England’s Under-21s spectacularly retained their European crown, edging past Germany 3-2 after extra time in a pulsating Euro 2025 final in Bratislava.
Jonathan Rowe proved the unlikely hero, nodding home a dramatic 92nd-minute winner just two minutes after coming off the bench.
The Marseille forward met Tyler Morton’s precise cross to seal back-to-back European Championships for Lee Carsley’s side—mirroring England’s historic triumph in 2023, which had ended a 39-year wait for the title.
The Young Lions made a blistering start, with Harvey Elliott sweeping in his fifth goal of the tournament inside five minutes. Omari Hutchinson soon doubled the advantage with a composed finish midway through the first half, as England threatened to blow their rivals away.
Germany, however, clawed their way back. Nelson Weiper powered in a header in first-half stoppage time, before Paul Nebel curled home a stunning equaliser on the hour mark. England were rocked, with Nebel later rattling the crossbar in the dying seconds of normal time.
Despite the pressure, the Three Lions dug deep. Rowe’s late header sparked jubilant celebrations, though Germany almost forced penalties when Merlin Rohl’s stoppage-time strike struck the bar.
The result secures another landmark achievement for manager Lee Carsley, who only recently extended his contract with the FA for another two years.
Having now matched Dave Sexton’s feat of consecutive European titles in 1982 and 1984, speculation will undoubtedly grow over his future—with possible links to senior club roles or even as a long-term successor to Thomas Tuchel.
Carsley masterminded this triumph despite being without several key talents, including Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Adam Wharton, Jobe Bellingham, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Jarrad Branthwaite.
Harvey Elliott starred in a dominant first half, while James McAtee’s tireless performance earned him man-of-the-match honours.
Midfield duo Alex Scott and Elliott Anderson controlled the game early on, though Scott’s injury just before half-time saw England lose some momentum.
Germany’s top scorer, Nick Woltemade—who had netted six times in the tournament—was kept unusually quiet, failing to register a single shot. Despite firing in 44 crosses in a bid to exploit his aerial threat, Germany converted just one, thanks to resolute defending from Charlie Cresswell and Jarell Quansah.
England, in contrast, were more efficient, scoring from four of their 14 deliveries into the box.
The Young Lions will now set their sights on a historic third consecutive European title, with Euro 2027 qualifying kicking off in September against Kazakhstan. Germany, meanwhile, will begin their new campaign at home to Latvia.
