England’s Below-21s struck late in opposition to the Netherlands to guide their place in back-to-back European Below-21 Championship finals, with Harvey Elliott the star of the present.
Elliott struck twice within the second half, together with a late winner within the 86th minute, to ship the Younger Lions via and maintain their hopes alive of defending their crown.
Regardless of the match delivering excessive drama within the second half, the opening 45 minutes have been tightly contested.
Either side traded corners and half-chances, with England exhibiting early intent via Elliott, who examined Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs 3 times within the opening levels.
Elliott, combining effectively with Omari Hutchinson and Jay Stansfield, was on the coronary heart of every thing good for England, however discovered Roefs in very good kind.
The Dutch, in the meantime, appeared harmful on the break, with Million Manhoef and Thom van Bergen probing from huge areas.
James Beadle needed to be alert to parry a long-range effort from Ian Maatsen, and Tino Livramento was stored busy at right-back.
#U21EURO finalists 🏴❤️ pic.twitter.com/N4ZgCfaYh1
— England (@England) June 25, 2025
The primary half ended goalless, with each groups having fun with spells of management however unable to interrupt via compact defences.
The second half started with the Netherlands making a key change, bringing on Wouter Goes. England upped the tempo instantly, and after a spell of Dutch stress that noticed Beadle save effectively from Maatsen and Flamingo, the Younger Lions struck.
Within the 62nd minute, Elliot Anderson’s intelligent play on the sting of the realm created area for Elliott, who hit an impressive right-footed effort into the highest nook from a decent angle on the appropriate.
However that lead lasted simply 10 minutes. The Netherlands responded shortly via substitute Noah Ohio, who shocked England with a thunderous left-footed strike from lengthy vary to make it 1-1 within the 72nd minute.
Carsley turned to his bench, introducing Hayden Hackney and Ethan Nwaneri, and it was the Middlesbrough midfielder who made the telling contribution late on.
Within the 86th minute, Hackney slipped a wonderfully weighted cross into Elliott’s path, and the Liverpool midfielder made no mistake, slotting residence into the underside proper nook.
With time ticking away, the Dutch pushed ahead, and substitute Ernest Poku got here near equalising with a fierce shot that Beadle tipped over at full stretch.
England held agency via 5 nervy minutes of stoppage time, with Archie Grey approaching to assist see out the end result.
MAKE. THAT. TWO. ⚽️⚽️
Harvey Elliott with an impressive objective – run and end, very good!
🏴 2-1 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/MugN0JEMBm
— England (@England) June 25, 2025
The win places England U21 into their second consecutive European last.
The Younger Lions will now face both France or Germany within the last, aiming to develop into the primary aspect since 2011 to retain the U21 European title.
