Germany to face Spain in the U21 Euro final— a rematch of the 2017 final

Defending champion Germany will again meet Spain in the Under-21 European Championship final after both won their semifinals on Thursday.

Luca Waldschmidt and Nadiem Amiri scored late as Germany came from behind to beat Romania 4-2, while Spain routed France 4-1.

? The stage is set! ?

????? Which free-scoring side will win the title?#U21EURO pic.twitter.com/Vf1FhppvJk

— UEFA U21 EURO (@UEFAUnder21) June 27, 2019

Spain lost 1-0 to Germany in the 2017 final and will now have its chance for revenge in Udine on June 30.

In the first semifinal, in Bologna, Amiri gave Germany the lead in the 21st minute after racing from inside his own half but George Puscas leveled from the spot following a foul by Timo Baumgartl on Ianis Hagi.

2017: ?? 1-0 ??
2019: ?? vs. ??

The #U21EURO final will be a repeat for the first time in the competition's 41-year history. pic.twitter.com/OJL8UHtPNj

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 27, 2019

And Romania, which was making only its second appearance in the competition, took the lead on the stroke of halftime when Puscas headed in.

Germany leveled shortly after the break when Waldschmidt converted a spot kick after Hagi was penalized for pulling on Mahmoud Dahoud’s shirt.

As the match appeared headed for extra time Germany scored after Amiri backheeled a free kick into Waldschmidt’s path and the Freiburg forward fired into the bottom right corner.

2017: Champions
2019: Finalists

Germany have reached back-to-back #U21EURO finals for the first time since 1980. ?? pic.twitter.com/s2YNn62fLl

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 27, 2019

It got worse for Romania as defender Alex Pascanu was sent off for a last-man foul on Lukas Nmecha and Amiri sealed the match with another free kick.

There was also a penalty for each side in Reggio Emilia.

Jean-Philippe Mateta gave France the lead from the spot in the 16th after Junior Firpo pushed over Jeff Reine-Adelaide.

But Marc Roca equalized when he tapped in a rebound and Mikel Oyarzabal fired Spain in front with a penalty in first-half stoppage time after being tripped by Ibrahima Konate.

Gian-Luca Waldschmidt has now scored more #U21EURO goals for Germany (7) than any other player has ever managed.

At the double against Romania. pic.twitter.com/fsQah8n3Gv

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 27, 2019

Dani Olmo extended Spain’s advantage immediately after the break and substitute Borja Mayoral scored four minutes after coming off the bench.