Extra-time hero scores less than 90 seconds after coming off the bench in thrilling win
Jonathan Rowe scored a stunning winner off the bench as England U21s won the European Championship for the second time in a row with a 3-2 extra-time victory over a strong Germany side, who had fought back from 2-0 down.
Rowe was introduced at the beginning of extra time and took less than 90 seconds to make the game's telling contribution with a perfectly-placed stooping header from Tyler Morton's whipped delivery from the right. Lee Carsley has now won two successive Euros tournaments in charge of the Three Lions of the future following success in 2023, and his introduction of Rowe proved inspired.
England had taken the lead in the fifth minute through Harvey Elliott, before Omari Hutchinson deservedly doubled the advantage. But Germany came back fighting to level the score at 2-2, and may even have won it in the dying embers of normal time.
The Young Lions begun the biggest match of most of their international careers so far at a sprint, taking an early lead after just five minutes. Who else but semi-final hero Elliott, who finished with the composure of a young man playing on the top of his game after Hutchinson's initial shot had been well saved. When the loose ball fell to Elliott off a German foot, there would only be one conclusion.
England ran riot throughout the first half, James McAtee the chief creator as Lee Carsley's side looked to take the game away from the Germans. Germany beat England in the group stages of this tournament, but it was the Three Lions who dominated the first half. McAtee twice flashed the ball across the face of goal to no avail, but would create the game's second goal in the 24th minute. With Jay Stansfield and Elliott involved in the build-up, McAtee slipped in Hutchinson, who fired through the legs of Noah Atubolu.
England looked like the only side in the game until momentum shifted in a moment in first-half stoppage time. Nelson Weiper rose highest to head home his fourth goal of the tournament and the Germans came out for the second half a different team. Elliot Anderson and substitute Tyler Morton made key defensive contributions to prevent an equalising goal, but the resistance was broken when Paul Nebel found the top corner from just inside the box on 61 minutes.
The final half-hour of normal time became increasingly tense, as both sides knew glory was at their fingertips but did not want to make the mistake which would throw it all away. Germany came inches from winning the game in stoppage time. Charlie Cresswell made a game-saving tackle in the box, before the ball fell to Nebel – whose deflected strike rebounded off the crossbar. The final, therefore, went to extra time.
Rowe made the crucial difference and England threw their bodies on the line to a man. Merlin Rohl hit the bar for a second time in the final moments, but England had done it. European champions once again.
GOAL rates England U21's players from Tehelne Pole Stadium…
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James Beadle (6/10):
Got a hand to both Germany goals but had little chance with either of them. The 20-year-old had few other saves to make but looked a commanding presence in goal.
Tino Livramento (7/10):
Got up and down the pitch tirelessly and barely put a foot wrong from right-back.
Charlie Cresswell (8/10):
Faced with the difficult task of dealing with Woltemade, he rose to the occasion and limited him to few opportunities before making a crucial tackle in second-half stoppage time. Played a role in Hutchinson's goal with a lofted ball up to Stansfield, and celebrated like he had scored after a final 122nd-minute block.
Jarell Quansah (7/10):
The future Bayer Leverkusen man drove forward from defence with purpose, while remaining as solid as ever defensively.
Jack Hinshelwood (6/10):
Classy and intelligent on the ball. Primarily a right-footed midfielder by trade, his ability to put in a shift at left-back in a final underlines his quality.
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Harvey Elliott (7/10):
Arguably England's outstanding player of the tournament, Elliott got the Three Lions on their way with a typically assured finish, his fifth of the tournament. Has shown throughout just why he is a target of several Premier League clubs this summer. Tired towards the end of the 90 and was taken off ahead of extra time.
Elliot Anderson (8/10):
Drove through midfield at will, while doing the dirty work to keep Germany out at the other end. An all-action performance in a big game.
Alex Scott (6/10):
Composed on the ball in a strong first-half showing, unfortunately saw his evening over in the 44th minute after Eric Martel's challenge. The Bournemouth man cut a frustrated figure after he was unable to run off the injury, and took out Woltenmade to earn a booking before making his exit.
Omari Hutchinson (8/10):
Looked electric down the left from the first minute. Deservedly got his goal and created endless opportunities, particularly in the first half.
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James McAtee (8/10):
The captain was outstanding, creating chances at will from just behind Stansfield while making sure to do his defensive work for the team.
Jay Stansfield (5/10):
Played a role in the second goal, but was quiet otherwise. Couldn't do enough to sniff out a couple of good opportunities around the six yard box, while his unfortunate deflection took Germany's equaliser beyond Beadle and he was dragged off moments later.
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Tyler Morton (8/10):
An outstanding performance after his introduction for Scott. Beaten to the header by Weiper for his goal, but more than made up for it with a wicked Trent Alexander-Arnold-esque delivery to Rowe and sound defensive work from midfield.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy (7/10):
Played with an abundance of energy after his introduction following Germany's equaliser. Had a decent chance in normal time but could only hit it straight at the goalkeeper.
Jonathan Rowe (8/10):
A decisive substitute appearance. To score in any final is impressive, to do it seconds after coming on is astronomical.
Ethan Nwaneri (5/10):
It was not the game-changing impact hoped of by Nwaneri, but that did not matter as Rowe made the telling impact instead.
CJ Egan-Riley (6/10):
Came on for his first minutes of the tournament in extra time and had his role to play at the back as England held out.
Samuel Iling-Junior (5/10):
Another extra-time introduction, Iling-Junior worked hard for his team after coming on alongside Egan-Riley.
Lee Carsley (8/10):
Drilled his young side well throughout the tournament and made crucial substitutions on the night, none more so than the perfectly-timed introduction of Rowe.