Nmecha the hero as Germany overcome Portugal in Euro U21 final 🏆 | OneFootball

Germany have won the European U21 Championship for a third time after victory over Portugal in Ljubljana on Sunday evening.

Scorers: Nmecha 49′

Portugal made a confident start to the game but it was Germany who almost opened the scoring after 15 minutes, when Florian Wirtz’s strike was deflected onto the crossbar by Diogo Leite.

That effort sparked the Germans into life but just before half-time, Vitinha had a great chance to score for Portugal on the counter-attack. The Wolves man was unable to get his shot off before he was crowded out by the German defence, however.

The deadlock was finally broken early in the second half, when Lukas Nmecha latched onto a Ridle Baku pass, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted in at the near post.

Portugal went hunting for an equaliser and they nearly got one when Fábio Vieira spotted Finn Dahmen off his line, but the German goalkeeper was just able to steer the ball out for a corner.

Then it was Germany’s turn to go close, as substitute Karim Adeyemi wriggled free of Diogo Dalot but Diogo Costa in the Portugal goal saved with his shin, before he was again tested by Nmecha from range.

Adeyemi then had another chance but Costa again stuck out a leg to block it, but it mattered not as Stefan Kuntz’s side saw out the victory.

This is the third time Portugal have reached the final of this competition, and the third time they have been beaten at this stage.