What a day for England as they move into the final of the European Under-21 Championship.
The second semi-final, between Germany and France, starts at 20:00 BST with the final in Bratislava at the same time on Saturday.
That’s all for this live page. Thanks as always for joining us and for your comments. Until next time, bye for now.
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England
England boss Lee Carsley, speaking to Channel 4: “The team were outstanding. The way we started the game was exciting and disappointing to come in at half-time without scoring.
“Second half we played with real resilience. We stood up and got over the line. We can really look forward to the final.
“Harvey Elliott and Charlie Cresswell didn’t play a lot of minutes in the last campaign. We knew how important they would be – they have taken that onboard the responsibility of driving the rest of the squad.
“Harvey has been outstanding. He is one of many who have stood up. They’re developing as a team and a squad. I think this team is outstanding.”
On the heat: “Keep the ball. We always knew it was going to be very hot. We have done our training sessions in the hottest part of the day.
“We have given them the opportunity to sunbathe after training so they’re exposed to the heat and it definitely helps.”
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter at the Stadion Tehelne pole
England Under-21s moved to the brink of winning back-to-back Euros as Harvey Elliott’s brilliant double sent them into the final.
The defending champions set up a showdown against either France or Germany on Saturday in Bratislava by overcoming the Netherlands.
England won the tournament for the first time in 39 years in 2023, and Lee Carsley’s side could now match the feat of successive triumphs in 1982 and 1984.
Elliott was twice denied by Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs in the first half, but the Young Lions were unable to maintain their tempo in the blistering heat of Slovakia.
They remained comfortable during a low-key opening period, but the Netherlands grew in confidence, with left-back Ian Maatsen denied by James Beadle before Elliott’s 62nd-minute opener.
The Liverpool attacker rifled in from an angle after Elliot Anderson’s pass for his third goal of the tournament.
Noah Ohio levelled 10 minutes later for the Dutch, capitalising on defender Charlie Cresswell’s error and catching Beadle out with a superb curling low finish from 30 yards – the former Hull City loanee’s first touch after coming on as a substitute.
But Elliott had the final say when he drilled into the corner from the edge of the box with five minutes left.
Joe Cole
Former Chelsea and England midfielder on Channel 4
On where Harvey Elliott could possibly move to…
Anyone outside the top six he comfortably walks in and becomes the main player.
He left Fulham as a young man. His learning has been spread out.
There is more to come from him.
There will be teams all around Europe looking for Harvey Elliott’s number.
England
England’s goalkeeper James Beadle, speaking to Channel 4: “Unbelievable.
“Once you go 1-0 to 1-1 it is a tough blow. Then we got a brilliant goal from Harvey.
“I think we can beat anyone, we believe in our abilities and we are going there to win.”
Joe Cole
Former Chelsea and England midfielder on Channel 4
On Harvey Elliott’s second goal…
It is all about Harvey Elliott popping into the pockets.
If Lionel Messi had done this, the world would be stopping.
He has got this ability. He can do this on such a consistent basis.
England were dominant from start to finish.
It is such an exciting time for English football.
Some people thought Lee Carsley wasn’t the right person for getting our teams through international competition.
Another final, brilliant management of players he understands, in a system that works, against outstanding opposition.
Hopefully Tuchel can surpass this achievement.
Anon
Jermain Defoe
Former England striker on Channel 4
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We said it before that Harvey Elliott is too good to not be playing.
When you’re producing in big tournaments like this against top players.
He needs to get out and play. Go out and express yourself and show people how good you are.
The finish is amazing.
England
England’s two-goal scorer Harvey Elliott, speaking to Channel 4: “Amazing. Really tough game. To win is incredible. Another final, I know I keep saying it, but we need to rest, recover and go again.
“It is not over yet. Tonight was another amazing experience, really tough conditions once again, but the way the lads dug deep. I think we deserve this final. It is about recovering, resting and going again.”
On hurting his knee celebrating: “I don’t know what I have done with my knee, but it is hurting, hopefully it is nothing too silly.
“Silly decision from me, but one of them. Live in the moment, you do these things. The pitch was ridiculously dry, but that’s the price I have got to pay.
“It has been really tough preparation wise. As I said before, we had many players who had to drop out, Club World Cup and transfers.
“We want to do it for everyone who can’t be here. It is one last push.”
Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra at the Stadion Tehelne pole
On the hot conditions…
Very tough, it is very warm here.
The game [the final] is a little bit later on Saturday night which will help the players.
Joe Cole
Former Chelsea and England midfielder on Channel 4
Dominant in every aspect of the game.
Defended so well, midfield top drawer from all of them.
The only thing you can maybe criticise was it wasn’t done and dusted earlier.
Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra at the Stadion Tehelne pole
Superb result for England and fully deserved.
They had a lot of pressure on them for the first 20 minutes of that second half, but they weathered that storm and they got themselves ahead.
A brilliant goal from Noah Ohio, a slight error from Charlie Cresswell.
England stuck at it and they believed. Another moment of quality from Harvey Elliott was enough to see England through.
Professional, outstanding performance. England have grown throughout this competition.
They will believe that they can go on and win it.
I thought England dealt with the threat of the Dutch extremely well.
England are in the final of the European Under-21 Championship!
Two goals from Harvey Elliott and the Young Lions, winners of this tournament two years ago, are one game away from retaining their title.
Germany and France play in the second semi-final from 20:00 BST with the winners taking on England in Bratislava in the final on Saturday.
Superb from England. Superb.
And James Beadle comes through a crowded penalty area to gather the right-wing corner. Superb handling.
The Dutch win a corner in the fifth minute of added time. The keeper is up…
Good handling from James Beadle to deal with a ball played into the England penalty area.
One minute to go for the Young Lions.
Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra at the Stadion Tehelne pole
Lovely play by Elliot Anderson.
He’s been dominant in that midfield later on. It clips the top of the crossbar.
Great effort.
Elliot Anderson has been one of England’s star performers tonight and he shows great skill to spin away and lead a charge. He gets the ball back and looks for the top corner. He’s not far off, as the strike zips just over the top. That would’ve done it.
Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra at the Stadion Tehelne pole
Two moments of quality from Harvey Elliott and he’s appreciated by the crowd for what he’s just done.
Harvey Elliott channeling his inner Lothar Matthaus.
David
Hope Arne Slot is watching this Harvey Elliott masterclass!
Please Arne give Harvey more time in a Liverpool shirt, and please don’t sell him.
Anon
Getty Images
Nick Mashiter at the Stadion Tehelne pole
BBC Sport football news reporter
England Under-21s are one match away from winning back-to-back Euros after Harvey Elliott’s brilliant double sent them into the final.
The defending champions set up a showdown against either France or Germany on Saturday in Bratislava by overcoming the Netherlands.
England won the tournament for the first time in 39 years in 2023, and Lee Carsley’s side could now match the feat of successive triumphs in 1982 and 1984.
Elliott was twice denied by Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs in the first half, but the Young Lions struggled to maintain their tempo in the blistering heat of Slovakia.
They remained comfortable during a low-key opening period, but the Netherlands grew in confidence, with left-back Ian Maatsen denied by James Beadle before Elliott’s 62nd-minute opener.
The Liverpool attacker rifled in from an angle after Elliot Anderson’s pass for his third goal of the tournament.
Noah Ohio levelled 10 minutes later for the Dutch, capitalising on defender Charlie Cresswell’s error and catching Beadle out with a superb curling low finish from 30 yards – the former Hull City loanee’s first touch after coming on as a substitute.
But Elliott had the final say when he drilled into the corner from the edge of the box with five minutes left.
What’s the main talking point?
In the immediate aftermath of the game, there was only one talking point – can England retain their title?
France or Germany, who play later on Wednesday, await England in Bratislava.
The Young Lions’ grit, determination and quality have seen them through.
They have gained momentum during the tournament – crucial for any winning side – but have done so with unity and class.
They lost to Germany in their final group game so could be going for revenge should they meet in the showpiece, while they were also beaten 5-3 by France in a friendly in March.
The standout stats
England were deserved winners, but the statistics point towards a more balanced game.
Both teams had 50% of the ball, while England’s passing accuracy was 90% to the Netherlands’ 87%.
The Dutch completed 13 more passes (385-372), and England’s ball recoveries total of 32 was just two more than their opponents achieved, but Carsley’s side had double the attempts at goal (12-6).
Which players stood out?
Elliott drove England forward and underlined his quality with two brilliant finishes after a frustrating season at Liverpool.
Tino Livramento had another strong game at the back, although it was a frustrating one for Omari Hutchinson in attack as he faded following a bright start.
Dutch forward Ohio – who had spells in the youth teams of both Manchester United and Manchester City – claimed an audacious equaliser just three minutes after coming off the bench.
What is next?
England stay in Bratislava for another few nights before Saturday’s final against France or Germany, while the Netherlands head home after falling short in Slovakia.
The Player Rater cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable JavaScript or try another browser.
Player of the match
H. Elliott
9.05
19 H. Elliott
9.05
8 E. Anderson
8.19
2 T. Livramento
7.98
1 J. Beadle
7.82
18 J. Stansfield
7.59
4 J. Quansah
7.56
16 J. Hinshelwood
7.53
11 O. Hutchinson
7.52
20 A. Scott
7.46
5 C. Cresswell
7.24
10 J. McAtee
7.10
6 H. Hackney
6.91
12 B. Norton-Cuffy
6.83
14 A. Gray
6.80
9 J. Rowe
6.71
21 E. Nwaneri
6.62
9 N. Ohio
5.57
5 I. Maatsen
5.12
16 R. Roefs
5.10
13 R. van den Berg
5.00
14 W. Goes
4.89
17 E. Poku
4.84
20 A. Milambo
4.81
19 T. van Bergen
4.78
6 Y. Regeer
4.77
21 M. van Brederode
4.76
12 N. Kasanwirjo
4.73
22 L. Valente
4.69
7 M. Manhoef
4.68
4 J. Hato
4.64
3 R. Flamingo
4.64
15 B. Meijer
4.62
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
