Skip to content

England U21 'keeper Dean Henderson says 'we let the country down'

Dean Henderson during the 2019 UEFA U-21 Group X match between XX and XX at Dino Manuzzi Stadium on June 21, 2019 in Cesena, Italy.
Image: Dean Henderson made a mistake for Romania's third goal as England U21s crashed out in Italy

Dean Henderson has said he and his England U21 team-mates "let the country down" with their early exit from Euro 2019.

Henderson was at fault for Romania's third goal in the 4-2 defeat in Cesena on Friday, as he let Florinel Coman's strike slip through his fingers, and the team now have no chance of qualifying from Group C.

He said: "Whoever goes on to win the tournament we know we can beat them as well. It is a shame.

"We have let ourselves down. We have let the country down."

The defeat was boss Aidy Boothroyd's second in as many games in the competition following Tuesday's 2-1 loss to France.

Aidy Boothroyd
Image: Aidy Boothroyd rested Phil Foden and Aaron Wan-Bissaka ahead of the game

Boothroyd has said he will not quit, and Henderson has admitted the squad know why they were unable to meet expectations.

"We know exactly what went wrong. It is tough to take," said the 22-year-old.

Also See:

Live European Under-21 Championship Football

"Adapting to little things like VAR, it is tough. But it is tough for everyone. No excuses. We have to dust ourselves down and we go again.

"It is a shame because we said in the team huddle that for some of us it will be the last opportunity to play in a major tournament for England.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

England U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd says young players will make mistakes but they will benefit in the long run

"With the group of players we have really under-achieved. We wanted to come here and win this tournament."

Along with Henderson's mistake, Jonjoe Kenny gave away a penalty which allowed Romania to take the lead, before Fikayo Tomori gifted the ball to Ianis Hagi as he scored five minutes before time.

This is something the young squad need to cut out going forward, according to Manchester United's Henderson.

"Individual errors have cost us the game. The game was out of sight by then anyway. We need to put our chances away. We know that. We can't be conceding six goals in two games," he said.

"That's embarrassing really. That's from a goalkeeper's point of view, it is embarrassing. I am not used to it. I need to have a look at myself."

Sky Sports Racing Selector
Sky Sports Racing Selector

Select 7 winners for your chance to win £1,000

Around Sky