Germany claimed the UEFA European Under-19 Championship trophy for the second time with a narrow victory against Portugal.

• Mukhtar (39) rewards Germany's first-half pressure

• Title for Marcus Sorg's team adds to 2008 triumph

• Second final defeat for Portugal



Germany were on top for the majority of the first half in Budapest and finally made the decisive breakthrough with six minutes of the opening period remaining, Hany Mukhtar bundling in. Both teams had chances but Portugal struggled to unpick a well-drilled defence, some committed late blocks ensuring the trophy went back to Germany for the first time since 2008.

Having made something of a specialty of early goals in this tournament it was little surprise to see Germany on the front foot from the first whistle, Marc Stendera twice going close before seven minutes had been played. Davie Selke then passed up an even better opening, meeting Kevin Akpoguma's low right-wing cross at the near post, only to screw a shot wide.

Hany Mukhtar celebrates his goal ©Sportsfile

At the other end, Oliver Schnitzler beat away Rafa's angled drive but that proved an isolated Portuguese threat. André Moreira needed to be sharp to keep out Julian Brandt's deflected shot but the goalkeeper was powerless in the 39th minute. Again the move came down the German right, Stendera's low cross finding Mukhtar at the near post and the midfielder scored with his knee.

Germany started the second period as they had the first, with purpose. Selke, Mukhtar and Levin Öztunali all threatened, yet it was Portugal who went closest to the game's second goal, Marcos Lopes having his low shot from a Gelson Martins shot block and André Silva unable to force in the rebound.

In front of more than 7,000 spectators, Portugal pressed with increasing urgency but it was Germany who were attacking in the final minutes. Moreira saved from substitute Felix Lohkemper and Domingos Duarte cleared acrobatically off the line – but the glory belonged to Germany.