There was nothing surprising about Germany prevailing in a penalty shootout against England, though Julian Pollersbeck's antics between the sticks was a bit more surprising.
Germany and England were vying for a spot in Friday's under-21's European Championship final. The game was forced into extra-time before eventually heading into a dreaded penalty shootout.
Davie Selke gave the Germans the lead. But England soon leveled courtesy of Leicester City's Demarai Gray. Tammy Abraham then put England ahead though substitute Felix Platte equalized.
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The German's dominated extra-time but were unable to find the goal which prompted penalties. Step up Jordan Pickford and Pollersbeck.
While the £30 million Englishman had been garnering plenty of attention this tournament through his performances, he was upstaged by his counterpart.
Pollersbeck saved Abraham's and Nathan Redmond's spot-kicks but not without a secret weapon. Check out what the keeper did before Chilwell converted.
Credit: Sky Sports
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Needless to say, it caught the attention of social media. Here are a few reactions from Twitter:
Before his heroics last night, Bundesliga outfit Hamburg completed the signing of the keeper on a four-year deal. The 22-year-old was plying his trade in the second tier with Kaiserslautern where he kept 14 clean sheets in the season just gone.
Pollersbeck gets mobbed by his teammates after saving Redmond's effort. Image: PA
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"I'd like to thank Kaiserslautern for the last few years and wish them all the best for the coming season," Pollersbeck told the official Hamburg website.
"Now I'm looking forward to a new chapter in the Bundesliga with Hamburg and I hope we can achieve our aims together."
Julian Pollersbeck. Remember the name.
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