Euro U21s Review: Kenny stunner not enough for England; France's draw with Romania sends Italy out

France and Romania both progressed from Group C, while England drew 3-3 with Croatia in the Under-21 European Championship on Monday.

Romania's forward Andrei Ivan (L), Romania's midfielder Andrei Ciobanu (2ndL) and teammates celebrate at the end of the Group C match of the U21 European Football Championships between France and Romania.

England was pegged back to a 3-3 draw by Croatia while France's stalemate with Romania ensured Under-21 European Championship host Italy was dumped out.

Jonjoe Kenny's terrific strike looked set to be enough to settle a frantic encounter in a Group C dead rubber on Monday, but Josip Brekalo snatched a late equaliser to ensure England ended its campaign winless.

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Having not appeared in the opening two matches for Aidy Boothroyd's men, Reiss Nelson was handed a chance to impress in San Marino, and repaid his manager's faith when he won and converted an early penalty. 

Wolfsburg forward Brekalo curled in a superb strike to restore parity, but sloppy Croatia defending enabled James Maddison to drill England back ahead after the restart.

Lloyd Kelly's mistake gifted Croatia a second equaliser in the 62nd minute – Nikola Vlasic finishing in style from the edge of the area.

Partly at fault for Brekalo's first goal, Kenny – who kept his place despite conceding a penalty in the 4-2 defeat to Romania and Aaron Wan-Bissaka's return to fitness – atoned for his earlier mistake with a stunning long-range strike eight minutes later.

England could not hold out to claim maximum points, however, with Brekalo keeping his cool to slot through Dean Henderson's legs and secure a share of the spoils.

The points were also shared in Group C's other fixture, as France and Romania played out a 0-0 draw to secure their places in the semifinals.

Both sides knew a draw would be enough to send them through to the last four, though neither team let up in their search of a winner, with Adrian Rus squandering a great chance to earn Romania a third successive win in the closing stages.

Had Rus directed his header on target, France would have been out, but Sylvain Ripoll's side held firm to seal a point which sees them through as the best second-placed side.

France's progression comes at Italy's expense and it will now meet Spain in the semifinals, while Romania will face defending champion Germany.