BOOTHROYD DESPAIR AS GERMANY WIN IT AT THE DEATH

ENGLAND’S Under 21s suffered their first defeat in 20 games as Germany’s Stefan Kuntz left these shores victorious again. This was Kuntz’s first involvement in a game here since he featured in the Euro 96 final at Wembley, days after breaking English hearts in the semi-finals. The former Germany forward

equalised against England some 23 years ago, then scored a penalty in the shootout before Gareth Southgate missed the

decisive kick. Southgate was here in Bournemouth to watch Aidy Boothroyd’s Young Lions, having landed back from Montenegro at 5am, and saw Felix Uduokhai score a stoppage-time winner. It should not have counted, as England’s Kyle Walker-Peters was down holding his head when Uduokhai scored. Italian referee Marco Di Bello waved play on, however, and Boothroyd said: ‘To me, it’s a head injury. It’s Under 21s, it’s a friendly, it stops. I’m disappointed.’ Germany boss Kuntz is certainly a character. He interrupted Boothroyd’s post-match press conference to say he was late for a flight but added: ‘I cannot go without saying goodbye.’ Germany won the last Under 21 Euros in Poland two years ago and looked slick here. They took the lead in the 27th minute when Mahmoud Dahoud fired into the far corner from 20 yards. England levelled before the break after Arne Maier tried to clear, only for the ball to bounce off Dominic Solanke and leave the striker with an empty net. Uduokhai struck at the death, though, to inflict a rare defeat on Boothroyd’s starlets.