England`s Young Lions have secured their place in the European Championship final after Harvey Elliott`s match-winning performance saw them defeat the Netherlands U21s 2-1 in the semi-final.
Elliott’s decisive brace ensured England progressed despite a spectacular equalizing goal from Noah Ohio, a close friend of Jude Bellingham. England will now face Germany in the final.
The match, played in scorching temperatures at the Narodny Futbalovy Stadion in Bratislava, saw head coach Lee Carsley make just one change to the side that beat Spain in the previous round.
Elliot Anderson returned to the midfield, replacing the suspended Tyler Morton, to play alongside Alex Scott. James McAtee and Jay Stansfield were positioned ahead of them.
Omari Hutchinson and Liverpool playmaker Elliott were tasked with providing attacking threat from the flanks, while the back four consisted of Tino Livramento, Charlie Cresswell, Jarell Quansah, and Jack Hinshelwood, protecting goalkeeper James Beadle.
Despite the intense heat, England started strongly and created early chances against the Dutch within the first three minutes. Anderson`s run fed Hutchinson on the left, whose cross found Elliott at the back post, but his shot was saved by Robin Roefs.
Dutch full-back Neraysho Kasanwirjo faced a challenging start as Hutchinson caused him continuous problems under sustained England pressure. Roefs was called into action again, pushing a fierce Elliott drive wide and also denying captain McAtee`s attempted backheel flick.
Holland failed to register a shot on target before the cooling break mid-way through the first half. The pause seemed to benefit them more, as England appeared to lose momentum and the Dutch gained control of possession.
However, despite their period of control, the Dutch created little of note, with only a weak penalty appeal from Thom Van Bergen being waved away. The half ended goalless after a deflected shot from Scott.
At halftime, Wouter Goes replaced Kasanwirjo, who had struggled against Hutchinson. In the second half, Aston Villa`s Ian Maatsen, who was a substitute for the senior team when Ollie Watkins scored against Holland at Euro 2024, finally tested England goalkeeper James Beadle with a low shot from 25 yards, which was pushed wide.
England quickly countered and made the breakthrough. Elliot Anderson drove forward from midfield and played the ball wide to Elliott. Elliott took a touch and, unleashing frustration from his earlier misses, fired a powerful shot past Robin Roefs from a tight angle to give England the lead.
England`s lead was short-lived. After Charlie Cresswell lost control of the ball on the left flank, Noah Ohio, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes and knew Bellingham from their England U16 days, reacted instantly. He struck a brilliant first-time left-footed shot from 40 yards that caught Beadle out of position and sailed into the near post to equalize.
However, Elliott was determined to be the match-winner. He quickly restored England`s lead, showing nimble footwork on the edge of the area to beat Thom van Bergen before firing a left-footed shot past Roefs for his second goal of the game.
Elliot Anderson almost added a third goal, but the biggest cheer came in deep into stoppage time when the Dutch won a corner and sent goalkeeper Roefs forward in desperation. But Beadle confidently claimed the ball, securing England`s passage to the final.
England will face Germany in the final on Saturday, after they defeated France 3-0 in the other semi-final.
Marcus Bellamy