In 2025, the roles were reversed. Germany rested their XI, and managed a 2-1 victory over the Young Lions as Ansgar Knauff and Nelson Weiper saw them home, with Alex Scott getting a consolation.
The differences do end there. In 2023, Germany crashed out in the group; this time, they went through as winners. England, almost certainly through before the game had started, barring a disaster, qualify in second spot and now face the prospect of Spain in the quarter-finals on Saturday. For Germany, with a fully rested side, take on Italy in Dunajska Streda on Sunday.
Two players were left over from that Germany victory in Georgia, Charlie Cresswell and Harvey Elliott, and it was the former urging his side on after a tepid first half.
Cresswell leads as England stutter
‘Have some fire about you’ was the cry from the centre-back with five minutes to play in the first half. Shortly after the stadium in Nitra suffered a floodlight failure, a fitting metaphor for an England side that had struggled for chances.
The strikerless formation, which manager Lee Carsley persisted with despite the goalless draw against Slovenia, was shelved at half-time. Jay Stansfield joined the fray after the break to try and spearhead England, but he was unable to provide a spark. He had three shots in the second period, unable to hit the target with any of them.
But, the change in system allowed England’s two midfielders to hold a higher line and press Germany back. It provided dividends late on with Scott tapping in from close range to give his side some hope.
Cresswell nearly levelled late on to live up to his cries from the first half, only to see a header saved well by Tjark Ernst.
Spain up next for England
England’s initial goal in Slovakia was qualification, and with that in the bag, attention now turns to the weekend, where they face up against a Spain side, who, like Germany, made wholesale changes for their draw against Italy on Tuesday.
Carsley made just three changes for Wednesday’s game, and with a trio of games in six days, that lack of rest could prove pivotal against Spain.
But, the bigger issue for England’s management will be getting the best out of star player Elliott, who has yet to hit his stride during this Euros, whilst finding a way to break down teams.
