England U21 vs Germany LIVE!

England threw down the gauntlet to Portugal for the quarter-finals of the European Under-21 Championship with a major statement by brushing aside sorry Germany on Wednesday evening. Lee Carsley’s side continued their perfect start to the tournament in Georgia with a third successive 2-0 victory, having recorded back-to-back wins already over the Czech Republic and Israel.

The Young Lions look one of the favourites to go all the way this summer and ensured the defending champions went home with a whimper, finishing bottom of Group C with only one point and no wins from their three matches after fine first-half goals from Aston Villa forward Cameron Archer and Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott.

Feeble Germany just had to win to stand any chance of reaching the knockout phase, but instead it is Israel who join England in the quarters after they scored a late winner against the Czech Republic to set up a clash with co-hosts and surprise Group A winners Georgia in Tbilisi. Follow England vs Germany reaction at the U21 Euros live below!

England U21 vs Germany U21 highlights

• GOAL! Elliott scores after blistering counter-attack

• GOAL! Archer fires Young Lions ahead early

England stay perfect as Germany crash out

19:03 , George Flood

So England send a statement to Portugal ahead of Sunday afternoon’s quarter-final showdown at the Givi Kiladze Stadium in Kutaisi.

A third straight 2-0 victory to close out Group C means they are still yet to concede a single goal at this tournament, no mean feat considering that they made eight changes in total tonight including three at the back.

For Germany, it’s a humiliating group stage exit just two years after their third title success in Slovenia. They finish bottom of the group with just one point and no wins from their three matches.

Israel held on to beat the Czech Republic by the way, so they go through as runners-up to play co-hosts and surprise Group A winners Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday.

Full-time

18:54 , George Flood

England 2-0 Germany

England 2-0 Germany

18:54 , George Flood

93 mins: The final chance of the game falls for Germany, but it’s a tough header for Ngankam and Trafford makes a comfortable low stop.

England 2-0 Germany

18:52 , George Flood

9,587 is the official attendance tonight in Batumi.

England 2-0 Germany

18:51 , George Flood

90 mins: Germany should score as substitute Ole Becker is perfectly set up by Ngankam, but the shot is deflected by Skipp and tipped away by Trafford.

Into three minutes of stoppage time in Batumi.

England 2-0 Germany

18:48 , George Flood

87 mins: Finally some urgency shown by Germany as we tick towards the 90-minute mark but unfortunately for them it is much too little, much too late.

18:46 , George Flood

There’s been a key late goal in the other closing Group C contest in Kutaisi, where Israel now lead the Czech Republic 1-0 thanks to Omri Gandelman.

So they are now heading through as runners-up to face Georgia in the quarter-finals as things stand...

England 2-0 Germany

18:43 , George Flood

81 mins: Stiller collided with the referee a few moments ago and now fires a decent free-kick chance into the stands.

Germany’s latest change with less than 10 minutes to go sees Keitel replaced by Finn Ole Becker.

England 2-0 Germany

18:39 , George Flood

79 mins: The confident Gordon twists and turns on the edge of the Germany box before unleashing a powerful drive that whistles over the crossbar.

It would be unfair on England if this ends only 2-0. Not an accurate reflection of their utter dominance and plentiful chances.

England 2-0 Germany

18:38 , George Flood

77 mins: Another chance for an England third!

Elliott picks out Smith Rowe, who in turn tees up fellow substitute Garner for a low strike.

Did Netz get a block on that to divert it wide?

England 2-0 Germany

18:37 , George Flood

75 mins: 15 minutes to go in Batumi and a deep right-wing cross from Fischer is easy meat for ‘keeper Trafford inside the England box.

Germany have been so, so poor in this second half.

England 2-0 Germany

18:35 , George Flood

73 mins: The referee stops the game to march over to the touchline and show a yellow card to England assistant Ashley Cole.

The Chelsea legend has obviously had too much to say for himself in this second half.

England 2-0 Germany

18:29 , George Flood

69 mins: It gets no easier for Germany as Lee Carsley sends for Anthony Gordon now.

Off goes Cameron Archer. Does his early exit here mean that he is in line to start against Portugal in the quarter-finals on Sunday?

Carsley has some key selection decisions to make for that clash.

England 2-0 Germany

18:28 , George Flood

66 mins: Embarrassingly easy for England at the moment.

They are being put under no pressure whatsoever as they pass the ball around at will and hunt further goals.

Germany replace Weißhaupt and Weiper with Ngankam and Alidou.

England 2-0 Germany

18:26 , George Flood

63 mins: Woeful again from Germany and a careless blunder from Freiburg goalkeeper Atubolu almosts presents another golden opportunity to the rampant Young Lions.

Jessic Ngankam and Faride Alidou are about to come on for Germany.

England 2-0 Germany

18:23 , George Flood

60 mins: Ever-so-slightly more will from Germany as we tick past the hour mark, but all their attacks just fizzle out so tamely - this time Fischer’s ball deflecting hopelessly wide off Krauß.

At the other end, Archer and Smith Rowe combine well for England inside the box and there’s then a handball shout against Krauß in the box from the resulting corner. Nothing given.

Skipp now has the captain’s armband for England after Ramsey went off.

England 2-0 Germany

18:18 , George Flood

57 mins: Elliott is nearly in again before a triple change from England.

Madueke, Johnson and Ramsey are replaced by Emile Smith Rowe, Max Aarons and James Garner.

England 2-0 Germany

18:16 , George Flood

55 mins: England almost get in behind twice more, with Germany’s defence like statues.

Antonio Di Salvo will be livid with what he’s seeing here, his side have been even worse since the interval.

Changes are imminent on the touchline.

England 2-0 Germany

18:13 , George Flood

53 mins: England look far likelier to score still as Madueke poses a threat again and Johnson cuts back for Elliott, whose fierce strike is tipped over by Atubolu.

England 2-0 Germany

18:11 , George Flood

50 mins: This is all so disappointing from Germany, lethargic and disinterested.

Their final ball is woeful.

England 2-0 Germany

18:08 , George Flood

48 mins: England are absolutely dominating possession early in the second period.

Where is the urgency from Germany?

Goalkeeper Atubolu almosts gifts the Young Lions another key chance.

The defending champions are on track to finish bottom of the group.

England 2-0 Germany

18:04 , George Flood

The players are back out and the second half is underway in Batumi.

Germany make one half-time change, with Matriciani off after picking up a knock and being run ragged by Madueke.

On comes Luca Netz of Borussia Monchengladbach.

No subs from England just yet.

17:55 , George Flood

It’s goalless at half-time in tonight’s other game in Group C between the Czech Republic and Israel in Kutaisi.

So as it stands, the Czechs will be joining England in the quarter-finals, facing co-hosts and surprise Group A winners Georgia in the capital Tbilisi in the first last-eight affair on Saturday.

England, as we know, are already assured a clash with Portugal in Kutaisi on Sunday.

Half-time

17:49 , George Flood

England 2-0 Germany

Lee Carsley’s Young Lions are well on track for another statement win in Batumi, thanks to excellent first-half goals from Cameron Archer and Harvey Elliott.

It could and should be worse for Germany, who surely need a miracle now to make the quarter-finals.

A crisis for the defending champions.

17:48 , George Flood

47 mins: A fingertip save from Trafford!

Brentford’s Schade blasts past Branthwaite with serious pace before a low strike is just tipped wide by the England goalkeeper.

Somehow a goal kick is given. Excellent stop from the Manchester City youngster.

England 2-0 Germany

17:47 , George Flood

45 mins: A lull to the game now as we enter two minutes of additional time at the end of the first half.

England in cruise control as things stand, and Germany heading home.

England 2-0 Germany

17:44 , George Flood

41 mins: Germany are under siege again, with Madueke causing all sorts of problems.

He provides a tough ball for Archer, whose effort is blocked by Bisseck before a follow-up shot from Palmer is seen off by Krauß.

10 attempts for England in this first half, six of which have been on target.

England 2-0 Germany

17:42 , George Flood

40 mins: Confusion inside the England box after a cross from the right from German substitute Fischer.

The ball flashes past Branthwaite before Krauß tries to help it goalwards under pressure from Cresswell.

A goal kick is eventually given.

England 2-0 Germany

17:39 , George Flood

37 mins: After Germany’s latest attack breaks down, dangerous and fleet-footed England scythe forward on the counter once more.

Germany are at sixes and sevens at the back again, with Archer forcing a strong parry from Atubolu.

This could easily be four or five already.

England 2-0 Germany

17:37 , George Flood

35 mins: Matriciani is now down for Germany.

What a wretched first half this has been for them.

He’s fine to continue for now.

England 2-0 Germany

17:36 , George Flood

33 mins: Wonderful feet from Madueke to beat Henning Matriciani all ends up inside the box.

Only another stellar block from Germany captain Bisseck prevents England from scoring again.

At the other end, Angelo Stiller had easily beaten Charlie Cresswell in the air with a great flick-on, but Jarrad Branthwaite - making his U21 debut here - showed great determination to battle with Weiper and snuff out the danger.

England 2-0 Germany

17:33 , George Flood

29 mins: A crunching but fair challenge from Tottenham’s Oliver Skipp in the middle of the park leaves Schade in a heap.

England are maintaining their discipline at the back despite those eight changes, but Germany are seeing a lot of possession now as they desperately search for a route back into this game and the tournament.

Trafford is equal to a deflected effort from inside the box from Schade.

England 2-0 Germany

17:29 , George Flood

26 mins: England are in again through Chelsea’s Madueke after a great pass from Ben Johnson, but Germany captain Bisseck gets back to make an important sliding block as he shaped to shoot on goal.

Germany are so, so open here.

The defending champions need at least three goals now to avoid an embarrassing early exit from the tournament.

England 2-0 Germany

17:27 , George Flood

23 mins: That’s a fine save from Trafford, who tips behind a Schade header after the Brentford forward had connected with a cross from Yannik Keitel.

GOAL! England 2-0 Germany | Harvey Elliott 21'

17:23 , George Flood

21 mins: A blistering counter-attack!

It’s superb from Liverpool midfielder Elliott, who charges from the halfway line and leaves Dardai in his wake before finishing wonderfully beyond Atubolu and a sliding Bisseck. Absolutely lethal!

Germany had been pressing before that, with Trafford denying substitute Fischer.

That was Elliott’s first goal for the U21s.

England 1-0 Germany

17:21 , George Flood

19 mins: Danger for England now as Germany manage to sustain some attacking pressure and Schade’s cross from the right is missed by Weiper, who then inadvertently blocks behind an effort from team-mate Noah Weißhaupt.

I think James Trafford had that covered anyway in the England goal, in fairness.

England 1-0 Germany

17:20 , George Flood

17 mins: This is just too easy for England at times, with a nice scooped ball from Cole Palmer towards Harvey Elliott crucially headed away.

The Young Lions come again though, with Palmer and Archer combining to tee up Ramsey, whose tame low effort is easily stopped by Atubolu.

Three key chances already for Ramsey inside 20 minutes in Batumi.

England 1-0 Germany

17:18 , George Flood

15 mins: Fischer is already heavily involved for Germany as they look to exploit that right flank, trying to set up Nelson Weiper and Brentford’s Kevin Schade.

But England are defending doggedly for the most part, with the likes of Madueke getting back to offer protection to a much-changed backline.

England 1-0 Germany

17:15 , George Flood

13 mins: More misery for Germany now with Stuttgart defender Vagnoman down and signalling immediately that he needs to come off.

Wolfsburg’s Kilian Fischer is quickly on in his place.

A hugely worrying start for German boss Antonio Di Salvo as England get a pep talk from Lee Carsley and Ashley Cole during the delay.

England 1-0 Germany

17:13 , George Flood

11 mins: There are better flashes from Germany here, but they are being tormented by Ramsey.

He looks like scoring or creating a great chance nearly every time he gets forward.

The Aston Villa midfielder is having a super tournament so far.

England 1-0 Germany

17:12 , George Flood

9 mins: Chances at both ends!

Germany get round the back of the England defence - still yet to concede a single goal at this tournament - for the first time tonight but Tom Krauß cannot beat Trafford with his shot from a difficult angle.

At the other end, it’s more silky football from the Young Lions, with Ramsey shifting the ball onto his stronger foot and bamboozling Josha Vagnoman before rifling a low shot agonisingly wide of the far post.

That should have been 2-0 England inside 10 minutes!

England 1-0 Germany

17:10 , George Flood

6 mins: England are straight back on the front foot, Madueke playing a dangerous ball across the six-yard box from the byline... but the ball had gone out and play is brought back.

Ramsey looks to play another dangerous pass into the box but it’s overhit on this occasion.

GOAL! England 1-0 Germany | Cameron Archer 4'

17:05 , George Flood

4 mins: The Young Lions are ahead inside four minutes in Batumi!

They patiently pass the ball around at the back with zero pressure from Germany, before springing forward in lethal fashion.

Ramsey plays a fine through ball for Archer, who runs onto it, loses the defender before opening up his body and guiding the ball beautifully into the bottom corner.

Disaster for Germany. A goal made in Aston Villa!

England 0-0 Germany

17:03 , George Flood

2 mins: Early pressure from England, who are straight into attack mode.

A fine through ball picks out Cameron Archer, whose low drive is turned behind at his near post by German goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.

Ramsey’s looping header from the resulting corner is easily gathered.

KICK-OFF

17:02 , George Flood

Captains Jacob Ramsey and Yann Bisseck exchange pennants and shake hands with the officiating team, led by tonight’s referee from Azerbaijan, Aliyar Aghayev.

Both sides engage in a pre-match huddle, and we’re underway!

A reminder - England are already through to a Sunday quarter-final with Portugal as Group C winners, but Germany must win here and hope that Israel beat the Czech Republic in Kutaisi.

Then it will come down to goal difference between Germany and Israel to see who advances as runners-up to meet surprise Group A winners Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday.

16:56 , George Flood

The teams are out at the Batumi Arena, where it’s still around 24 degrees at almost 8pm, and it’s time for the national anthems.

Germany up first, followed by God Save the King.

Germany’s qualification hopes on a knife edge

16:53 , George Flood

It’s a testament to how poorly defending champions Germany have started this tournament that victory over England this evening still might not be enough to see them through to the quarter-finals.

The Czech Republic are currently in the driving seat for that runners-up spot in Group C and take on Israel in Kutaisi shortly.

Just a point would be enough to take them through to face co-hosts Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday, even if Germany beat the Young Lions.

16:38 , George Flood

Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is handed the captain’s armband for England in Batumi this evening.

Just over 20 minutes to go until kick-off....

Germany change three with key double absence

16:27 , George Flood

Germany show three changes from the side beaten by a late winner from the Czech Republic in their last outing on Sunday.

Marton Dardai, Nelson Weiper and Noah Weißhaupt replace Luca Netz, Denis Huseinbasic and Jessic Ngankam.

Kenneth Schmidt and Youssoufa Moukoko both miss the must-win clash through injury.

Germany team news

16:19 , George Flood

Starting XI: Atubolu, Vagnoman, Bisseck, Dardai, Matriciani, Krauß, Keitel, Stiller, Schade, Weiper, Weißhaupt

England make eight changes

16:15 , George Flood

So Lee Carsley rings the changes as expected with England safely through to the quarter-finals and already assured of top spot in Group C.

He makes eight in total, with only Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, West Ham right-back Ben Johnson and Chelsea forward Noni Madueke retaining their starting berths from the 2-0 win over Israel on Sunday.

The likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Anthony Gordon drop to the bench, where Max Aarons also sits after illness.

Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer leads the line.

England team news

15:53 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Trafford, Johnson, Branthwaite, Cresswell, Thomas, Elliott, Skipp, Ramsey, Palmer, Madueke, Archer

Subs: Aarons, Colwill, Harwood-Bellis, Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe, Gordon, Griffiths, Garner, Jones, Doyle, Gomes, Rushworth

Carsley: More to come from England

15:32 , Matt Verri

Lee Carsley believes there is still plenty more to come from his England side, even with their impressive start to the tournament.

“The result was really important for us, we spoke about it beforehand, making sure we performed and we spoke about mentality and having that ability to find a way to win,” the England boss said after the win over Israel.

“We knew it would be a tough game, Israel don’t score many goals but don’t concede many either. It was a good performance, but there is a lot more to come from this team.”

How it stands in Group C...

15:20 , Matt Verri

Two matches, two wins and England are already through to the quarter-finals.

It’s a far more stressful picture for defending champions Germany, who have picked up just one point from their opening two games of the tournament.

They must win tonight to keep their hopes of making it through to the knockout stages alive, but even that might not be enough. Should the Czech Republic avoid defeat against Israel this evening, Germany will be out.

Standard Sport prediction

15:09 , Matt Verri

Much will depend on England’s mindset with qualification to the knockout stages already secured, while motivation for Germany could not be higher.

However, the Young Lions have been impressive so far in the tournament, in direct contrast to the defending champions, and on current form are good enough to extend their winning run and make a real statement.

England to win, 2-0.

England U21 team news

15:00 , Matt Verri

England U21 are set for their biggest test yet at Euro 2023 with a meeting against Germany.

Safe passage into the knockout rounds has been secured but England can yet make a further statement by beating their rivals.

Carsley could look to rotate given England’s strong position with the only slight fitness concern being Norwich City defender Max Aarons. He missed the win over Israel through illness and is the only player heading into the game with an element of doubt.

Emile Smith Rowe and Anthony Gordon have been operating in a fluid frontline for the tournament so far but Aston Villa’s Cameron Archer could play as a recognised central option.

England U21 vs Germany predicted lineup: Rushworth; Aarons, Harwood-Bellis, Branthwaite, Thomas; Skipp, Ramsey, Elliott, Palmer, Smith-Rowe, Archer

How to watch England U21 vs Germany

14:49 , Matt Verri

TV channel and live stream: The game will not be shown live on television in the UK. However, coverage is available online via a live stream on the official Uefa website.

Live blog: You can also follow all the action right here with us!

Good afternoon!

13:53 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of England’s U21 Euro 2023 group stage game against Germany later on.

Qualification from Group C is already secured for the Young Lions, after two wins from two so far, and now they have the chance to knock out the defending champions.

Kick-off from the Batumi Arena in Tiblisi is at 5pm BST.