2025 Under-21 EURO: England retain title

England 3-2 Germany (aet)
(Elliott 5, Hutchinson 24, Rowe 92; Weiper 45+1, Nebel 61)
National Football Stadium, Bratislava

The concluding game at this tournament pitted together a pair of three-time winners and it was England who moved one shy of the competition record of five successes, held jointly by Spain and Italy, by taking the title in Slovakia.

England were hoping to become the first team since Spain in 2011 and 2013 to win successive titles – a feat the Young Lions had not achieved since 1982 and 1984 – while Germany were aiming to secure the title with a 100% record at the finals, something England had managed across their six matches at the previous edition. It was Lee Carsley's side that ultimately achieved their goal.

The two finalists had originally locked horns in their final Group B game, which Germany won 2-1. Fortunately for England, Czechia's 2-0 victory over Slovenia on the same evening ensured Carsley's side edged through as runners-up. Germany had already beaten Slovenia 3-0 – Nick Woltemade scoring only the seventh finals hat-trick – and Czechia 4-2 to seal first place in the group before that meeting with England, who had won 3-1 against Czechia before a goalless draw with Slovenia.

In Group A, Spain and Italy went head to head for first place on Matchday 3 after both saw off hosts Slovakia and Romania. Niccolò Pisilli's second-half equaliser earned a 1-1 draw for the Azzurrini, although Spain held on to first place.

Portugal and France, who shared a 0-0 draw in their section opener, would progress from Group C with seven points apiece. While Portugal romped past Poland 5-0 and Georgia 4-0 to top the group, it was less straightforward for Les Bleuets, who had to score in the 89th and 102nd minutes to pip Georgia 3-2 before downing Poland 4-1.

Group D proved the tightest of the four sections with three teams heading into their final game hoping to join Denmark, who had overcome Ukraine 3-2 and Netherlands 3-1, in the last eight. Finland, who had held Netherlands 2-2 in their opener before losing to Ukraine, could not prise the win they needed and a 2-2 draw with Denmark ended their hopes. The Jong Oranje took advantage, scoring in either half to beat Ukraine 2-0 and jump into the second spot.

Netherlands produced a superb disciplined performance to beat Portugal 1-0 in the opening quarter-final fixture. Reduced to ten men when Ruben van Bommel was dismissed in the 21st minute, Michael Reiziger's side survived a missed Geovany Quenda penalty for Portugal before Ernest Poku grabbed a late winner.

England finally clicked in the second quarter-final with James McAtee and Harvey Elliott on target inside 15 minutes to pave the way for a 3-1 victory over Spain, and two dramatic five-goal thrillers completed the last-eight ties the following night.

France showed their powers of recovery again with goals in the final six minutes from Quentin Merlin and Mathys Tel turning a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory over Denmark. Germany, meanwhile, led 2-1 against an Italy side reduced to nine men only for Giuseppe Ambrosino's last-gasp free-kick to force extra time. Merlin Röhl's 117th-minute drive eventually saw Germany through.

Elliott was England's hero as they defeated Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-finals, scoring either side of Noah Ohio's spectacular equaliser to take his tournament tally to four, though the Young Lions' talisman went into the showpiece two goals behind Woltemade, who was on target for the sixth time in only four matches as Germany cruised past France 3-0 in their last-four encounter.

The final, therefore, pitched the two individual top scorers together in Woltemade and Elliott, as the tournament's most prolific team, Germany (15 goals to that point), faced the holders England.

Elliott struck first and the Young Lions were coasting when Omari Hutchinson drove in their secondgoal. Nelson Weiper's reply before half-time turned the tide though, and Antonio Di Salvo's side drew level through Paul Nebel. However, England struck the decisive blow in extra time when Jonathan Rowe glanced in a wonderful cross from fellow substitute Tyler Morton.

Elliott was named Player of the Tournament while Woltemade finished as top scorer with six goals.