Old enemy Germany crush England in final
Staurt Pearce watched his side crumble on the big stage
Also In The News
|
Barcelona president Joan Laporta says Manchester City have made an offer to striker Samuel Eto'o that would make him the highest paid footballer in the world. |  |
Monday, 29, Jun 2009 09:54
England's under-21s have been embarrassed in the final of the European Championships after falling to a 4-0 defeat to Germany.
German playmaker Mesut Ozil created the first goal for his side as he weaved his way across the pitch before sliding in a delightful pass for Gonzalo Castro and he slotted the ball past Scott Loach in the England goal.
England enjoyed their fair share of possession in the first-half, but were unable to create any clear-cut chances. Adam Johnson and James Milner looked dangerous on the wings, but Theo Walcott was a peripheral figure up-front on his own.
As for the Germans, they had the best player on the park in Ozil and he came close to giving his side a two goal lead as he watched a deflected free-kick just go over the England bar.
The game was all but over at the start of the second-half as a howler from Loach, who was deputising for the suspended Joe Hart. Ozil let fly speculatively from 35 yards and Loach stuck out a weak left hand and then could only watch as the ball trickled in.
Milner was the only player who did England proud as he threatened from the right-wing. Lee Cattermole had an effort cleared off the line and Johnson had a shot also cleared, both chances coming from crosses from Milner.
Sandro Wagner, who missed from a yard out a couple of minutes earlier, made it 3-0 as he drilled the ball between the legs of Loach after being put through on goal by man-of-the-match Ozil.
England's miserable night was complete five minutes from the end when Wagner curled in a delightful shot from 20 yards out.