BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - JUNE 25: Harvey Elliott of England celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 Semi-Final match between England and Netherlands at National Football stadium on June 25, 2025 in Bratislava, Slovakia. (Photo by Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Harvey Elliott is player of tournament as Liverpool trio crowned U21 Euro champions

A Harvey Elliott goal and an assist from Tyler Morton in extra time helped England successfully defend their U21 European Championship title.

The Young Lions faced Germany in Saturday’s final, with Elliott and Jarell Quansah both in the starting lineup and Morton joining them just before halftime. 

England raced to a 2-0 lead inside 24 minutes, with Elliott scoring the opener with his fifth goal of the tournament in outing number six.

The 22-year-old confidently tucked his effort away after his initial pass forward was deflected and ultimately fell back to him in the box having continued his run. 

Elliott has been a consistent presence for Lee Carsley’s side during this summer’s tournament, with a brace in the semi-final clinching their spot in Saturday’s final.

Following full time, he was named player of the tournament, adding his name to a list of previous winners including Thiago, Andrea Pirlo and Luis Figo.

Back to the match and Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson made it 2-0 in the 24th minute as England dominated proceedings and ought to have had a more comfortable buffer.

Morton was then introduced to replace the injured Alex Scott just before halftime and was caught out when 6’3” forward Nelson Weiper leapt for a header to make it 2-1.

Germany levelled the scores just after the hour mark with a deflected effort and were then denied by the crossbar at the death to see the game sent to extra time.

Harvey Elliott’s winner sparked wild celebrations (Petr David Josek/AP)

Elliott was withdrawn at the end of the 90 minutes after another tireless display, which saw him create the most chances of any player (3), as Carsley looked to inject fresh legs. 

It was then Morton’s turn to have his long overdue moment with a beautifully whipped cross for Jonathan Rowe to finish just moments after the game restarted.

As for Quansah’s evening, he made vital interventions throughout and was not shy about striding away from his own box with the ball in a Joel Matip-like manner.

England ultimately held on for a 3-2 win in extra time to successfully defend their 2023 title – one that Elliott and Curtis Jones played their part in.

It ends a topsy-turvy season for the Liverpool trio on a high, and they are all expected to leave Anfield this summer starting with Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen.