England lose narrowly to Germany in U21 Euro clash but qualify for quarter-final | OneFootball

England U21s lost 2-1 to Germany in their last group fixture at the U21 European Championship on Wednesday evening at Stadion pod Zoborom.England started the game slowly, conceding in the third minute. Elliot Anderson lost possession, allowing Germany to cross from deep. The ball eluded Jarell Quansah’s head, and Ansgar Knauff scored.They nearly scored the equaliser in the 10th minute when Ethan Nwaneri almost set up Quansah, but Tim Oermann made a superb interception to prevent the Liverpool defender from scoring.Three minutes later, Omari Hutchinson’s effort was also deflected off German defender Elias Baum into the hands of goalkeeper Tjark Ernst.Germany doubled their lead in the 32nd minute, as Mainz O5’s forward Nelson Weiper rose above his markers to guide his header into the net.Harvey Elliott got England’s last chance of the first half, showing good feet to evade a couple of defenders before curling the ball over the crossbar.Coach Lee Carsley made some changes at halftime, bringing on the trio of James McAtee, Jay Stansfield and Brooke Norton-Cuffy for Elliot, Samuel Iling-Junior and Jonathan Rowe.On 57 minutes, Norton-Cuffy did well in getting into a shooting position inside the area, but Ernst comfortably saved his effort.Carsley made two more changes after the hour mark to give his side more energy.

He brought on Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton with West Brom winger Tom Fellows for Nwaneri and Anderson.In the 76th minute, Jack Hinshelwood missed a good chance to reduce the deficit for the defending champions, 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 put a low cross for Scott to score.Charlie Cresswell almost completed the comeback in the 83rd minute, powering a header towards goal, but Ernst parried it away.Despite the defeat, England qualified for the quarter-final after finishing second in the group with four points. They will face Spain in the next round.