England suffered a cruel conclusion to the Algarve Tournament as a goal eight minutes from time condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at the Municipal Stadium in Lagos.
Germany U17 1-0 England
Algarve Tournament
Municipal Stadium, Lagos
Sunday 2 March 2014
With both nations level on four points ahead of the game, it was winner-takes-all, but Benedikt Gimber's goal ensured it would be Germany who took the trophy home.
Germany started with the lion's share of possession, but were restricted to long-range efforts as Dael Fry and Joseph Gomez held them at bay.
England, however, were looking dangerous on the counter with the pace of Patrick Roberts, Demetri Mitchell and Josh Sims causing problems, and it was the latter two who combined for the game's first opening.
Sims met a through-ball on the left wing and raced clear of the full-back as he bombed forward into the area. The Southampton winger then cut the ball sideways for the onrushing Mitchell, whose left-footed strike rolled past the far post on 11 minutes.
Roberts then had the next opportunity for England, cutting in from the left wing and rasping an effort from 20 yards that stung the keeper's hands.
Germany were still in the ascendency, but they continued to be restricted to long-rangers as another chance fell the way of John Peacock's youngsters shortly before the break.
Archie Edwards' cross from the left was only cleared to Joshua Onomah on the edge of the area but the midfielder fired over.
The heavens opened as the second-half began and a host of changes were made during its opening by both teams.
Mandela Egbo, Oluwaseyi Ojo and Karl Grant were introduced by England, although it would be Germany who had the first opportunity after the restart. A cross from the right found its way to Arianit Ferati around the back but the forward blazed it high over the bar.
Peacock made his final change with 15 minutes to go as he introduced Giorgio Rasulo in to the attack in place of Sims, but it was to be in vain as his side conceded a cruel late blow.
Germany won a corner on 72 minutes and the ball was swung deep into the six-yard box, and after a scramble involving several players, Gimber poked the ball home from four yards to spark wild celebrations.
England were rattled, and they had Freddie Woodman to thank moments later as the keeper saved brilliantly from Finn Porath.
As the fourth official held aloft the board to indicate four minutes of additional time, the Young Lions rallied, and a chance of an equaliser came to Rasulo, but the MK Dons attacker saw his effort smothered by the keeper, ending England's hopes.
Germany (4-2-3-1): 1 Timo Konigsmann, 2 Lukas Boeder, 3 Benedikt Gimber, 4 Niclas Bahn (7 Nicolas Clasen 66 mins), 5 Robin Tim Becker (15 Patrick Kammerbauer 79 mins), 6 Max Besuschkow, 10 Ole Kauper (8 Damir Bektic 40 mins), 11 Philipp Ochs (18 David Putz 53 mins), 13 Arianit Ferati (17 Cedric Teuchert 66 mins), 14 Benjamin Henrichs (C) (9 Michael Strein 53 mins), 19 Oguzhan Aydogan (16 Finn Porath 40 mins)
Subs not used: 12 Patrick Bade
Goal: Benedikt Gimber 72 mins
England (4-3-3): 1 Freddie Woodman, 14 Callum Connolly, 12 Archie Edwards (16 Taylor Moore 56 mins), 5 Joseph Gomez (C) (2 Mandela Egbo 40 mins) , 15 Dael Fry, 4 Lewis Cook (18 Kieran Dowell 56 mins), 8 Joshua Onomah, 20 Callum Cooke, 7 Patrick Roberts (19 Karl Grant 51 mins), 17 Josh Sims (10 Giorgio Rasulo 64 mins), 9 Demetri Mitchell (11 Oluwaseyi Ojo 51 mins)
Subs not used: 3 Max Lowe, 13 Sam Howes
