England U21s 2 Germany U21s 2 (3-4 pens.): Penalty shootout heartbreak for Young Lions

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George Elek27 June 2017

It was an all too familiar story as valiant England were unable to emerge victorious in a penalty shoot-out against Germany, who now progress to the final of the U21 European Championships.

The game finished 2-2 in a match were both teams lead, but it was Germany who dominated the game for the vast majority.

England came out of the blocks fast, with Nathaniel Chalobah and Tammy Abraham passing up great opportunities to put Aidy Boothroyd’s team in front. The tide began to turn about fifteen minutes into the semi-final as German captain Max Arnold became the game’s dominant force.

Germany took the lead during a period of play where they were totally dominant. A cross from the right hand side from Toljan found Selke in the middle of the area and he thumped his header to the right of Pickford and into the back of the net.

Given how the pattern of the game had played out it seemed that Germany had scored their first in what would be a comfortable win, but Ward-Prowse’s delivery continued to cause the Germans almighty problems. With England on the back foot, a free-kick eventually fell to Gray’s left foot and he made no mistake.

England should have had a penalty late in the first-half when a deliberate foul off the ball on Tammy Abraham was not spotted. By the time the break came, bizarrely both teams could feel aggrieved at not being ahead.

Soon England were; Will Hughes was the best English player on the pitch and his fancy footwork down the right wing saw him glide past two German defenders before squaring it to Tammy Abraham who couldn’t miss.

PA

Predictably England then sat back, giving Germany far too much time in the final third. Abraham cut a lonely figure up top, deserted by his ten teammates who had set up in a low defensive block. The equaliser came from a corner as substitute Platte beat Holgate at the near post to head Germany level.

Platte thought that he had won the game as he headed another past Pickford, but was harshly judged to be offside when he looked to be level. Germany saw the vast majority of the ball in the closing 15 minutes but were generally restricted to long-range efforts. England were able to dig in and force extra-time.

The first period followed a similar pattern to the game with Germany absolutely dominating proceedings. Substitute Amiri was causing England all sorts of trouble. Pickford had to make one or two smart saves from distance, but Germany failed to create anything clear-cut.

Just before the break Lewis Baker had a rare half-chance for England which he sliced high and wide in what typified a tired performance from the Chelsea player.

In the second half of added time it was England who twice went close. Substitute Iorfa’s run down the right saw a cross headed wide by John Swift, and then Chambers was unable to capitalise when Pollersbeck was caught flapping at a Ward-Prowse free-kick.

PA

Amiri then missed the easiest chance of the game when he was unable to tap in Toljan’s cross at the back post to kill it at the death. Penalties beckoned, and that alone was something of a victory for this plucky England team.

Gerhardt was the first player to miss, but Tammy Abraham was unable to make the advantage count when having the very next effort saved. The shoot-out was poised at 4-3 when Nathan Redmond stepped up, but his tame shot was saved to finally settle the tie.

There can be little doubt that the better team won here, but England will still rue missed opportunities to capitalise on German errors. This is not the first time England have suffered heartbreak at the hands of Germany in this way, but one cannot fault the effort and desire that this group showed to get so close to the final.

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