Izuchukwu OkosiEngland U-21 national side beat Netherlands 2-1 to reach the final of the 2025 European U-21 Championship in Slovakia and a chance to defend the title they won two years ago.
Liverpool forward Harvey Elliot scored both goals for England in the semifinals contest although he had a tough time of it breaking down the Dutch defence.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelElliot was denied on two occasions by the ‘oranje’ goalkeeper Robin Roefs in the first half as the young Lions struggled in the heat.
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Former Chelsea left back Ian Maatsen who plays for Austin Villa currently saw an effort saved by the English goalkeeper James Beadle.
Elliot however was on the score sheet in the 62nd minute when he rifled in front an acute angle for his third goal of the tournament.
Noah Ohio for the equaliser for the Dutch side when he pounced on an error by Charlie Cresswell.
Elliot then made sure that the passage to the final was secured five minutes to the end of the game when he drilled into the corner from the edge of the box.
Both teams had 50% of the ball, England’s passing accuracy was 90% to the Netherlands’ 87%.
The Dutch completed 13 more passes (385-372), and England’s ball recoveries of 32 were just two more than their opponents, but they had double the attempts at goal (12).
England will stay in Bratislava for another few nights before Saturday’s final against France or Germany, while the Netherlands head home after the defeat in Slovakia.
Player of the match award was handed to Harvey Elliot.
The left sided wingers may draw the attention of suitors across Europe as he is currently under the shadows of Egypt forward Mohamed Salah.
From an Anglo-Nigerian perspective, Super Eagles eligible forward Ethan Nwaneri has not particularly had a good tournament in Slovakia.
England beat Spain in the final of the previous edition in 2023.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
