England delivered a sturdy showing in defence and an efficient edge in attack to eliminate Germany from the European Championship in front of a partisan crowd at Wembley.

Second half goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane secured England’s place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

A well-balanced first half had little action of note apart from an instinctive save from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who reacted smartly to tip Kai Havertz’s goal bound shot over the bar as half time approached.

Neither side fashioned clear cut chances after the interval until Raheem Sterling tapped home from a perfect Luke Shaw cross for his third goal of the tournament to give England the lead on 75 minutes.

Germany had a chance to restore parity almost immediately when Harry Maguire fouled Joshua Kimmich on the edge of the area but Thomas Mueller shot straight at the wall and then passed up a glorious chance to equalise moments later when he shot wide when clean through.

The miss proved costly as England doubled their lead in the 86th-minute when Shaw broke play in midfield and found substitute Jack Grealish whose measured cross was nodded home by Harry Kane for his first goal of the campaign.

The loss ends Joachim Loew’s tenure as Germany boss with former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick set to take over.

It also means all the pre-tournament favourites from the so-called group of death exit at the first knockout stage with Portugal and France also out of the tournament.

England will face Ukraine in the last eight.