Knee-slide pain worth it for Elliott's heroics

With just five minutes remaining, Harvey Elliott stood basking in the adulation of the crowd. The Liverpool midfielder raised his arms in celebration at Stadion Tehelne pole after scoring England Under-21s' decisive second goal - a strike that secured their place in a second consecutive Euro final.

Elliott's brace propelled defending champions England to a well-deserved victory over the Netherlands in Bratislava's sweltering heat, setting up a Saturday showdown with Germany. The 22-year-old's performance capped a tournament where he's emerged as England's talisman, currently sitting as the competition's second-highest scorer with four goals.

A dedicated section of young fans spent much of the second half chanting Elliott's name, particularly after his spectacular 62nd-minute opener. The adoration was well-earned following a season of limited opportunities at club level, though Elliott joked about reconsidering his celebratory choices: "I did a silly knee slide which really hurt, but you have to live in the moment," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "The pitch was ridiculously dry - that's the price I pay for spontaneity."

Despite winning the Premier League with Liverpool last season, Elliott made just two starts, casting uncertainty over his Anfield future. The attacking midfielder has been vocal about not wanting to "waste years" in his career and plans to evaluate his club situation this summer. His stellar tournament performances have undoubtedly boosted his profile among potential suitors.

As one of only two remaining players from England's 2023 Euro-winning squad (alongside Toulouse's Charlie Cresswell), Elliott has grown into a leadership role. His emotional post-match reflections revealed the significance of his contributions: "Every goal is massive for me - I love the feeling and confidence it brings. Scoring for your country with family watching is unbeatable."

The young Lion emphasized the squad's unity and fearlessness: "Our quality, teamwork and togetherness make us special. After beating Spain in the quarter-finals, we've proven we can take on anyone." With a potential personal double on the line (adding to his 2023 winners' medal), Elliott stands poised to cap his tournament with glory against Germany.