England 2-0 Israel: Young Lions roar into Under-21 Euros quarter-finals as Anthony Gordon and Emile Smith Rowe strike
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Updated 25/06/2023 at 20:52 GMT
England are into the quarter-finals of the Under-21 Euros with a game to spare after continuing their perfect start by beating Israel 2-0. Emile Smith Rowe scored his second goal in two games to seal a second consecutive victory and mathematically assure top spot in Group C for the Young Lions. The Czech Republic beat Germany in the other group game, and France beat Norway 1-0 in Group D.
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Emile Smith Rowe scored his second goal in two games to fire England into the quarter-finals of the European Under-21 Championship with a 2-0 win over Israel.
The Arsenal midfielder, who also netted in the opening 2-0 win against the Czech Republic, doubled England’s lead in the second half following an early Anthony Gordon opener.
Lee Carsley’s side sit top of Group C with a perfect six points from six, with the Czech Republic second on three points after their 2-1 win over Germany.
The Young Lions are guaranteed to win the group regardless of their final result against Germany, as head-to-head is the tie-breaker and the Czechs - the only team who could catch them - are three points behind.
England join Spain and Ukraine in securing a quarter-final spot with a game still to play.
Gordon opened the scoring after 16 minutes by darting to the near post to meet a Morgan Gibbs-White cross and heading home.
The Young Lions, being watched by senior boss Gareth Southgate in Kutaisi, managed to survive some pressure to maintain their lead by the break, with James Trafford making an excellent save to deny Eitan Azoulay.
Smith Rowe then finished off a superb team move with 68 minutes on the clock, playing a one-two with Gibbs-White before firing home a powerful low shot to clinch the victory.
In the other Group C game, an 87th-minute Martin Vitik winner gave the Czechs a 2-1 win over Germany to put them on the brink of the knockout stages.
In Group D, Italy survived a spirited second-half comeback to beat Switzerland 3-2 and draw level with the Swiss on three points.
The Azzurrini were rampant in the first half as early goals from Lorenzo Pirola and Wilfried Gnonto put them in charge, before Fabiano Parisi extended their lead to three goals before the break.
However, Kastriot Imeri and Zeki Amdouni struck early in the second half, leaving the Swiss with almost a full 40 minutes to try and complete a comeback - but they couldn't get the goal they needed.
France, meanwhile, moved onto six points in Group D as Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise scored just before the hour mark to secure a 1-0 win over Norway, who sit bottom of the group after two losses.
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