England U19s score four goals in 11 minutes to draw 5-5 against Germany

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Trailing 5-1 to Germany with more than 40 minutes remaining, England were facing humiliation in their European Under-19 Championship game in Bucharest.

The 2022 champions looked down and out when they went in at half-time 4-1 behind.

And it got even worse when Said El Mala added a fifth three minutes into the second-half - before one of the great England comebacks.

In the space of 11 extraordinary minutes, the Young Lions - managed by former Crystal Palace and Luton defender Will Antwi - went from losing 5-1 to drawing 5-5 in Romania's capital.

The scoreboard inside the ground reads Germany 5-5 EnglandGetty Images

This was the highest-scoring game in the tournament's history

Four goals in 11 minutes - Young Lions stun Germany

Manchester United's Ethan Wheatley tapped in after a corner to make it 5-2 in the 52nd minute before a shot by Tottenham's Reiss Russell-Denny three minutes later reduced the deficit further.

The fightback continued when Nottingham Forest's Zach Abbott headed home from a 60th-minute corner.

And the crowd inside the Arcul de Triumf Stadium could hardly believe what they were seeing when Jesse Derry of Crystal Palace - son of former Eagles captain Shaun - equalised three minutes later after goalkeeper Konstantin Heide had spilled a cross from Kadan Young.

Jesse Derry celebrates scoring England's equaliser against Germany in an epic game with Germany at the European Under-19 ChampionshipGetty Images

Jesse Derry (left) celebrates scoring England's equaliser in an epic game with Germany at the European Under-19 Championship

That goal confirmed the match as the highest-scoring game in the history of the tournament.

Earlier, goals by Noah Darvich and El Mala had given Germany a 2-0 lead before Fulham's Josh King scored England's first.

But the Young Lions looked to be heading for a hiding when Germany found the net three times without reply through Max Moerstedt, Leopold Wurm and El Mala.

Cue an astonishing fightback to leave Germany reeling.

What next?

With the game ending 5-5, England are second in Group B on two points from two games after drawing 2-2 with Norway last Saturday.

They were 2-1 down in that match before Tottenham's 17-year-old winger Mikey Moore equalised from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining.

England's final group game is against leaders the Netherlands, who have six points from two games. That takes place on Friday in Bucharest (18:00 BST kick-off).

At the same time, Germany face Norway in Voluntari. Both teams have one point from two games.

There are eight teams taking part in the tournament, with the top two from two groups of four advancing to the semi-finals which take place on 23 June.

The final takes place at the Rapid-Giulesti Stadium in Bucharest on 26 June.

Ethan Wheatley heads back to his own half moments after scoring England's second goal against Germany at the European Under-19 ChampionshipGetty Images

Ethan Wheatley heads back to his own half moments after scoring England's second goal

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