England finish perfect in group, oust holders Germany from U21 Euros

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England finished the UEFA European Under-21 Championship group stage with maximum points after a 2-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday that eliminated the tournament holders from the competition.

England, who had already guaranteed top spot in Group C and a place in the quarterfinals, took control of the game at Georgia's Batumi Arena early in the first half after well-taken finishes from Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer and Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott.

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Archer, who spent last season on loan with Middlesbrough in the Championship, put the Young Lions in front after just four minutes following a through ball from Villa teammate Jacob Ramsey.

Elliott then doubled England's advantage in the 21st minute with a superb run from inside his own half followed by a clinical left-footed shot past Germany stopper Noah Atubolu.

Coach Lee Carsley made eight changes to England's side following a victory over Israel that sealed first place in a group also including the Czech Republic.

But Germany had no answer for their rivals as the 2021 winners crashed out of the competition after taking just one point from their three games.

Still to concede a goal in the competition, England will next play Portugal in the quarterfinals on Sunday.