Germany’s Under-21 team suffered a heartbreaking defeat to England in the final of the UEFA Under-21 Championship, losing 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling contest.
The match got off to a disastrous start for the German side, with England taking the lead in just the fifth minute. While German goalkeeper Noah Atubolu initially denied a shot from Archie Hutchinson, the resulting rebound was clinically finished by Liverpool’s Curtis Elliott. England continued to press and their dominance was rewarded in the 24th minute when Carney McAtee expertly found Hutchinson inside the penalty area, who powerfully struck the ball past Atubolu to double the lead.
However, Germany responded before halftime, narrowing the gap in added time of the first half. A corner kick was initially defended, but relentless pressure from Yannik Nebel allowed him to deliver a pinpoint cross to Julian Weiper, who headed emphatically into the net. The goal injected renewed energy into the German team, bringing them within striking distance at the break.
The second half witnessed a dramatic resurgence from the German side, leveling the score in the 61st minute. Nebel, proving pivotal, carved out space within the penalty area and his shot, albeit deflected, found the back of the net, igniting hopes of a comeback.
As the match entered its final moments, Nebel came agonizingly close to snatching victory in regulation time. His late strike, however, could only find the crossbar, sending the game into extra time.
The decisive blow came in the 92nd minute of extra time when substitute Charlie Rowe capitalized on a well-delivered cross from Alex Morton, powering a header past Atubolu to restore England’s lead.
Despite a late surge from Germany, Röhl striking the crossbar from 16 metres in the 121st minute, it proved to be merely consolation. England held on to secure the U21 European Championship title, leaving the German side to rue a valiant effort that ultimately fell short.
