England’s Under-21s struck late against the Netherlands to book their place in back-to-back European Under-21 Championship finals, with Harvey Elliott the star of the show.
Elliott struck twice in the second half, including a late winner in the 86th minute, to send the Young Lions through and keep their hopes alive of defending their crown.
Despite the match delivering high drama in the second half, the opening 45 minutes were tightly contested.
Both sides traded corners and half-chances, with England showing early intent through Elliott, who tested Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs three times in the opening stages.
Elliott, combining well with Omari Hutchinson and Jay Stansfield, was at the heart of everything good for England, but found Roefs in superb form.
The Dutch, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the break, with Million Manhoef and Thom van Bergen probing from wide areas.
James Beadle had to be alert to parry a long-range effort from Ian Maatsen, and Tino Livramento was kept busy at right-back.
#U21EURO finalists 🏴❤️ pic.twitter.com/N4ZgCfaYh1
— England (@England) June 25, 2025
The first half ended goalless, with both teams enjoying spells of control but unable to break through compact defences.
The second half began with the Netherlands making a key change, bringing on Wouter Goes. England upped the tempo immediately, and after a spell of Dutch pressure that saw Beadle save well from Maatsen and Flamingo, the Young Lions struck.
In the 62nd minute, Elliot Anderson’s clever play on the edge of the area created space for Elliott, who hit a magnificent right-footed effort into the top corner from a tight angle on the right.
But that lead lasted just 10 minutes. The Netherlands responded quickly through substitute Noah Ohio, who stunned England with a thunderous left-footed strike from long range to make it 1-1 in 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.
In the 86th minute, Hackney slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Elliott’s path, and the Liverpool midfielder made no mistake, slotting home into the bottom right corner.
With time ticking away, the Dutch pushed forward, and substitute Ernest Poku came close to equalising with a fierce shot that Beadle tipped over at full stretch.
England held firm through five nervy minutes of stoppage time, with Archie Gray coming on to help see out the result.
MAKE. THAT. TWO. ⚽️⚽️
Harvey Elliott with an outstanding goal – run and finish, superb!
🏴 2-1 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/MugN0JEMBm
— England (@England) June 25, 2025
The win puts England U21 into their second consecutive European final.
The Young Lions will now face either France or Germany in the final, aiming to become the first side since 2011 to retain the U21 European title.
