England got a massive win ahead of this summer’s under-21 European Championship in the Czech Republic, as they came from behind to beat Germany 3-2 at the Riverside Stadium thanks to goals from Jesse Lingard, Nathan Redmond, and James Ward-Prowse.
The Germans looked the more assured early on, and it was no wonder as the starting eleven had nearly 600 more top flight appearances between them than Gareth Southgate’s side. Unsurprisingly then, it was the visitors that took the lead, thanks to a wonderful finish from Kaiserslautern forward, Philipp Hofmann.
England were denied an equaliser when Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made an incredible reaction save from a corner.
Still, the German shot-stopper could do nothing about Lingard’s equaliser.
A bursting run from West Ham right-back Carl Jenkinson led to the Manchester United midfielder receiving the ball on the penalty area. His well-placed effort found the bottom corner, and levelled the score heading into the break.
However, Germany took advantage of another lacklustre start by the English, with Hofmann putting them back in front five minutes in to the second-half. A cross found the 22-year-old at the back post, and he slid in to guide it agonisingly past Watford’s Jonathan Bond.
With fifteen minutes to go, it seemed that England’s positive play would be in vain. However, a run from Alex Pritchard led to Norwich winger Redmond receiving the ball in plenty of space. His strike may have taken a deflection, but there was no doubt where it was heading.
The home side were not done there either, as another excellent move instigated by Jenkinson saw the ball end up at the feet of Ward-Prowse. He expertly wrong-footed the Barca keeper with a subtle drop of the shoulder, before calmly slotting home to complete the turnaround.
It could have been even better for England had Burnley striker Danny Ings not squandered a glorious chance moments later. With the goal practically at his mercy, he could only shoot straight into ter Stegen’s relieved hands.
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