In a rematch of their Group C encounter, Lee Carsley’s England side started well and found themselves worthy winners against an ineffective Israel side. It means they’re bound for this weekend’s final against Spain at this summer’s U21 Euros after cruising to a 3-0 win over Israel earlier tonight, thanks to goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer and second-half sub Cameron Archer.
England into U21 final for first time since 2009
- England will play Ukraine’s conquerors Spain in Saturday’s U21 European Championship final after easing to 3-0 win over Israel during group stage rematch, extending their clean sheet streak to five games (450 minutes)
- Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White atoned for a missed penalty by breaking the deadlock 25 minutes later, after Anthony Gordon was fouled by Karm Jaber and three-minute VAR check confirmed spot-kick
- Manchester City midfielder Cole Palmer scores one, creates two assists as 14-year wait ended to reach the final against Guy Luzon’s plucky side
England’s under-20s crashed out in the World Cup’s last -16 on May 31, four days after the under-17s were beaten in the quarterfinals of their Euros campaign.
However, the oldest of their youth cohort now find themselves potentially 90 minutes away from lifting a long-awaited piece of silverware they haven’t managed since 1984, back when this tournament was decided by two-legged ties.
Defending champions Germany went out with a whimper in England’s group, while a stacked France side scored first but were stunned 3-1 by Ukraine in the quarterfinals.
Italy were tied on head-to-head points and goal difference in France’s group with Switzerland and Norway, while it feels fitting Saturday’s finalists Spain hit five past their overachieving opposition two hours after England eased to victory.
Five different players were on the scoresheet too for Santi Denia’s talented crop, including captain Abel Ruíz and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oihan Sancet, while Celta Vigo’s transfer-linked gem Gabri Veiga played sparingly from the bench again.
They have such depth and quality across all positions – just like the Young Lions – that this weekend’s final should be a cracker. Whereas Spain actually went behind after 13 minutes, England were on top early on against Israel.
How did the Young Lions win this?
Angel Gomes was among those who tried his luck from distance as spaces opened up, before Gordon won a penalty after Jaber’s clumsy challenge in the box.
A lengthy VAR check followed and Gibbs-White, who was 4-of-4 for penalties in his professional career, skewed it wide of the mark as Israel were given a reprieve they wouldn’t heed.
Liverpool’s Curtis Jones narrowly missed latching onto a crossfield pass at the near post as England’s pressure grew, before Gibbs-White atoned for his earlier penalty miss by heading his team into a lead minutes before half-time.
Palmer’s cross was well-weighted and the 23-year-old attacked it, rising above Jaber to meet it, heading home into the far corner without warning.
Breakthrough secured, they were relatively confident Israel’s deep defensive block would have to change rather drastically otherwise this contest was essentially over.
A bizarre sequence came in the 44th minute, as Levi Colwill and his defensive teammates had the ball near the centre circle, looking for options and expecting a press that just didn’t come from their Israeli counterparts.
Fans responded by whistling their frustrations, expecting England to go forward all the same, but there was no need for them to. They were leading, after all.
If that visual didn’t scream red flags for semifinalists never expected to reach this stage, then it would get worse midway through the second-half.
Another lengthy VAR review, this time England doubled their lead after Arsenal’s Emile Smith-Rowe was initially ruled offside in the build-up to Palmer’s finish.
Gibbs-White and Smith-Rowe combined down the right, Palmer gratefully slid home at the back post and much like Portugal, Israel’s backline were split open with ease.
Gordon forced a smart save at point-blank range by Tomer Zarfati, but probably should’ve made it 3-0 there and that proved his last action of the night as both he and Smith-Rowe were replaced.
Head coach Lee Carsley emptied his bench, with Harvey Elliott and Cameron Archer on in their place.
Roy Revivo threatened with a mazy run or two but to no avail as England held firm defensively despite a few hairy moments, with complacency perhaps creeping in.
Palmer turned provider in transition for Archer, who stayed composed and duly converted from close-range to score in consecutive tournament appearances.
Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, another late sub, looked to get in on the action too by displaying his close-control dribbling and purposeful running in-behind.
Israel captain Gil Cohen’s last-ditch challenge thwarted him from an effort near the byline, as it was damage limitation time for a side who had clearly run out of steam.
Picture source: Getty Images
Mo and Sports 