In a finish that will be etched into the annals of European Under-21 Championship heartbreak, Domagoj Bradaric’s sensational injury-time strike shattered England’s quarter-final dreams, delivering a devastating 2-1 victory for Croatia that ultimately sent the Young Lions packing. This Baji live exclusive analysis dives deep into the tactical narrative, the emotional fallout, and the recurring issues that continue to plague England at this level.
A Night of High Stakes and Crushing Despair
The equation was simple yet daunting for Aidy Boothroyd’s side: win by two clear goals and hope Portugal did them a favour against Switzerland. From the first whistle, the Young Lions played with an urgency sorely missing in their previous group outings, finally breaking their tournament goal drought in the 12th minute. A soft penalty was awarded after a minimal contact on Eddie Nketiah, and Ebere Eze stepped up with ice-cool composure to slot home, finally giving England the lead they so desperately craved.
The search for the crucial second goal defined the match. Curtis Jones, a constant threat, curled an effort just over and later missed another golden opportunity after creating space expertly on the left. At the other end, England’s defensive vulnerabilities, a theme throughout their campaign, were nearly exposed again, but for a crucial save from goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to deny Luka Ivanusec.
The Agonizing Twist of Fate
As the second half wore on, the pressure intensified. With news filtering through that Portugal was leading, England’s mission became singular: find that second goal. Dwight McNeil struck the post from a free-kick, and Nketiah was denied one-on-one. The breakthrough finally arrived with 16 minutes remaining. Substitute Rhian Brewster provided width, and his cross was laid off by McNeil to Jones, who fired a sharp finish through a defender’s legs and into the far corner.
For all the world, it seemed enough. England managed the ensuing minutes, seeing out Croatian attacks with relative comfort as the clock ticked into stoppage time. Then, the sucker punch. Left-back Domagoj Bradaric, venturing forward in a last-gasp attack, found space 25 yards from goal and unleashed an unstoppable, dipping drive that flew past Ramsdale. It was a debut U21 goal of stunning quality, a moment of individual brilliance that secured Croatia’s historic first passage to the quarter-finals and condemned England to a painfully familiar early exit.
The full-time whistle sparked chaotic scenes, with a bloodied and furious Curtis Jones—who was named Man of the Match—shown a red card amid a mass confrontation with the celebrating Croatian players, a bitter end to a night of immense frustration.
Tactical Analysis: Where It Went Wrong for Boothroyd’s Lions
Questionable Team Selection and In-Game Management
Aidy Boothroyd opted for an attacking lineup, which initially paid dividends with the high press and intensity. However, as the game progressed, the lack of a controlling presence in midfield became apparent. While the individual talent of players like Jones and Eze was clear, the team’s structural discipline faded after their bright start, allowing Croatia opportunities to counter.
Defensive Frailty: A Recurring Nightmare
Once again, England’s defensive unit looked uncertain. As noted by Baji live football analyst Mark Thompson, “The ease with which Croatia carved through England‘s midfield at times will be a major concern. There’s a lack of defensive cohesion that top teams punish. For 89 minutes, they got away with it. But at this level, you’re always living dangerously with those lapses.”
The Final Psychological Blow
The nature of the defeat—a worldie from nowhere in the dying seconds—is a brutal psychological lesson for this group of players. It underscores the unforgiving nature of tournament football, where concentration must be maintained for every single second.
A History of Hurt: Boothroyd’s Tournament Record Under Scrutiny
This latest failure places manager Aidy Boothroyd’s tenure under intense scrutiny, marking another chapter in a history of underwhelming tournament exits for England‘s U21s.
Euro 2017: Semi-Final Shootout Loss
A semi-final defeat on penalties to Germany masked a campaign where England showed promise but ultimately fell short in the cruellest fashion.
Euro 2019: Collapsing Under Pressure
A disastrous group stage exit was defined by a complete collapse in game management, conceding devastating late goals to both France (89th & 94th minute) and Romania (89th & 93rd minute).
This 2021 exit, however, might be the most painful yet, given the mathematical improbability of the situation and the last-gasp manner of the defeat.
The Road Ahead: Lessons to Be Learned
In his post-match interview, a devastated Boothroyd told reporters, “I thought tonight we were excellent… To lose in the manner we did, after getting to the position we were in, he’ll never score a goal like that again. That is very, very disappointing.”
While the performance was an improvement, the result is what matters. The pathway from the U21s to the senior team is filled with talented individuals, but the repeated failure to translate individual quality into collective tournament success suggests a deeper issue regarding mentality and tactical discipline in high-pressure moments.
Baji live concludes that this generation of players, featuring talents like Curtis Jones, Ebere Eze, and Emile Smith Rowe, possesses immense potential. However, until they learn to win the key moments and manage games with the ruthlessness required at international level, these heartbreaking exits will continue to be a painful rite of passage.
England’s Euro Dream Ends in Agony: Bradaric’s Wonder Goal Sends Croatia Through
The inquest will be long and hard. For now, the overwhelming emotion is one of sheer devastation for a group of players who came within seconds of pulling off a great escape, only to have it ripped away by a moment of pure, inexplicable genius.
What did you make of England’s performance and their tournament exit? Where does the team go from here? Share your thoughts and analysis with the Baji live community below.
