Harvey Elliott delivered a standout performance for England Under-21s, scoring twice to seal a 2-0 semi-final win over the Netherlands and send the Young Lions into their second consecutive UEFA Euro U21 final.
Elliott, 22, soaked in the applause from fans at the Stadion Tehelne pole in Bratislava, raising his arms in triumph after his late second goal secured England’s place in Saturday’s final against Germany. His first goal — a powerful strike in the 62nd minute — had already put Lee Carsley’s side ahead in the sweltering Slovakian heat.
A group of young fans spent much of the second half chanting Elliott’s name, and he repaid their support with a commanding display. Despite a painful knee-slide celebration after his first goal, Elliott was in high spirits.
“I decided to do a silly knee slide which really hurt,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “But you have to live in the moment. I forgot how dry the pitch was — hopefully it’s nothing too silly.”
Elliott’s resurgence on the international stage comes after a frustrating season at Liverpool, where he made just two Premier League starts despite being part of the title-winning squad. With his future at Anfield uncertain, Elliott has expressed a desire for more consistent game time.
“I don’t want to be wasting years,” he said earlier this summer, suggesting he may consider a move for more first-team opportunities.
His performances in Slovakia have turned heads — four goals so far make him the tournament’s second-highest scorer. Elliott, along with Toulouse defender and former Leeds player Charlie Cresswell, is one of only two remaining members of England’s victorious 2023 squad, and has emerged as a key leader in this campaign.
Following the match, an emotional Elliott reflected on his game-sealing strike: “It’s up there. Every goal is special, but scoring for your country in front of your family — that’s something else. It gives me confidence and belief.”
He also praised the team’s cohesion and mentality. “We deserve to be here. The squad is incredible, not just in quality but in how we play and support each other,” he said. “After beating Spain in the quarter-finals, we lost that fear. We believe we can take on anyone now.”
With a final against Germany on the horizon, Elliott has a chance to not only lift another European title but also boost his profile as he weighs his next career move.
