England beaten 2-1 by Germany in European Under-21 Championship
Young Lions book spot in quarter-finals despite loss
Germany go through as group winners with 100% record
Knauff & Weiper gave Germans control in first half before Scott consolation
Live Reporting
Michael Emons
How it standspublished at 19:38 British Summer Time 18 June
19:38 BST 18 June
England v Germany (20:00 BST)
Germany are already assured of their place in the quarter-finals, while England need a draw to join them, although a slim defeat may still be enough as long as Slovenia don't thrash Czech Republic.
If England and Slovenia end on level points, the first deciding criteria is head-to-head, but their match ended in a 0-0 draw so it will go to overall goal difference.
England will win the group with a win.
The top two in Group B face the top two in Group A. So Group B winners would face Group A runners-up Italy and Group B runners-up would take on Group A winners Spain.
England's mixed tournamentpublished at 19:30 British Summer Time 18 June
19:30 BST 18 June
England have had a mixed tournament so far at the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia.
The Young Lions began with an impressive win over the Czech Republic...
Image source, Getty Images
...before being frustrated with a goalless draw against Slovenia.
That means England need at least a point against Germany to guarantee their progress into the knockout stages as they look to retain the title they won in 2023.
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.