U21 Euro 2025 final recap - England beat Germany in European Championship thriller as Jonathan Rowe's extra-time header completes title defence

England completed a successful defence of their European Under-21 Championship title defence, as Jonathan Rowe's extra-time header sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Germany.

The Young Lions were pegged back having led 2-0 in Bratislava through Harvey Elliott and Omari Hutchinson, with Nelson Weiper and Paul Nebel levelling the final.

However, substitute Rowe headed in what proved to be the winner in the 92nd minute as Lee Carsley's side became the first nation to defend this title on separate occasions.

The defending champions made a bright start and were rewarded after just five minutes. Germany failed to clear after Noah Atubolu denied Hutchinson, and Elliott confidently swept into the bottom corner.

James McAtee and Jay Stansfield went close before England doubled their advantage in the 24th minute. McAtee latched onto Elliott's dinked pass and did well to retain possession before teeing up Hutchinson, who drilled home through Atubolu's legs.

However, their lead was slashed in half just before the break, as Nebel's cross was powerfully headed beyond James Beadle by Weiper.

Germany then equalised on the hour mark when a deep corner fell kindly for Nebel, whose shot nestled in the top corner via a slight Stansfield deflection.

Antonio Di Salvo's side almost completed the turnaround in stoppage time, but Nebel saw another deflected strike crash against the crossbar, with the contest heading into extra-time.

It was there that, with only his third touch of the ball, Lowe sprung the offside trap to meet Tyler Morton's deep cross, and plant a header firmly beyond Atubolu's reach.

England had to defend deep as the clock ticked down and the woodwork came to their rescue again in stoppage time, with Merlin Rohl's fierce volley denied by the crossbar, as they held out for an historic triumph.

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Let's share some reaction from the matchwinner Jonathan Rowe...

"Everyone's exceptional," he said. "From the minute I came into the camp, I could just tell that everyone had the same mindset and all wanted to win. We've done that now and the job's finally finished. We can all celebrate and go back to our clubs.

"I came into the game with the mindset of doing what I could to help the team. I knew, at some point, all of us on the bench would have to come on and make a difference, and push the team over the line."

The England boss is only the fourth coach to oversee successive triumphs in this tournament.

He follows in the footsteps of Dave Sexton, Cesare Maldini and Foppe de Haan.

Lee Carsley's Young Lions stood on the brink of history, and looked well on their way at 2-0 up inside 25 minutes.

However, it was never going to be easy against a German side protecting a 20-match unbeaten streak, and 100 per cent record in this tournament.

Antonio Di Salvo's side halved the deficit just before the break, and completed the comeback on the hour mark, while they were unfortunate not to snatch it at the death when rattling the crossbar.

To their credit, England maintained their composure and struck early in extra-time, before protecting their lead to become the first nation to successfully defend this crown on two separate occasions.

England 3-2 Germany

As the clock ticks into stoppage time, Germany push once again.

The ball breaks kindly for Rohl who, at the second attempt, unleashes a fierce volley that crashes against the crossbar with Beadle beaten.

England have a goal-kick, and they are almost there...

Reitz gets a shot away from a tight angle, but drags it wide of the target.

England have a goal-kick, and that will suit them down to the ground.

Germany have a corner and the clock is ticking.

England must maintain their concentration levels for another couple of minutes.

Beadle takes a little too long resuming the game from a goal-kick, and goes into the book as a result.

Germany look to counter after an England throw deep inside their half.

A long ball to the far post is aimed at Knauff, but Hinshelwood does well to shield him from it.

Di Salvo's side know time is running out as they look for an equaliser.

However, the England defence continues to stand firm.

Germany, who replace Oermann with Wanner, get the ball rolling once more.

They have 15 minutes to save themselves...

England 3-2 Germany

Germany are enjoying plenty of possession as they look to level this final again.

Reitz is found in space just inside the box, but his curling effort from a tight angle is never troubling Beadle.

Germany arrived in this final on a 20-match unbeaten run across all competitions.

Di Salvo's side must find an equaliser at the very least if they are to keep it going here.

Changes for both sides midway through this first half in extra-time.

Egan-Riley and Iling-Junior replace Anderson and Hutchinson for England, while Tresoldi takes Martel's place in the German midfield.

Not a bad way to make your mark in extra-time in a final!

Will that be the decisive moment?

What a substitution and what an impact!

With his first touch of the ball, Rowe springs the offside trap to connect with Morton's superb cross, and plant his header firmly beyond Atubolu.

England are back in front!