England U21 3-2 Germany U21 (AET): Jonathan Rowe the hero as Young Lions claim back-to-back Euro U21 titles | OneFootball

Young Lions emulate feat of 82-84 side by retaining European U21 Championship crown

England U21 have retained the European U21 Championship by beating Germany U21 in a dramatic final after extra-time.

A reversal seemed to be on the cards at one stage as England raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 25 minutes, but Germany responded and got back on level terms with strikes either side of the break and they almost won it with the virtually the final kick of the regular 90.

In the end, Jonathan Rowe - on as a substitute at the start of extra-time - scored what turned out to be the winner with only his second touch of the game, earning the Young Lions their fourth U21s title in the process.

Harvey Elliott, the hero in the semi-final against the Netherlands, gave England a dream start inside five minutes. Omari Hutchinson was heavily involved as he saw a shot saved by Noah Atubolu and the rebound fell to the in-form Liverpool midfielder who found the net with a lovely finish.

The Young Lions had chances - most notably through Jay Stansfield - to extend their lead before Hutchinson did just that.

Captain James McAtee did superbly to work the ball to the unmarked winger in the box and the Ipswich star drilled an effort through Atubolu’s legs to put England 2-0 up before the half hour mark.

Very much on top, Lee Carsley’s youngsters could have been out of sight before half-time as a fine save from Atubolu kept Germany in the game.

That said, shortly before the break came a turning point. Alex Scott limped off with an injury and his replacement Tyler Morton couldn’t get near Nelson Weiper who planted a bullet header past James Beadle to reduce the deficit in stoppage time.

Paul Nebel, who claimed the assist for Weiper’s goal, completed the comeback with a fantastic strike and was then denied a winner in stoppage time as his effort crashed against the crossbar.

Having survived that scare, Carsley’s substitution at the start of the second half paid off within minutes as Rowe made enough contact with Morton’s superb cross to crown England kings of Europe at under-21 level once again.