Noni Madueke was a key figure for England again as they became the first team to end this summer’s European Under-21 Championship group stage with a 100 per cent record by recording their third 2-0 win in as many games, eliminating holders Germany in the process.
With England already guaranteed to finish top of Group C and progress to the knockout rounds as group winners, Levi Colwill was one of eight players rested by manager Lee Carsley, having played every minute so far, but Noni Madueke was one of those to retain his place, lining up on the right wing again.
The Chelsea winger was influential right from the off, nearly setting up the opening goal inside the first minute when he ran at the German defence before sliding in Cameron Archer, but the Aston Villa forward’s effort was saved by the keeper high at the near post.
Archer did open the scoring inside five minutes, though, slotting in after a splitting pass by his club-mate Jacob Ramsey. England never looked back, Harvey Elliott making it 2-0 in the 21st minute with another fine goal, receiving a quick throw from the keeper inside his own half and using his pace to race away from the defenders and find the bottom corner.
The Young Lions were well in control and Madueke continued to help his side look for a third, with only some repeated last-ditch heroics from German captain Yann Bisseck preventing him from doing so, as Noni proved too much for his marker to handle.
First he went close himself, using his skill to get away from left-back Henning Matriciani but seeing his shot blocked by the sliding Bisseck, and when he got the better of Matriciani again and tried to square from close range to give Archer a tap in, Bisseck was there again to clear from inside the six-yard box.
After the torrid time Madueke had given him, it was no surprise to see Matriciani substituted at half-time, but our winger continued to impress, playing a big part in creating the first opportunity of the second half, which ended with Elliott’s effort being tipped over the bar.
However, with the job done and nothing on the line for England, Madueke was himself withdrawn with just under an hour played, to be replaced by Emile Smith Rowe in a raft of changes by Carsley to keep his players fresh for the next round.
Madueke and Colwill will both hope to be in the starting line-up for England in the quarter-finals, when they take on Portugal on Sunday with kick-off at 5pm UK time.