England lose to Germany on penalties in Euro U-21 semi-final

Substitute Nathan Redmond saw his penalty saved by Germany keeper Julian Pollersbeck as England crashed out of the Euro U-21 semi-finals 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw over normal and extra-time in Poland.

The young Lions had held the early advantage in the shoot-out when Yannick Gerhardt his penalty saved by Jordan Pickford at 1-1 only for Pollersbeck to do likewise in denying Tammy Abraham from the spot.

Germany converted their next three kicks with Redmond's error denying a brave England side who were probably fortunate to see the match go beyond extra-time.

England had started the stronger team, but fell behind when Davie Selke struck the opener on 35 minutes for the Germans at Stadion Miejski Tychy.

Aidy Boothroyd's side hit back courtesy of efforts from Demarai Gray on 41 minutes and Tammy Abraham nine minutes later.

But Felix Platte levelled with a header on 70 minutes as England were forced to battle to extend the match to extra-time and potentially penalties.

Platte appeared to have struck the winning goal on 79 minutes, but he was deemed to be offside, which looked a marginal call from a linesman.

Boothroyd always maintained that this England team should be targeting winning the whole competition, but on reflection making the semi-finals at a second successive major tournament at this level surely represents progress. After years of being stuck in the European football doldrums, are things finally looking up for the English game?

The Arsenal defender was one of the most experienced players on the pitch and it showed, with Chambers doing more than most to ensure Germany failed to break down the England defence as the pressure built. He played a major role in England’s equalising goal, although lost Selke for Germany’s opener. Overall, Chambers impressed.

England - Pickford 7, Holgate 6, Chambers 8, Mawson 6, Chilwell 7, Ward-Prowse 7, Hughes 8, Chalobah 6, Gray 7, Baker 5, Abraham 6. Subs - Murphy 6, Redmond 5, Iorfa 6, Swift 6.

Germany - Pollersbeck 8, Toljan 8, Stark 6, Kempf 6, Gerhadt 6, Haberer 7, Philipp 6, Meyer 7, Arnold 6, Gnabry 7, Selke 8. Subs - Kohr 5, Kehrer 6, Platte 8, Amiri 6.

9’ BIG ENGLAND CHANCE! That probably should have been the opening goal. Chalabah jumped highest from a corner kick, but he somehow managed to send his header over the bar.

10’ GRAY SHOULD SCORE! That was another glorious chance for England. Hughes slipped through Gray, who had a shot saved by Pollersbeck in the German goal. Huge opportunity.

19’ ANOTHER CHANCE SPURNED! England should be at least 2-0 up by now. This time it's Abraham who gets on the end of a freekick, but he could only head straight at Pollersbeck.

33’ WHAT A MISS! England were cut wide open by Philipp, who beat his man and had a clear goalscoring opportunity, but he gets it all wrong and lashes his strike well over the target.

35’ GOAL! England U21 0-1 Germany U21: There's the opening goal and it had been coming for Germany! Toljan gets to the byline and clips a ball into the area for Selke to attack, and the striker makes no mistake in heading past Pickford.

41’ GOAL! England U21 1-1 Germany U21: There's the equaliser for England and it has come against the run of play! Chambers had two efforts blocked from a corner kick, but Gray was on hand to fire high into the net at the third attempt.

50’ GOAL! England U21 2-1 Germany U21: The turnaround is complete! Great play from Hughes sees the Watford man square a pass into the six yard box for Abraham to finish from a matter of yards out. England have the lead!

70’ GOAL! England U21 2-2 Germany U21: That's a bullet of a header from Platte and Germany have an equaliser! He got to the near post to get on the end of a corner kick delivery and found the net at the near post.

73’ GREAT GERMANY CHANCE! All that was missing was the finish. Philipp was played into the channel, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post. He probably should have scored.

93’ PICKFORD GETS AWAY WITH ONE! The England goalkeeper pushed out a cross into the path of Amiri, but the ball flicked back up and into the arms of Pickford. Phew!

117’ THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE WINNER! How has Amiri managed to miss that? Toljan picked him out at the back post with a low pass, but he failed to make any kind of connection.

PENALTY SAVED! Redmond sees his spot kick saved by Pollersbeck and Germany will progress to the final.

Germany only conceded one goal in the group stages, but conceded twice in this semi final against England.

Davie Selke has been directly involved in more goals (three) than any other German player at the U21 Euros.

Nathaniel Chalobah is the second player to reach 40 caps for England U21s after James Milner.