Oh no, not again
Germans break England hearts in another dramatic penalty shoot-out
No matter how much has changed, regardless of how the relationship with neighbours has altered, some things always stay the same in Europe – Germany once again dump England out of a tournament after a penalty shoot-out.
It has been just over a year since the country voted for Brexit, which, depending on your view, was either a glorious act of national liberation or ridiculous self-harm, but when it comes to international football competitions, England are regularly forced to leave against their will.
England’s development side deserved to lose this semi-final of the European Under-21s Championship. Germany were slicker, sharper and, just, well, better. Had they been vaguely competent at defending set-pieces, England would never have taken the game to extra time and a penalty shoot-out.
Sadly, that just delayed the inevitable. The goals from Demarai Gray and Tammy Abraham were well taken, but Germany should have had far more to show for their dominance than the two they scored through Davie Selke and Felix Platte.
For all the progress made, this was a sharp, stinging reminder of how much work still needs to be done. The gap between England and the top nations remains unbridged. If you are being positive, small advances have been made. After all, this was the first time the under-21s had got out of their group for eight years and the under-20 squad won their World Cup this month, but it feels like supporters are clinging on to comfort rather than a persuasive argument.
There was heartbreak in the end, frustration of sorts. Losing on penalties is always tough. Abraham and Nathan Redmond failed from the spot, but Germany missed so many chances in normal time, they would have felt cheated if they had not progressed to meet Spain in Friday’s final in Krakow.
The fact that England took them to that point was down to their sheer, stubborn refusal to be beaten by a superior group. Whatever buzzwords are thrown around at St George’s Park, that has always been in the DNA of the nation’s players. Sadly, this performance did nothing to suggest England are any closer to challenging the best in the world. Not until the under-20 group have had a chance to develop, at least.
In 2009, England lost against Germany in the final of this tournament. Five years later, Germany became the first European nation to win the World Cup in South America. The omens suggest they will continue to dominate England in tournaments for years to come.
As manager Aidy Boothroyd stressed in the build-up to this semi-final, the successful senior teams prepare for their triumphs by also winning age-group competitions like this one.
“I’m absolutely gutted,” said Boothroyd. “I’m sick, losing on penalties after going so close, but we’ve put a lot of work in to get to this point. I said I would be irritated if we lost the semi-final, but they were very good. You have to take your hat off to them, we played so many different shapes trying to get a foothold in the game.
“To go 2-1 up, we thought it was our day, but it was a backs-to-thewall performance, digging our way through. I fancied our chance in the shoot-out … I don’t know what it is with us and penalties. We’ve done everything we can in terms of preparation, but I think fatigue set in and their goalkeeper made two good saves.”
England actually started well and Germany’s defence repeatedly presented them with goalscoring chances from set-pieces. Unfortunately for Boothroyd, his players wasted them all. Nathaniel Chalobah put two free headers over the bar, although the worst miss belonged to Abraham. Unmarked, four yards out, he put his header straight at goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck. It was a woeful effort.
England created only one clear chance in open play in the first half, Will Hughes sliding a lovely ball through for Gray to run on to, but his first attempt was blocked and the second saved by Pollersbeck.
Germany, though, were getting into their stride, repeatedly passing through England’s blunt midfield diamond and eventually got their reward as the dangerous Jeremy Toljan exploited the space out wide to cross for Selke to head home.
England, though, were level before the break as another corner caused problems and Gray did well to volley a loose ball home after Calum Chambers’s first attempt had been blocked.
When England took the lead through Abraham at the start of the second half, after brilliant approach work from Hughes, there was hope. Germany, though, remained calm. England tried to defend the edge of their own area, even though there were 40 minutes left to play. It was a suicidal tactic and Germany equalised when substitute Platte glanced in a corner.
They were utterly dominant both before and after that goal, but could not kill off England’s resistance until the shoot-out.
“I wanted my players to make me proud and they did,” said Germany manager Stefan Kuntz. “They did everything they could for Germany to win the game, to make the country proud.”