the touchline, where he has just been informed he's not going to be able to continue, much to his obvious disappointment. He's replaced by Schalke's Felix Platte.

[27 June 2017 18:34 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

76 mins: Germany are all over England here, and Pickford twice needs to bail his back-line out of trouble with brave close-range stops. He pushes Germany's second shot in quick succession around his post and concedes a corner, but England clear.

It doesn't take long for Germany to crank up the pressure again, though. Gnabry finds some space out wide and charges at Murphy and appears to win a corner, but the ref doesn't spot it. Goal kick. England need to clear their lines. 

[27 June 2017 18:35 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

77 mins: In all that excitement I missed an England sub. Redmond replaces Gray. Something needs to be done; England are all over the shop.

[27 June 2017 18:35 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

[27 June 2017 18:41 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

81 mins: England have the ball!!!

Not for long, mind. Redmond runs into trouble and here come Germany once again, with Arnold pulling the strings. He immediately pings a pass out to Toljan on the flank, who cuts inside and passes to Gnabry.

The winger takes a crack from all of 30-yards, but screws his shot wide. 

[27 June 2017 18:48 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

89 mins: Arnold attempts to pick out Toljan in some space down the right but overhits it, and the fullback can't keep the ball in play. A chance for England to clear their lines.

[27 June 2017 18:49 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

90 mins: There's going to be five minutes (!!!) of additional time. 

[27 June 2017 18:50 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

92 mins: A chance from Germany in stoppage time! They win a corner and Philipp is unmarked at the back stick, but he heads over.

Germany make another change. Amiri replaces Gnabry. 

[27 June 2017 19:02 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

And we're away for the first-half of extra-time.