Germany 1-1 England

UEFA Under-21 European Championship Qualifier
FSV Mainz 05
6 September 2005

Steven Taylor scored the goal that keeps Germany and England neck and neck at the top of their European Championships qualification table.

Both sides had already ensured they would be in the hat for the play-off draw, but this game was as competitive as any other between these two nations.

England were below-par in the first-half against a powerful and attack-minded German side.

Their 4-5-1 formation provided lone striker Carlton Cole with precious few chances, although they still managed to battle back for an equaliser after conceding the opening goal.

Germany went ahead on 18 minutes when Stefan Kiessling produced a superb header from 16 yards that gave Liverpool goalkeeper little chance as the ball flew into the top corner.

Kiessling had earlier gone close with a powerful effort from the edge of the box following a strong run and the home side continued to dominate.

David Odonkor looked dangerous down the right against full-back Nicky Hunt, while Premiership-based players Robert Huth and Moritz Volz were commanding at the back.

The young Lions created just one chance in the opening 44 minutes when Michael Dawson's flicked header from Peter Whittingham's free-kick flashed just over the bar.

However, the German defence went to sleep just before half-time and England took full advantage to put themselves level.

Whittingham was the architect again with a sweet inswinging corner from the right-hand side and as Germany dithered and failed to clear, Newcastle defender Steven Taylor came powering in to volley his shot into the roof of the net.

Peter Taylor's side was perhaps fortunate to be level, but they came out for the second-half with renewed purpose and almost took the lead on 56 minutes with their best move of the match.

James Milner found space behind the German defence down the left and delivered a hanging cross that Cole met with a superb leap at the back post.

Goalkeeper Rene Adler appeared to get a slight touch as the ball smashed against the underside of the crossbar and was then relieved when the ball bounced down the wrong side of the goal-line as far as England were concerned.

The rest of the second-half produced little goalmouth action, although Germany almost grabbed a late winner when Piotr Trochowski's speculative 25-yard effort smashed against the bar.

But in the end both midfields cancelled each other out and Germany remain just on top of the group.

England Team
Carson (Liverpool), S Taylor (Newcastle), Ferdinand (West Ham), Dawson (Tottenham), Hunt (Bolton) (Baines (Wigan) 45), O'Neill (Portsmouth), Whittingham (A Villa) (Soares (C Palace) 45), Reo-Coker (West Ham), Welsh (Hull) (Nugent (Preston) 78), Milner (Newcastle), Cole (Chelsea).
Subs not used: Camp (Derby), Davenport (Tottenham), R Taylor (Wigan), Stead (Sunderland).

England Goals: Steven Taylor 44

Germany Goals: Stefan Kiessling 18