England 2 Netherlands 1
England Under-21 hero Harvey Elliott hopes he has not ruined his chances of leading his country to European Championship glory after a goal celebration went wrong.
Elliott scored twice as the Young Lions beat Netherlands in the semi-final in Bratislava.
The Liverpool midfielder attempted a knee slide after he opened the scoring just after the hour, but he got stuck in the dry conditions. He played on through the pain and moved England to within one of defending their title when he scored an 86th-minute winner after Noah Ohio equalised for the Dutch.
Two-goal England hero Harvey Elliott 🫡
Player of the Match in the first semi-final ✅#U21POTMpic.twitter.com/9jxj8JL30X
— UEFA Men’s Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) June 25, 2025
“I don’t know what I’ve done to my knee, but it’s b—– hurting,” he told Channel 4. “So hopefully it’s nothing too silly. It’s a silly decision from me, to be honest, but it’s just one of them, live in the moment.
“You do these things, but I forgot the pitch was ridiculously dry and it is the price I have to pay.”
England reached back-to-back finals of the Under-21 European Championship for the first time in 41 years and will attempt to become only the fourth side to defend the title on Saturday, when they will face Germany.
Despite an underwhelming start in the group stage, eventually squeezing through in second place, England have entertained in the knockouts. They dismissed tournament favourites Spain in the last eight, before Elliott stole the show in the semi-final.
There were disjointed performances along the way, but consider the stock of talent not here. Jobe Bellingham, Adam Wharton and Liam Delap all withdrew from the squad before the start of the tournament. First-choice centre-back pairing Jarrad Branthwaite and Taylor Harwood-Bellis both fell to injury on the final day of the Premier League season. James Trafford was taken by Thomas Tuchel’s seniors. The Club World Cup also depleted the talent available, with Jamie Gittens, Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis representing their clubs in the United States.
It is testament to the talent pool that the Football Association has nurtured since the National Football Centre opened in 2012: 15 of the 23-man squad play in one of Europe’s top five leagues, and the benefit of playing regular senior football is there for all to see.
It was a cagey first half in Bratislava, but England stepped it up after half-time as Lee Carsley tweaked his tactics. By moving the full-backs deeper, the England head coach created space for Alex Scott and Elliot Anderson to change the game, which helped lead to England’s opener. Scott recovered possession and combined with Anderson, who drove forward and played an outside-of-the-boot pass to Elliott, on the right side of the box. Taking it with his weaker right foot, the Liverpool midfielder blasted the ball into the roof of the net.
The lead lasted less than nine minutes as Charlie Cresswell and James Beadle shared a moment to forget. Dutch striker Noah Ohio capitalised on Cresswell’s misjudgment and, with Beadle off his line, Ohio took a punt from 40 yards and fired a remarkable effort into the bottom corner with his first touch of the game.
England’s persistence, however, paid off following a moment of sloppiness from the Dutch. Untracked, Elliott cut inside and carried the ball to the edge of the box and fired into the bottom corner.
Should England win on Saturday, Carsley will have replicated Dave Sexton’s success as England Under-21 head coach, with consecutive European Championship titles
“The objective is to help Thomas [Tuchel, England’s senior head coach], and his team win the World Cup, and if we can have players in this team who can perform in the biggest moments, then it’s only going to help the senior team,” he said.
Match details
England Under-21 (4-2-2-2) Beadle 6; Livramento 6, Cresswell 6, Quansah 6, Hinshelwood 7; Anderson 7, Scott 7 (Scott 84); Elliott 9 (Gray 90+1), Hutchinson 8 (Norton-Cuffy 78); McAtee 6 (Rowe 78), Stansfield 6 (Nwaneri 84).
Subs Edwards, Egan-Riley, Fellows, Iling-Junior, Sharman-Lowe, Simkin.
Booked Anderson.
Netherlands Under-21 (4-3-3) Roefs 6; Kasanwirjo 4 (Goes h-t), Van den Berg 6, Hato 6, Maatsen 6; Valente 6 (Meijer 76), Flamingo 5, Milambo 5 (Ohio 70); Manhoef 6 (Van Brederode 87), Van Bergen 6 (Regeer 87), Poku 7.
Subs Banzuzi, Raatsie, Regeer, Salah-Eddine, Van Brederode, Van den Heuvel. |
Booked Goes.
Referee Vasilis Fotias (Greece).
Attendance 14,719.
07:31 PM BST
Joe Cole speaking on Channel 4 about Elliott’s future
Anyone outside the top six he comfortably walks in and becomes the main player. He left Fulham as a young man. His learning has been spread out.
There is more to come from him. There will be teams all around Europe looking for Harvey Elliott’s number.
07:29 PM BST
England goalkeeper James Beadle speaking
Unbelievable. Once you go 1-0 to 1-1 it is a tough blow. Then we got a brilliant goal from Harvey.
I think we can beat anyone, we believe in our abilities and we are going there to win.
07:21 PM BST
Lee Carsley speaking
I thought the team were outstanding. The way we started the game was really exciting and were a little disappointed not to score.
The second half we played with real resilience, we had to defend the box, James made some good saves.
Harvey [Elliott] and Charlie [Cresswell] did not play a lot of minutes in the last campaign but we knew how important they would be, they have taken on the responsibility to drive the rest of the squad.
It’s just a shame that we have only got one game left because I think this team are outstanding.
07:05 PM BST
Harvey Elliott on his botched celebration
Really tough game but to win is incredible. Another final, I know I keep saying but we need to rest, recover and go again because it’s not over yet. Tonight was another amazing experience, in really tough conditions but the lads dug deep.
I don’t know what I’ve done to my knee [it planted in the ground when attempting a knee slide] but it’s bloody hurting. A silly decision from me, Live in the moment, you do these things. The pitch was ridiculously dry, but that’s the price I have got to pay.
It has been really tough preparation wise. As I said before, we had many players who had to drop out, Club World Cup and transfers.
We want to do it for everyone who can’t be here. It is one last push.
06:59 PM BST
The celebrations begin
Sweet Caroline plays as England book their spot in the final of the Under-21 European Championship. The title defence goes on! Harvey Elliott stole the show here in Bratislava with two exquisite goals.
Big cuddles shared between the England lads when the full time whistle blew. Alex Scott was right in the thick of it. Elliott, who will soon pick up his player of the match award, is absolutely relishing it.
06:57 PM BST
FT: England 2 Netherlands 1
England’s Under-21s are into consecutive European Championship finals, and they will defend their crown against France or Germany on Saturday.
They were deserved winners of that semi-final, and had one of their early chances gone in it may well have been a resounding scoreline.
Harvey Elliott with two sumptuous goals. Elliott and several of his team-mates have plenty of Premier League minutes on their CV now, a marked difference with the Dutch team. There was a technical and physical gulf at times.
06:54 PM BST
95 minutes: England 2 Netherlands 1
England have one last corner to defend! Roefs the goalkeeper is up, but Beadle does ever so well to come through traffic and catch the ball before collapsing to the turf. That is surely that.
06:53 PM BST
93 minutes: England 2 Netherlands 1
Poku sends a cross to the back post but Beadle deals with it at the second attempt before he catches Hato’s cross with ease. England can see the finish line now.
06:52 PM BST
92 minutes: England 2 Netherlands 1
England look more likely to add a third as the Dutch defence gets increasingly ragged. Anderson has been a powerhouse in the England midfield, and he bends a shot not far beyond the top corner.
06:50 PM BST
90 minutes: England 2 Netherlands 1
There will be FIVE minutes of stoppage time for England to survive. Archie Gray has replaced Harvey Elliott, who receives a rightful ovation from the England fans who have travelled to Slovakia.
06:48 PM BST
88 minutes: England 2 Netherlands 1
Beadle beats away a powerful strike from the edge of the area. Nwaneri could then have set Norton-Cuffy clear on the break but failed to spot him. Better from Nwaneri the next time he gets it, turning at the edge of the box and ensuring England keep the ball with Anderson.
06:45 PM BST
GOOOAALLL! Harvey Elliott with another peach
More brilliance from Harvey Elliott, although the Dutch defence did part all too easily. Driving inside from the right into central space, there was suddenly oceans of room to shoot from the edge of the area and the Liverpool man drilled his shot into the bottom corner.
06:44 PM BST
84 minutes: England 1 Netherlands 1
Another couple of England changes: Ethan Nwaneri and Hackney are coming on for Jay Stansfield and Alex Scott.
Dangerous moment from Netherlands there, but Quansah covered well and controlled his body to avoid conceding a penalty.
06:42 PM BST
82 minutes: England 1 Netherlands 1
Norton-Cuffy lets the ball run behind thinking it was an England goal kick, but it is a Netherlands corner. Any mistake now and it could well be curtains, but Charlie Cresswell wins a booming header to help England clear.
And Carsley’s team are straight on the break, with Elliott twisting and turning in the box when there was a chance to shoot and eventually his effort is blocked.
06:38 PM BST
79 minutes: England 1 Netherlands 1
England’s turn to make a couple of changes with extra-time on the horizon: Jonathan Rowe and Brooke Norton-Cuffy replace Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee.
06:37 PM BST
Ohio a good friend of Jude Bellingham’s
Talk about instant impact, Noah Ohio has just scored with his first touch. Lovely strike too, as he pounces on Charlie Cresswell’s miss control and detects Beadle out of position before striking 40 yards from goal into the bottom corner.
Ohio, who spent time at both Manchester City’s and Manchester United’s academies, is best mates with England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The No 9 ran to the bench and shared hugs with most of the Dutch backroom staff after he repaid their faith within minutes of his introduction.
06:35 PM BST
75 minutes: England 1 Netherlands 1
England go in search of an immediate response, but play breaks down near the edge of the box and suddenly this game is stretched. Netherlands are making another sub: Valente is coming off, replaced by Meijer.
06:32 PM BST
GOOOOAAALLLL! Super sub Ohio with a brilliant piece of improvisation
Charlie Cresswell made the initial error by missing his kick, before the Dutch striker takes advantage of Beadle’s high starting position and catches out the England goalkeeper. Ohio took the shot first-time with his left foot from well outside the box, bending it around Beadle and in at the near post. Great finish, took everyone by surprise.
06:29 PM BST
70 minutes: England 1 Netherlands 0
Netherlands rolling the dice now. The centre-forward Ohio, who has played for Manchester United and Manchester City’s academy teams, has replaced Milambo. Time for another drinks break. Or a ‘cooling break’ in Uefa-speak.
06:28 PM BST
68 minutes: England 1 Netherlands 0
Alex Scott turns the ball behind for a corner after Beadle fails to come. Netherlands have not looked too dangerous in general play, it might take a set-piece.
From the second-phase, Poku darts into the box in menacing fashion but Quansah was in the right place to intercept.
Then Livramento defends well under a high cross.
06:25 PM BST
65 minutes: England 1 Netherlands 0
England buoyant now, and Hutchinson strikes into the side-netting after chopping inside Goes. It was patient from England and Hinshelwood to wait for the chance to release Hutchinson. England have good options on the bench too; can they put this to bed now?
06:22 PM BST
GOOOOALLL! Cracking goal from Harvey Elliott
Elliot Anderson with a driving run through midfield into space and he played an outside of the foot pass into Elliott on the right side of the penalty area. With his weaker right foot, he blasted a shot beyond Roefs into the roof of the net. That was the decisive contribution in the box England have been waiting for.
Could that be the moment that sends England to consecutive Under-21 European Championship finals?
A lovely finish from Harvey Elliott, who won this tournament in 2023, before he ran off to celebrate in front of his family. A nice moment as they shared a reciprocal heart hand gesture.
06:21 PM BST
62 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Hutchinson trying his luck on the right now, but he messes up an attempt to find Livramento’s overlapping run and Netherlands have a goal kick.
06:18 PM BST
59 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Cracking strike from Ian Maatsen, swerving with the outside of his left foot, and Beadle produced an eye-catching save to push the ball around the post as it flew through bodies. The game is opening up now.
A nice opening for right-back Tino Livramento there, as he received the ball inside the penalty area but took a few too many touches before attempting to get his shot away.
It induced a massive response from assistant manager and possibly England’s greatest ever left-back, Ashley Cole, who came bursting out of the dugout to give instructions to the next generation.
06:17 PM BST
57 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Livramento at the heart of so much of England’s good play, this time taking up a position inside like an attacking midfielder. After a pass around the corner, Livramento had a chance to shoot from inside the box but he delayed and angle closed.
06:14 PM BST
55 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Omari Hutchinson is told to “run at him” but Lee Carsley on the touchline, but this time the Dutch defenders snuff out his dribble.
Some space between England defenders at the other end, and it takes a strong arm from Beadle to block Valente’s low cross.
06:12 PM BST
52 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Stansfield is caught by the studs of goalkeeper Roefs as he tried to charge him down with some selfless pressing. It is not too serious and the Birmingham City striker is fit to resume.
At the other end, Hinshelwood produces a vital interception in the box after Valente tried to play a dangerous one-two.
06:08 PM BST
49 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Livramento shows the gas he has in the tank to track the run of Poku. The Newcastle United full-back is enjoying a strong tournament (in truth, he is probably a cut above this level).
The Netherlands have taken Neraysho Kasanwirjo off at half time. It’s no surprise: Omari Hutchinson was rinsing him. The right-back could not handle Hutchinson’s pace, directness and trickery in the first half.
England clearly identified him as the man to target, and it worked. However, with Netherlands holding England, they could regret not taking one of the chances Kasanwirjo offered.
06:07 PM BST
47 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Elliott with an inswinging cross which is headed clear by Goes. Netherlands’ half of the pitch is in shade now, so if England can spend as much of the game there as possible that would be beneficial. Stansfield penalised for a foul in midfield.
06:04 PM BST
We are back under way!
Netherlands get the second half started.
06:04 PM BST
A half-time change from Netherlands
Wouter Goes replaces right-back Kasanwirjo, presumably because of how he struggled against Omari Hutchinson.
05:50 PM BST
HT: England 0 Netherlands 0
England started the half impressively with Harvey Elliott bringing out two important saves from the Netherlands goalkeeper Roefs. Omari Hutchinson was especially lively in that period, while Hinshelwood and McAtee have also had good games. The rhythm of the game was halted by the drinks break on a hot night in Bratislava, and since then Netherlands have improved.
05:48 PM BST
45 minutes+2: England 0 Netherlands 0
After that Anderson foul, Netherlands messed up the free-kick and England broke down the left. It looked to have opened up for Hinshelwood in the box, but his shot was deflected over. England once again look quite blunt from the resulting corner.
05:47 PM BST
45 minutes+1: England 0 Netherlands 0
Elliot Anderson shown a harsh yellow card for a flailing arm has be protected the ball. With the sparse crowd in Bratislava, you can clearly hear he thinks it is a soft decision. Among other things.
05:46 PM BST
45 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Alex Scott with a delightful touch and turn in midfield as the ball dropped out of the sky, but England could not make the resulting corner count. There will be three minutes of stoppage time following the drinks break.
05:43 PM BST
42 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Livramento taking his time over a throw-in deep in England’s half. Hutchinson is then fouled in midfielder. A few minutes earlier, England tried a clever up-back-and-through but the goalkeeper Roefs read it and claimed McAtee’s through ball.
05:39 PM BST
38 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
The pace of the game as slowed considerably now. England are defending in a 4-4-2 shape with Hutchinson and Elliott tucking in and allowing Netherlands to play wide. You can hear the shouts of “Narrow!” from the England bench. Cresswell defends well again to cover behind the England bench.
05:36 PM BST
35 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Netherlands have improved since the drinks break, they are enjoying more possession and territory. The weather in Bratislava dictates that neither team will keep the squeeze on their opponents incessantly. Big defensive block from Charlie Cresswell in his own area.
05:32 PM BST
32 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Lovely football from England involving Jack Hinshelwood and Hutchinson down the left, with Hinshelwood picking out Elliott with a chipped cross to the edge of the box. I think the Liverpool man could have gone touch-shoot, but he tried a more intricate pass which was cut out.
05:31 PM BST
30 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Poku helps win Netherlands a corner shortly after the restart in play, but Beadle takes the delivery in his gloves with an excellent claim. Then the England goalkeeper is off his line sharply to gather after some slicker Dutch football involving Valente.
05:25 PM BST
25 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
More promising from Netherlands but at the edge of the England box Manhoef fails to find Van Bergen with the pass. Time for the drinks break. More for Michael Reiziger to chew on I would suggest.
England enjoying the bulk of possession here, and that’s exactly what Lee Carsley would have wanted to see from his side.
Limit the amount of running in the heat, dominate the game and force the Dutch to wear themselves out chasing the ball.
It has been a lively start for England. Lots of dangerous balls in behind, threatening from corners and getting into good positions.
England have had 12 attacks to the Netherlands’ four. Now they need the finishing touch.
The drinks break comes at a good moment for England. Lee Carsley is using it to give instructions to Jay Stansfield, Charlie Creswell and James McAtee.
The players have covered their necks with soaking wet towels. Alex Scott utilised the break to briefly take his facemask off; it must be absolutely drenched.
05:22 PM BST
22 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
McAtee and Livramento have a great understanding with each other, cutting Netherlands apart down the right. Once again Roefs was quick off his line to block McAtee’s flick as the angle narrowed. The goalkeepers has been Netherlands’ best player so far. England have done everything bar score.
05:19 PM BST
19 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
More slick football from England, with McAtee receiving the ball in a tight pocket of space and finding Hinshelwood free on the left. His cross is blocked and England have another corner but once again it is caught by Roefs.
05:18 PM BST
17 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
England asked to defend, but Ian Maatsen’s delivery from a wide free-kick was far too deep. Apart from one breakaway with Poku the Dutch have strung very little together so far.
05:14 PM BST
14 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
England have another corner, they are all over Netherlands at the moment. Roefs claims the corner to alleviate the pressure on the Dutch defence. This has probably been England’s best start to a game in this tournament.
05:13 PM BST
12 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Another smart save from Netherlands goalkeeper Roefs, once again with his feet and once again from Harvey Elliott. The Liverpool player shifted the ball to his left foot to shoot from a tight angle. In the build-up to the chance, there was another successful dribble from Hutchinson.
05:11 PM BST
11 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
England with a sustained spell of possession although most of it is in front of the Dutch’s defensive shape.
Omari Hutchinson is once again the player who brings some urgency and daring to the attack, before Livramento’s cross is turned behind for a corner.
The near-post delivery is headed clear but Elliott caught a volley sweelty at the edge of the box which brought an important block from Hato.
05:07 PM BST
7 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
Alex Scott and Elliot Anderson look a strong midfield partnership and are helping England get a grip on this game in the early stages. Anderson wanted a free-kick on the edge of the box but the referee told him to get up.
Poku shows his pace for Netherlands to skip away from the lunging Cresswell, but he cannot pick out an orange shirt in the box.
05:05 PM BST
4 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
England with the first clear chance of the game and it was created by Omari Hutchinson, who dropped a shoulder to beat his full-back on the left flank. He pulled the ball across goal for Harvey Elliott to strike at the back post, and it took an outstretched leg from the goalkeeper Roefs to deny the Liverpool man the opening goal.
05:02 PM BST
2 minutes: England 0 Netherlands 0
England trying to put the squeeze on the Dutch right from the off, but the team in orange are trying to back themselves to pass their way out of their penalty area. Most of the pitch is bathed in sunshine. The temperature is surely going to affect the tempo of the game. Van Bergen leaves one on Cresswell with an early foul.
The suspended Tyler Morton is sitting alongside FA Technical Director John McDermott, cheering on his teammates in this European Championship semi-final.
He covered the most ground of any England player against Spain and will be a big miss tonight. Though it shows the quality of the squad that Lee Carsley can call upon the strength and progressive passing of Elliot Anderson to fill in.
Bittersweet for Morton, who is forced to watch this one from the stands.
05:00 PM BST
KICK OFF!
England get this European Championship semi-final under way.
04:56 PM BST
Time for the anthems
England looked nervy for the first five minutes against Spain and could have conceded a penalty. They will want a more sure-footed start tonight.
04:48 PM BST
Keeping the ball key on a warm night
England against the Netherlands in a European Championship semi-final… this feels a tad familiar.
350 days ago, then-Gareth Southgate’s seniors booked their spot in successive European Championship finals with a last-gasp winner from Ollie Watkins.
Now, the Under-21s will attempt to reach consecutive European Championship finals as they continue their title defence. Let’s hope a 90th-minute winner is not required tonight.
It is 32C here at the National Football Stadium for this early evening kick-off. Harvey Elliott complained about the heat when England previously had this kick-off slot in their goalless draw with Slovenia.
Lee Carsley’s side will hope to dominate the ball and limit the running required in the Bratislava sunshine.
04:47 PM BST
Some of Lee Carsley’s pre-match thoughts
This isn’t the same team, a lot of these players are experiencing this type of attention for the first time. They get it at their clubs but with internationals it’s a different level.
We’re there to support the players and they know we’re trying to remove as much pressure from them as possible. There’s an expectation in the group to do well in these tournaments.
There’s a lot of difference between what we went through two years ago and today – just based on the amount of players.
It’s never the same but there’s got to be a confidence we have been here before, we’re comfortable. We don’t feel like we’re ready to go home just yet.
04:32 PM BST
England’s players begin their warm up
04:15 PM BST
Transfer watch
Ajax defender Jorell Hato, who can play as a left-sided centre-back or a left-back, is in the Netherlands team tonight. He has been linked to Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea over the last 18 months and has been described as a left-footed Jurrien Timber.
04:05 PM BST
Netherlands team news
Starting XI: Roefs, Kasanwirjo, Maatsen, van den Berg, Hato, Flamingo, Valente, Milambo, van Bergen, Manhoef, Poku
Subs: Raatsie, van den Heuvel, Salah-Eddine, Meijer, Goes, Regeer, Banzuzi, van Brederode, Ohio
03:48 PM BST
England team news: Anderson returns in midfield as expected
Tyler Morton is suspended, but given Anderson’s dynamism and running power I think he would have replaced him in any case.
📋 Tonight’s #U21EURO semi-final team news… pic.twitter.com/i76OxuDHgP
— England (@England) June 25, 2025
03:42 PM BST
This evening’s venue
National Football Stadium, Bratislava 🏟️
The scene for our #YoungLions‘ semi-final this evening. pic.twitter.com/lPfCNb0vJk
— England (@England) June 25, 2025
03:38 PM BST
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03:37 PM BST
Lee Carsley hopes more technical England are changing perceptions
England were underdogs against tournament favourites Spain in the quarter-finals but now there is expectancy that Lee Carsley’s team can defend their Under-21 European Championship crown.
The 3-1 victory over Spain was an absorbing watch, and this evening they face a Netherlands team managed by former Barcelona right-back Michael Reiziger. The Dutch are missing Ruben van Bommel, son of Mark, owing to suspension but the core of their team are plucked from AZ Alkmaar’s 2023 Uefa Youth League winners.
We can expect some changes to England’s team with Carsley managing his resources in punishing summer temperatures in Slovakia. Elliot Anderson influenced the Spain contest from the bench but is expected to start in midfield. Jonathan Rowe, Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Ethan Nwaneri are also pushing for inclusion from the start.
Carsley hopes that England’s success at youth level is changing perceptions on the continent.
“The skill of a coach is making sure you get the best out of the players that you’ve got in front of you, not trying to make them something that they’re not,” Carsley said. “I think we’ve done quite well in that.
“We’ve tried to put them in positions where they can be really effective, whether that be with or without the ball.
“Ideally, and I’ve spoken to the players about it, you want to coach a team where you’re watching the team play and you’re enjoying watching them. And that Spain game and the second half of the Germany game, you’re on the side, enjoying watching the players play and expressing themselves.
“You want foreign journalists to speak about our players the way that we sometimes speak about their players in terms of their technical ability or the way that they can take the ball. I think we’re definitely changing that perception of English players.”
Full team news on the way shortly.