Germany close to last eight after defeating Slovenia

• Johannes Eggestein's instinctive near-post finish gives Germany victory in Burgas
• Germany require a point from their final fixture to finish top of Group B
• Goalless Slovenia are not out despite their second successive defeat
• Next matches: Germany v Czech Republic, Slovenia v Belgium (Tuesday)

Germany are on the brink of the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship quarter-finals after a slender victory against Slovenia in Burgas.

Johannes Eggestein scored what could be the goal of the tournament so far in the eighth minute. Niklas Schmidt delivered a left-wing corner and the SV Werder Bremen youngster exquisitely finished from a tight angle with his right back heel, à la Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Slovenia, beaten 1-0 by the Czech Republic first time out, should have equalised soon after when Timi Elšnik floated a free-kick into the Germany penalty area. Oscar Cvjetičanin won the header, the ball reaching captain Jan Mlakar, the eight-goal top scorer in qualifying. With the net at his mercy from no more than three metres out, Mlakar's shot was blocked by keeper Constantin Frommann.

Germany almost doubled their lead after 26 minutes, skipper Felix Passlack, on target in the 2-0 defeat of Belgium here on Wednesday, curling a shot against Rok Vodišek's right-hand post. Vodišek then expertly thwarted Schmidt and Erdinc Karakas to keep his side in the contest.

Christian Wück's team spurned another glorious opportunity as Schmidt was released on the right, but his low diagonal shot went narrowly wide. Just before the break the lively Schmidt forced another great save from Vodišek with a ferocious free-kick.

After a sedate start to the second half Germany started to threaten once more, Schmidt bringing a confident stop out of Vodišek with a long-range strike. The Slovenia custodian stood tall again seven minutes from time, frustrating Dzenis Burnic.

Reaction
Igor Benedejčič, Slovenia coach
We tried our best, but we lack experience of such big tournaments. Our main problems are in midfield. I cannot blame Jan Mlakar for his miss.

Christian Wück, Germany coach
It was a very tight and exciting game. We played well in the first half. We kept the ball well and we pressed well. Johannes Eggestein scored a beautiful goal after a corner. It was lucky, but we have practised this set piece a lot. It was good for us as it came early in the match.