Ansgar Knauff scores for Germany U21sGetty Images

Ansgar Knauff scored Germany's opening goal as they beat England 2-1

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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.

What information do we collect from this quiz?

Who stood out and who did not?

Samuel Iling-Junior was named in the starting XI for the first time in the tournament and came into the side at left-back.

Knauff was Germany's best player in the opening 45 minutes and registered a goal and an assist, which both came down Iling-Junior's side.

The Aston Villa defender was withdrawn at half-time and Hinshelwood was moved from right-back to take his place.

Iling-Junior was not alone in struggling, with Harvey Elliot and Jonathan Rowe also replaced at half-time after not enjoying their best matches.

Cresswell was again solid for England and had a good header saved in the second half as the Young Lions pushed for an equaliser.

Player of the match

N. Weiper
6.93
11 O. Hutchinson
6.24
18 J. Stansfield
5.88
20 A. Scott
5.82
1 J. Beadle
5.71
8 E. Anderson
5.62
7 T. Fellows
5.61
21 E. Nwaneri
5.45
12 B. Norton-Cuffy
5.40
4 J. Quansah
5.39
16 J. Hinshelwood
5.36
5 C. Cresswell
5.29
19 H. Elliott
5.20
23 T. Morton
5.05
10 J. McAtee
4.93
17 S. Iling-Junior
4.88
9 J. Rowe
4.52
Back to team tabs

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

The standout stats

England had 18 shots compared to Germany's five but could only manage five on target. Germany scored with both of their efforts on target.

What's next for these teams?

England will take on Spain in Trnava on Saturday and Germany will play Italy on Sunday as both look to secure their place in the semi-finals.

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