Sunday’s briefing: England Under-21s defend European title and Chelsea advance

England Under-21s successfully defended their European Championship title with a 3-2 win over Germany after extra-time in Bratislava.

Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1 in extra-time after a late weather delay in the match in Charlotte to reach the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.

England boss Sarina Wiegman continues the preparation for Euro 2025 with a friendly against Jamaica in Leicester on Sunday.

Young Lions roar again

Jonathan Rowe’s extra-time header secured England Under-21s back-to-back European Championship titles after beating Germany 3-2 in extra-time in Bratislava.

Germany had beaten England in the group stages, but Lee Carsley’s side got off to a flying start with early goals from Harvey Elliott and Omari Hutchinson.

However, Nelson Weiper struck just before the break and Paul Nebel then dragged Germany back on level terms.

Substitute Rowe made an instant impact after coming off the bench in extra-time, scoring with a diving header which proved decisive despite Germany coming close again late on when Merlin Rohl’s effort rattled the crossbar.

“I am so proud of them, so happy for them,” England Under-21s boss Carsley said on Channel 4.

“To be European champions for the second time is a great achievement and I suppose the challenge now is to do it again in two years.”

Blues march on at Club World Cup

Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1 after a weather delay late on in the match in Charlotte to reach the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup, where they will face Brazilian side Palmeiras.

The Blues saw first-half efforts from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer saved by Benfica goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin.

The Ukrainian, though, was caught out in the 64th minute when Reece James fired an angled free-kick from the left past him at the near post.

The match was suspended with just four minutes left of normal time because of the risk of lightning in the vicinity of Bank of America Stadium, a break which lasted almost two hours.

When the game resumed, Angel Di Maria equalised from the penalty spot to send the game into extra-time.

After Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was sent off, Chelsea regained control and Christopher Nkunku put them ahead from close range. Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added late goals on the break

In Saturday’s other last-16 tie, Palmeiras beat Brazil rivals Botafogo 1-0 after extra-time in Philadelphia.

Palmeiras substitute Paulinho made the decisive breakthrough in the 10th minute of extra-time, before captain Gustavo Gomez was sent off for a second yellow card following an off-the-ball tussle, but his side held out.

Lionesses continue Euros countdown

England host Jamaica at the King Power Stadium on Sunday for their Euro 2025 send-off friendly.

Lauren James is in line for her first appearance since sustaining a hamstring injury in April.

The Chelsea forward, 23, has been unable to feature for club or country since limping off midway through England’s 5-0 Nations League win against Belgium nearly three months ago, but returned to training last week.

England boss Sarina Wiegman said: “She is doing really well, but of course she hasn’t played games yet, but she’s in a good place.

“She will likely come off the bench, we can manage that a bit. She showed up on the training session really well.”

Cristiano Ronaldo sees a bigger picture

Cristiano Ronaldo feels turning down the opportunity to play at the Club World Cup and signing a new two-year deal with Al Nassr gives him a better chance of success next season – and another shot at taking Portugal to World Cup glory.

Following Al Nassr’s final league game of the season last month, Ronaldo had posted on social media “the chapter is over”, which fuelled speculation the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was to leave the Saudi Pro League club.

The 40-year-old revealed teams had “reached out” over taking part in the Club World Cup in the United States, but he decided instead to extend his stay with Al Nassr.

“I had some offers to play (Club) World Cup, but I think it didn’t make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long, because this is the season of the World Cup at the end,” Ronaldo told Al Nassr TV.

“I want to be ready not only for Al Nassr, but also for the national team, so this is why I decide to play the last game for the Nations League and not listen to nothing (about the offers) and of course to be in this club, which I love.”

What’s on today?

England host Jamaica in Leicester for their final warm-up fixture ahead of Euro 2025.

The Club World Cup knockout stage continues as PSG take on Inter Miami in Atlanta while Bayern Munich face Brazilian side Flamengo in Miami.