Harvey Elliott double sees England beat Netherlands, reach Euros U21 final

Updated: Jun 25, 2025, 04:58 pm

Two goals from Harvey Elliott helped England book their place in the final of the UEFA  European Under-21Championship with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Wednesday.

England will now play Germany in the final as they look to retain the title they won in 2023. 

The defending champions ultimately out muscled the Dutch and controlled the majority of the game in Bratislava, Slovakia, to reach another final.

England started fast and had the better of the early chances with Liverpool midfielder Elliott forcing Netherlands goalkeeper Robin Roefs into two great saves.

The Netherlands weathered the storm and got a hold on the game, but neither side could score in the opening 45 minutes.

Harvey Elliott scored twice for England against the Netherlands.
Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Elliott kept persisting and was rewarded, giving England the lead in the 62nd minute.

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson pushed forward from midfield before finding Elliott who finally beat Roefs with a thunderous strike to put his side 1-0 up.

The Netherlands remained composed and found a way back into the game through substitute Noah Ohio, who caught England goalkeeper James Beadle off his line from 40 yards out.

Ohio took the ball on the left and drove it low and fast to beat Beadle from range.

As England pressed for their second, it was Elliott who took his moment, with a brilliant solo effort, breezing pas the Dutch defence to force his way into the middle of the box before unleashing a shot with his left foot to beat Roefs again.

Lee Carsley's side saw out the rest of the match to set up the clash with Germany, who beat France 3-0 in the day's second semifinal.