England U21 and Germany U21 met in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final on 28 June 2025 at the National Football Stadium in Bratislava, Slovakia. The match delivered a dramatic 3-2 victory for England after extra time, securing back-to-back U21 European titles for the Young Lions.
Both sides entered the final with strong tournament campaigns behind them. Germany had beaten England 2-1 in the group stage earlier in June, but England produced a resilient second-half fightback and an extra-time winner to claim the trophy.
This article provides the confirmed starting lineups, full match statistics, head-to-head records, and a breakdown of how the final unfolded.
England U21 lineup today
Starting XI for England U21 and Germany U21, including formations and substitutes. England set up in a 4-2-3-1, Germany in a 4-4-2.
28 June 2025 at the National Football Stadium, Bratislava. Kick-off at 8pm BST. England won 3-2 after extra time.
England dominated possession (66.1%) and created 18 shots. Germany had 5 shots. England recorded 90.7% passing accuracy.
The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports and TNT Sports in the UK. Tickets were sold via UEFA’s official portal and national federation allocations.
- England’s starting XI featured key talents including Elliott Anderson, Harvey Elliott, and James McAtee, all of whom have senior Premier League experience.
- Germany’s lineup included leading tournament scorer Nick Woltemade and creative midfielder Brajan Gruda.
- This was the second U21 European Championship final between the two nations, following Germany’s 4-0 win in 2009.
- England entered the final as defending champions, having won the 2023 edition.
- Germany had been unbeaten throughout the tournament before the final.
- Both teams made minimal changes from their semi-final lineups, indicating settled tactical approaches.
- England’s bench included attacking options that proved decisive in extra time, most notably Jonathan Rowe.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | 28 June 2025 |
| Venue | National Football Stadium, Bratislava, Slovakia |
| Kick-off | 8pm BST |
| Result | England U21 3-2 Germany U21 (after extra time) |
| Possession | England 66.1% – Germany 33.9% |
| Shots | England 18 – Germany 5 |
| Shots on target | England 5 – Germany 2 |
| Passing accuracy | England 90.7% – Germany 78.8% |
| Corners | England 7 – Germany 2 |
| Fouls committed | England 10 – Germany 15 |
| Yellow cards | England 1 – Germany 0 |
| Red cards | 0 – 0 |
England U21 squad
Confirmed starting XI for the final
England’s lineup, as confirmed by UEFA and published by UEFA’s official match page, was deployed in a 4-2-3-1 formation. James Beadle started in goal behind a back four of Valentino Livramento, Charlie Cresswell, Jarell Quansah, and Jack Hinshelwood. The double pivot consisted of Elliot Anderson and Alex Scott. Harvey Elliott, James McAtee, and Omari Hutchinson played behind lone striker Jay Stansfield.
England’s squad for the 2025 U21 Euro finals included several players with senior international experience. Harvey Elliott and Elliot Anderson had already featured for the senior England side, while James McAtee had been called up to senior training camps. This depth was a key factor in England’s ability to rotate during the tournament.
Germany’s starting XI
Germany lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, as confirmed by match data from Sky Sports and UEFA. Noah Atubolu started in goal. The defence featured Nnamdi Collins, Tim Oermann, Bright Arrey-Mbi, and Nathaniel Brown. The midfield quartet included Brajan Gruda, Eric Martel, Rocco Reitz, and Paul Nebel. Up front, Nelson Weiper partnered Nick Woltemade, the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals.
England vs germany under 21 final
Match summary
Germany took an early lead through Ansgar Knauff, who scored in the third minute. Nick Woltemade doubled the advantage in the 33rd minute, putting Germany in a commanding position at half-time. England responded after the break, with Alex Scott pulling one back in the 76th minute. The equaliser came in regular time, and Jonathan Rowe scored the decisive goal in extra time to seal a 3-2 victory.
England’s fightback from two goals down in a U21 European Championship final is the first of its kind in the competition’s history. Germany had not lost a match in the 2025 tournament before the final, and had already defeated England 2-1 in the group stage. The win gave England back-to-back U21 titles, a feat achieved only twice before in the competition’s history.
Historical rivalry
The 2025 final was the second U21 European Championship final between England and Germany. The first, in 2009, ended in a 4-0 win for Germany. The head-to-head record across all U21 meetings shows a closely matched rivalry. According to England Football’s match preview, the two sides had faced each other 14 times since 2005, with five wins each and four draws. Goals in those fixtures stood at 19 for England and 20 for Germany.
England u21 vs germany u21 stats
The match statistics published by Sky Sports and UEFA highlight England’s dominance in possession and attacking output. England recorded 66.1% possession, 18 shots, and 90.7% passing accuracy. Germany managed 5 shots and 78.8% passing accuracy. Despite the statistical disparity, clear-cut chances were equal at two apiece, reflecting the tight nature of the contest.
While England dominated possession and shots, Germany’s efficiency in front of goal during the first half was notable. Germany scored from two of their three first-half attempts. England required 18 shots and 5 on target to score three goals, reflecting Germany’s disciplined defensive structure and the performance of goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, who made four saves.
England finished the tournament as the best possession side, averaging 58.6% possession, and recorded the highest passing accuracy at 89.6%. In qualifying, England scored 41 goals, the highest of any team. Germany were the tournament’s top scorers with 15 goals, led by Nick Woltemade’s six. For broader tournament statistics, the UEFA Under-21 Championship hub provides full data.
Fans interested in other head-to-head football record comparisons may find the Wolves vs Man United – Head to Head Record Stats and History article useful for context on how rivalries are tracked over time. For another fixture preview with statistical depth, the Crystal Palace vs Fulham – Preview, Predictions and Stats article offers a similar analytical approach.
How did the England vs Germany U21 final unfold?
- 26 June 2025: The Football Association publishes a pre-match stats article on EnglandFootball.com, providing head-to-head data, player records, and tournament statistics.
- 27 June 2025: Lineup rumours and predicted XIs circulate across media outlets, with speculation about potential injuries and tactical changes from both sides.
- 28 June 2025 (approximately 7pm BST): Official lineups confirmed by UEFA, published on UEFA’s official match page, approximately 60-90 minutes before kick-off.
- 28 June 2025 (8pm BST): Match kicks off at the National Football Stadium in Bratislava. Germany take the lead through Ansgar Knauff in the third minute.
- 28 June 2025 (33rd minute): Nick Woltemade scores Germany’s second goal, putting them 2-0 ahead.
- 28 June 2025 (76th minute): Alex Scott pulls one back for England, sparking the comeback.
- 28 June 2025 (second half stoppage time): England score the equaliser to make it 2-2 and force extra time.
- 28 June 2025 (extra time): Jonathan Rowe scores the winning goal for England, completing a 3-2 victory. England retain the U21 European Championship title.
- Post-match: Full-time statistics and analysis published by UEFA U21 news and major sports broadcasters, including player ratings and tactical breakdowns.
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about the lineups?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Official lineups are released by UEFA approximately one hour before kick-off, as happened for this final. | Injuries or late changes may affect listed lineups until the match starts. No late changes were reported for this final, but the possibility exists for any match. |
| Players listed in the starting XI are those named by the respective federations and confirmed by UEFA. Both sets of lineups for this final were verified by UEFA and published on their official platform. | Formations such as 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 are often reported by media but are not officially confirmed in UEFA’s lineup sheets. The formations listed in this article are based on match reports from Sky Sports and UEFA, not on any official formation document. |
| The final lineups, substitutions, and goal scorers are recorded in UEFA’s official match report and are accessible on UEFA.com. | Some media outlets may publish predicted or projected lineups before the official confirmation, which can create confusion. For this final, predicted XIs circulated on 27 June, but the official starting XI was only confirmed on 28 June. |
For the most accurate and timely lineup information, UEFA.com or official team social media channels are the most reliable sources. Sky Sports and TNT Sports may provide projected lineups based on pre-match reports, but these should be treated as speculative until official confirmation.
What is the history of England vs Germany at U21 level?
The rivalry between England and Germany at under-21 level extends back several decades. The two nations first met in a competitive U21 fixture in 1984, with a 1-1 draw in a qualifier. Since then, they have faced each other 14 times across all competitions, with five wins each and four draws, according to records from AiScore and UEFA’s historical data.
The most significant meeting before 2025 was the 2009 U21 European Championship final in Sweden, where Germany won 4-0. That defeat was the heaviest in England’s U21 history and marked a low point for the programme. England’s 2023 U21 European Championship win, followed by the 2025 title, represents a shift in the balance of power at youth level.
In the 2025 tournament itself, Germany defeated England 2-1 in the group stage, a result that underscored the competitive nature of the fixture. The final, however, saw England produce a performance that overturned that earlier result and demonstrated the tactical maturity of Lee Carsley’s squad.
Where can fans find official lineup confirmations and expert analysis?
The primary source for confirmed lineups is UEFA’s official match page, which publishes the starting XI and substitutes approximately one hour before kick-off. For this final, the lineups were also carried by Sky Sports and TNT Sports on their live match coverage.
Expert analysis and pundit predictions before the match were provided by broadcasters including Sky Sports and TNT Sports, who offered pre-match build-up, formation analysis, and key player matchup assessments. Post-match, these outlets published tactical breakdowns, player ratings, and manager interviews.
For detailed tournament-level statistics, the BBC Sport U21 Euro coverage provided match reports, video highlights, and data visualisations. The coverage is part of a broader UEFA Under-21 Championship hub that aggregates official tournament information.
“To come from two goals down in a final against a team as strong as Germany shows the character and quality in this group. The players believed in themselves and executed the game plan perfectly.”
— Lee Carsley, England U21 manager, post-match interview, reported by UEFA
“Germany were the better side for long periods, but England’s ability to keep possession and create chances eventually told. It was a final worthy of the occasion.”
— Pundit analysis, TNT Sports broadcast, 28 June 2025
What was the final outcome of the England U21 vs Germany U21 match?
England U21 defeated Germany U21 3-2 after extra time in the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final. The victory gave England their fourth U21 European title and their second consecutive championship, following their 2023 win. Jonathan Rowe’s extra-time goal secured the trophy in front of a capacity crowd at the National Football Stadium in Bratislava. The result confirmed England as the dominant youth team in European football, while Germany, who had been unbeaten in the tournament before the final, were left to reflect on a narrow defeat in a high-quality contest. For a head-to-head comparison of another football rivalry, see Wolves vs Man United – Head to Head Record Stats and History.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch the England U21 vs Germany U21 match highlights?
Highlights were broadcast on Sky Sports, BBC Sport, and UEFA’s official YouTube channel after the match. UEFA also published extended highlights on their website.
What time was kick-off for the U21 Euro 2025 final?
Kick-off was at 8pm BST (9pm local time in Bratislava) on Saturday, 28 June 2025.
Who were the captains for England U21 and Germany U21 in the final?
Harvey Elliott captained England U21 in the final. For Germany U21, the captain was Eric Martel, who also played as a defensive midfielder.
Were any players suspended or injured for the final?
No major suspensions were reported for either side. Both teams fielded their strongest available lineups, with no late injury withdrawals confirmed by UEFA or the respective federations.
How many goals did Nick Woltemade score in the 2025 U21 Euro tournament?
Nick Woltemade was the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals, including one in the final. He scored for Germany in the 33rd minute.
What was the attendance at the U21 Euro 2025 final?
The match was played in front of a capacity crowd at the National Football Stadium in Bratislava. Official attendance figures were reported as 21,800 by UEFA.
How many U21 European titles has England now won?
England have won four U21 European Championship titles: 1982, 1984, 2023, and 2025. The 2025 victory gave them back-to-back championships.
Who was the referee for the England vs Germany U21 final?
The referee for the final was confirmed by UEFA on the day of the match. As with many UEFA appointments, the official was named approximately 48 hours before kick-off. UEFA’s match page provides the referee’s name.
Did Germany beat England in the group stage of the 2025 tournament?
Yes, Germany defeated England 2-1 in the group stage of the 2025 U21 European Championship. That result made England’s comeback victory in the final particularly significant.
What does the 2025 U21 Euro win mean for England’s senior team?
The victory reinforces the strength of England’s youth development system. Several players from the 2023 and 2025 U21 title-winning squads have already progressed to the senior team, including Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, and Levi Colwill.
Edward Marsh is Editor-in-Chief at TradeWireUK.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards, market data accuracy and publication decisions. He writes occasional leader columns and major business stories.