England beaten but into quarter-finalspublished at 22:16 British Summer Time 18 June
22:16 BST 18 June
FT: England 1-2 Germany
Alex Howell BBC football news reporter at the Nitra Stadium
England progressed to the quarter-finals of the European Under-21 Championship despite being beaten by Germany in their final group-stage match.
Germany were already assured of a quarter-finals place after winning their first two matches and made 11 changes for the game against Lee Carsley's side.
England were trailing after just three minutes when Jarell Quansah was caught out by a ball over the top and Ansgar Knauff controlled brilliantly before drilling a shot into the bottom corner.
Carsley's side dominated possession after falling behind but it was Germany who scored next when Nelson Weiper got between Jack Hinshelwood and Charlie Cresswell to guide a header into the net.
England pulled one back in the second half after excellent work by Omari Hutchinson out wide, with his ball into the area tapped in from close range by Alex Scott.
The Young Lions pushed forward but couldn't find an equaliser, leaving England to finish second in the group and with a quarter-final against group A winners Spain on Saturday.
'Good to score, but disappointed with the result'published at 22:08 British Summer Time 18 June
22:08 BST 18 June
FT: England 1-2 Germany
England
Image source, Getty Images
England's Alex Scott, speaking to Channel 4: "Good to score a goal, but disappointed with the result, and we didn't start well enough.
"The second half completely changed. It freed up James McAtee as a number 10 and something we can build on going into the quarter-finals.
"We work on it everyday in training. It has not clicked in the games, but the quality we have in the team - it is a matter of time when the goal start flying in.
"We are going to recover from this and look into Spain."
What's next?published at 22:01 British Summer Time 18 June
22:01 BST 18 June
FT: England 1-2 Germany
Image source, Getty Images
It's England versus Spain, in a repeat of the 2023 final, in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Germany, who were able to change their entire starting line-up from their win over the Czech Republic, progress with three wins from three and they play Italy in the last eight on Sunday.
England need to improve, but if they win their next three matches will retain the trophy they claimed two years ago.
James McAtee skips past two challenges but can't evade a third as Germany, who have looked comfortable for most of the game, are suddenly under sustained pressure.
The triple substitutions at half-time, plus the two later changes, from Lee Carsley have been effective.
Suddenly it's all England. Charlie Cresswell meets a right-wing corner and powers a header at goal, only for Tjark Ernst to produce great reactions to parry the ball away.
England back in the game with Alex Scott tapping in from close range, but all the credit goes to Ipswich's Omari Hutchinson.
He picks up the ball close to the left touchline, is fast and direct, taking on his man and beating him to get to the byline and then puts the low cross on a plate for Scott, who does the rest.
England progressed to the quarter-finals of the European Under-21 Championship despite being beaten by Germany in their final group-stage match.
Germany were already assured of a quarter-finals place after winning their first two matches and made 11 changes for the game against Lee Carsley's side.
England were trailing after just three minutes when Jarell Quansah was caught out by a ball over the top and Ansgar Knauff controlled brilliantly before drilling a shot into the bottom corner.
Carsley's side dominated possession after falling behind but it was Germany who scored next when Nelson Weiper got between Jack Hinshelwood and Charlie Cresswell to guide a header into the net.
England pulled one back in the second half after excellent work by Omari Hutchinson out wide, with his ball into the area tapped in from close range by Alex Scott.
The Young Lions pushed forward but couldn't find an equaliser, leaving England to finish second in the group and with a quarter-final against group A winners Spain on Saturday.
What's the main talking point?
After picking up four points in their first two matches England were in a strong position in the group.
Carsley made four changes to the side that drew with Slovenia on Sunday and again England dominated the ball but did not cause Germany too many problems.
England are blessed with a number of skilful ball players and they controlled possession but they lacked the runs in behind the Germany defence to finish off their nice build-up play.
They take on an impressive Spain side that topped a group that included Italy, and the Young Lions will need to lift their levels if they hope to make the semi-finals.