England Surge Into European Under-21 Championship Final After Comfortable Win Over Israel
England are through to the final of the European Under-21 Championship after a 3-0 win over Israel in Georgia on Wednesday night. Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White opened the scoring shortly before half-time, with Manchester City’s Cole Palmer and Aston Villa forward Cameron Archer both adding to the tally after the break.
Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones was awarded Player of the Match for his impressive performance in midfield, alongside former Manchester United man Angel Gomes. The Young Lions will now face either Spain or Ukraine in the final on Saturday.
Morgan Gibbs-White Opens the Scoring
Gibbs-White opened the scoring shortly before half-time, after missing a penalty earlier in the first half. The Nottingham Forest man was able to put his disappointment behind him and make amends for his earlier miss, as he fired home from close range to give England the lead.
Palmer and Archer Seal Comfortable Victory
Palmer doubled the Young Lions’ lead just after the hour-mark, before Archer came off the bench to complete a comfortable victory. Palmer may feel like he did enough to pick up the individual award, having netted once and provided two assists.
Lee Carsley’s team have been thoroughly impressive in the tournament so far, yet to concede a single goal, and will go on to meet either Spain or Ukraine in the final on Saturday.
Spain and Ukraine Meet for Final Spot
The Spaniards squeezed past Switzerland 2-1 after extra-time in the quarter-finals, with Ukraine impressively beating France 3-1 in the last eight. The Ukrainians boast the only player to have scored three goals in the competition so far, Shakhtar’s 20-year-old midfielder Heorhiy Sudakov. Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk has encouraged his team to snap up the young star this summer, saying: ‘I do everything for my friend, I hope he just keeps scoring. I’m just promoting him!’
England will now face either Spain or Ukraine in the final on Saturday, with both teams meeting later on Wednesday evening for the chance to face the Young Lions.
Conclusion
England have been thoroughly impressive in the tournament so far and will be hoping to continue their run of form when they face either Spain or Ukraine in the final on Saturday. With no goals conceded so far, and a number of impressive performances from players like Curtis Jones and Morgan Gibbs-White, Lee Carsley’s team will be confident of lifting the trophy.