A stunning brace from Harvey Elliott sent England U21 into the final of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025, as the Young Lions overcame the Netherlands in a tense semi-final showdown in Slovakia.

The Liverpool midfielder, already seasoned beyond his years, reminded everyone of his class and composure under pressure. Elliott, 22, netted three goals for the Reds in last season’s Champions League, including a crucial winner in Paris. Though often used as a squad rotation player at club level, he has seized his international opportunity with both hands — and now trails only Germany’s Nick Woltemade in the tournament's Golden Boot race.

Despite a goalless first half in which England carved out several dangerous chances, they were repeatedly denied by an inspired Dutch goalkeeper. But the breakthrough came in the 62nd minute, when Elliott powered into the box from the right and lashed the ball past the keeper at the near post.

Just ten minutes later, the Dutch responded. Capitalising on a sloppy turnover in midfield, they pounced on England's moment of disorganisation. Goalkeeper James Beadle was caught off guard, leaving space for Isaac Babadi to fire home the equaliser.

As the clock ticked toward extra time, the match followed what has become a familiar script at Euro 2025 — late drama. With just minutes to go, the Netherlands gave Elliott too much room at the edge of the box. The Liverpool star made no mistake, rifling a low drive into the bottom corner to seal the victory and spark wild celebrations among the England camp.

With this result, England U21 reach their second consecutive European final and now await the winner of the other semi-final clash between Germany and France.

Euro U21 2025

England - Netherlands 2:1 (0:0)
Goals: Elliott H., 62 (1:0); Ohio, 72 (1:1); Elliott H., 86 (2:1)

England: Beadle; Cresswell C.; Quansah; Livramento; Hinshelwood; Anderson E.; Mcatee (Rowe J., 78); Scott A. (Hackney, 84); Hutchinson (Norton-Cuffy, 78); Elliott H. (Gray, 91); Stansfield (Nwaneri, 84)
Bench: Simkim; Sharman-Lowe; Egan-Riley; Edwards Ro.; Fellows; Iling
Yellow Cards: Anderson E. 45

Netherlands: Roefs; van den Berg R.; Kasanwirjo (Goes, 46); Maatsen I.; Manhoef (van Brederode, 87); Flamingo; Hato; Milambo (Ohio, 69); Valente (Meijer B., 76); van Bergen T. (Regeer, 87); Poku E.
Bench: van den Heuvel; Raatsie; Salah-Eddine; Banzuzi Ezechiel
Yellow Cards: Goes 77