ENGLAND’S understudies proved themselves as good as the team’s main acts by sending Germany packing in style.
Cameron Archer and Harvey Elliott, two of eight players brought in by boss Lee Carsley with a quarter-final tie against Portugal already assured, netted killer first-half goals.
It was enough to ensure the Germans went home at the group stage – which means Carsley’s side cannot face them in the semi-finals, should they get that far.
Not that they would have been anything to fear on this evidence.
England looked just as in sync as they had done in the 2-0 wins over the Czechs and Israel, despite the changes.
And the Germans, shorn of injured Borussia Dortmund wunderkind Youssoufa Moukoko, were no match for the likes of Noni Madueke, Elliott and Cole Palmer.
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Angel Gomes, Curtis Jones, Emile Smith Rowe, Levi Colwill and Anthony Gordon had all been pivotal to seeing England top Group C after just two games but were benched here.
Archer, the squad’s only natural centre-forward, should have put the Young Lions a goal up inside the first minute when played through by Noni Madueke but could not beat the keeper.
But by five minutes the Aston Villa youngster had his goal – his fifth in eight Under-21 appearances – as he gobbled up a defence-splitting pass from club-mate Jacob Ramsey.
England were enjoying themselves – Palmer’s cheeky nutmeg to spark an attack suggested as much – and were two up soon after.
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Liverpool kid Elliott has had to wait his turn at this tournament but he scored a glorious second, dribbling the ball from the halfway line and firing into the corner from the edge of the area.
It was set up by a rapid throw-out by goalie James Trafford, whose stock must be skyrocketing with every game this tournament given he has been fantastic.
Germany were distinctly second best but, in a warning to England as they progress further in the tournament, still had their chances.
But nothing seemed to go for them – summing up their miserable tournament – with either Trafford pulling off a smart save or a shot cannoning into a team-mate.
The second half was pretty much a non-event, barring Elliott being denied by a tip-top save and Carsley’s assistant Ashley Cole being booked for moaning at the fourth official.
England have three days to prepare for Portugal – compared to just the two in between group games.
No doubt they will be swotting up on dangermen Andre Almeida and Pedro Neto.
Plus their manager Rui Jorge, who was an unused sub for both Portugal seniors’ heartbreaking victories over England at Euro 2000 and Euro 2004.
Yet with such strength in depth, Jorge will have a much tougher task of prepping for England – not least which players Carsley will pick.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
