Bayern Munich at the European U-21 Championship: Upamecano and France get eliminated, Mai and Germany advance on penalties

The 2021 European U-21 Championship is being held in Hungary and Slovenia, and Bayern Munich are being represented by new signing Dayot Upamecano and Lars Lukas Mai. Both young centerbacks were entering the tournament with different targets: Upamecano hoped the show the FFF that they made a mistake by not calling him up to the main European Championship this summer, while Mai was looking to prove to Bayern (or another Bundesliga team) that he is ready for the first division.

Let’s see how they did in the Quarterfinals.

Dayot Upamecano - France

France was one of the favorites heading into the tournament as one of the favorites to win the entire thing. Unfortunately for them, they’re going home after the first match.

As for Upamecano, the centerback scored a great header in the first half for France’s sole goal. Unfortunately for him, France was unable to find an equalizer, and Myron Boadu’s winner came during the final minutes of France dominating and pushing for a winner with Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté in the Dutch half. The AZ Alkmaar man scored both goals for the Netherlands.

Lars Lukas Mai - Germany

Stefan Kuntz brought Mai into the game in the 87th minute with Germany trailing Denmark 0-1. The Bayern man got right into the action. Mai flicked on a corner from Arne Maier, and Lukas Nmecha was on hand to equalize and send the match into stoppage time.

Jonathan Burkhardt scored in the 99th minute to give Germany the 2-1 lead; however, Mai conceded a silly penalty in the 106th minute sending Victor Nelsson to the spot where he equalized. ON TO PENALTIES!

In the shootout, Mai converted his penalty, and Germany would go on to win the shootout 6-5.

Full Results - Quarterfinals

Netherlands 2-1 France
Denmark 2-2 (5-6 penalties) Germany
Spain 2-1 (aet) Croatia
Portugal 5-3 (aet) Italy

Schedule - Semifinals

Netherlands vs Germany - June 3
Spain vs Portugal - June 3