Lightning strikes twice, Will Hughes shines and James Ward-Prowse shows yet again how deadly he is from set pieces
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ENGLAND suffered heartbreak in the Under-21 European Championship as they crashed out after losing on penalties against Germany.
Southampton man Nathan Redmond missed the decisive spot-kick in Poland as the Young Lions bow out at the semi-final stage.
In a topsy-turvy match, Germany went 1-0 up through Davie Selke only for Demarai Gray to hammer home the equaliser.
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham then put England up just after the break, but Felix Platte powered in a header that left the game heading into extra time.
Germany bossed the occasion and deserved to advance through to the final, but there is still plenty to cheer about if you're an England supporter.
Here's five things we learned from the clash...
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WARD-PROWSE MASTER OF DELIVERIES
James Ward-Prowse showed once again why he is one of the most feared players from dead-ball situations.
Set pieces have been a major part of England's success in the Under-21 European Championship so far this summer, and the Southampton midfielder consistently excels with his pinpoint accuracy.
The Young Lions scored the equaliser in the first half from a corner, with Ward-Prowse's cross finding it's way to Calum Chambers, before Demarai Gray lashed home into the roof of the net.
His whipped in style causes chaos for the opposition on a regular basis, and Andy Boothroyd can be thanking his stars he knows his side are a threat whenever he's standing above the ball.
He also scored an emphatic penalty in the shootout that nestled in the top right corner.
WILL POWER
Arguably the man of the match at the Tychy City Stadium, Will Hughes shone in Poland as he ran Germany's defence rugged.
The Watford playmaker, fresh from his signing from Derby, set up Tammy Abraham who put England 2-1 up early on in the second half.
His quick feet and the ability to glide through players left fans on their feet, and gave Watford supporters a real glimpse of what is in store for them next season.
Germany couldn't handle the 22-year-old throughout the contest, and was always looking to attack whenever in possession of the ball.
He was substituted towards the end of the second half, and was hugely missed in extra-time as his side failed to have any creative spark in the middle.
FOX IN THE BOX
Leicester City star Demarai Gray is getting a reputation for being at the right place at the right time.
The 20-year-old winger scored for the second consecutive match after netting last time out against Poland, with an emphatic left-footed volley into the top corner.
Even though he was replaced in the 73rd minute by Nathan Redmond, his quick dribbling and forward-thinking nature showed why he is touted as a future England star.
DEFENSIVE FRAILTIES
Aidy Boothroyd will be left bitterly disappointed that his side conceded two headers in the match.
Davie Selke even slipped over seconds before he picked himself up behind Chambers, and guided his header past the hapless Jordan Pickford.
Germany bossed the second half, and missed a host of chances, with Everton right-back Mason Holgate unable to stop Serge Gnabry from getting past him on a regular basis.
Boothroyd's men conceded 37 shots on at goal in the 120 minutes of action.
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE
Stefan Kuntz proved to be Germany's lucky charm as his side ran out 4-3 winners in the penalty shootout.
The Germany Under-21 boss was part of the side that won Euro 1996, where they knocked out England in the semi-final, again winning on penalties.
Nathan Redmond missed the decisive spot-kick, while Tammy Abraham was also guilty of seeing his effort saved.
England's curse of failing to convert spot-kicks has yet again came back to haunt them.
