England lost 2-1 to Germany in their last group fixture at the European U21 Championship at the Stadion pod Zoborom tonight.
They conceded in the third minute. Elliot Anderson lost possession, allowing Germany to cross from deep. The ball eluded Jarell Quansah, and Ansgar Knauff scored.
Ethan Nwaneri almost set up Quansah for an equaliser a few minutes later, but Tim Oermann made a superb interception to prevent him from scoring.
Three minutes later, Omari Hutchinson’s effort was deflected off German defender Elias Baum into goalkeeper Tjark Ernst’s hands.
Germany doubled their lead in the 32nd minute, as Mainz forward Nelson Weiper rose above his markers to guide his header into the net.
Harvey Elliott had England’s last chance of the first half, showing good feet to evade a couple of defenders before curling the ball over the crossbar.
Manager Lee Carsley made three changes at half-time, bringing on James McAtee, Jay Stansfield and Brooke Norton-Cuffy for Elliott, Samuel Iling-Junior and Jonathan Rowe.
Norton-Cuffy did well to get into a shooting position inside the area after 57 minutes, but Ernst comfortably saved his effort.
Carsley made two more changes after the hour mark to give his side more energy, bringing on Tyler Morton and Tom Fellows for Nwaneri and Anderson.
Jack Hinshelwood missed a good chance to reduce the deficit in the 76th minute, heading the ball over the bar from Alex Scott’s delivery.
Shortly after, the Young Lions scored courtesy of Hutchinson’s brilliance. The Ipswich Town forward beat his man to the byline and crossed for Scott to score.
Charlie Cresswell almost completed the comeback in the 83rd minute, powering a header towards goal, but Ernst parried it away.
England have qualified for the quarter-final after finishing second in the group with four points. They will face Spain in the next round.
