Raheem Sterling’s third goal at the European Championship helped England beat Germany and reach the quarterfinals.

They sealed a 2-0 win against Germany who have ended English dreams of silverware many times in the past.

England were eliminated from the 1970, 1990 and 2010 World Cups by Germany and also in the Euro 96 semi-finals at Wembley.

England have shifted to a three-man defence for the clash.

Germany threatened throughout the first-half, with Timo Werner threatening to put Germany ahead just after the half-hour mark, but they were unable to put the ball in the net.

Jordan Pickford was in spectacular form, pulling off a series of superb saves to keep Germany’s scoreboard at nil.

It was the introduction of Jack Grealish that swung the game in England’s favour.

Grealish started a move, passing the ball to Luke Shaw whose assist was converted by Sterling from close range, with just 15 minutes.

A few minutes later, England killed off the contest with a second strike.

Shaw won the ball and burst forward, playing in Grealish whose cross was headed home by Kane in his first goal of the tournament.

England will next face either Sweden or Ukraine in the quarter-finals in Rome on Sunday.

England, yet to concede a goal in the tournament.

They will play the quarter-final in Rome against the winners of Tuesday’s other last 16 tie between Sweden and Ukraine.

Chasing a first major international trophy since 1966, England can look at a possibility of a semi-final against Denmark or the Czech Republic.

Lineups

England

Pickford, Trippier, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Phillips, Rice, Saka, Sterling, Kane. 

Subs: Ramsdale, Johnstone, Mings, Coady, James, Bellingham, Mount, Henderson, Grealish, Foden, Rashford, Sancho.

Germany

Neuer, Kimmich, Rudiger, Ginter, Hummels, Gosens, Goretzka, Kroos, Havertz, Muller, Werner.

Subs: Leno, Trapp, Halstenberg, Volland, Gnabry, Musiala, Süle, Neuhaus, Sané, Gündogan, Can, Koch