Emile Smith Rowe and Jacob Ramsey secured England Under-21s first win in the opening game of a tournament since 2009 as the Young Lions saw off Czech Republic 2-0.
The U21s have qualified for the last nine tournaments, but have struggled at the business end, despite a perfect qualifying record.
They’ve only got out of the group stage once in the last six finals, in 2017, but are now well placed to move to the quarter finals ahead of games against Israel on Sunday and Germany next week.
Ramsey, who warned this squad has a “different mentality" before the tournament, and Smith Rowe secured the first opening game victory since Micah Richards scored to see off Finland.
The Villa star broke the deadlock with an expert finish, bursting in on goal 90 seconds after the break. He collected the ball wide on the left, cut inside and was sent through via an cute flick from Newcastle ’s Anthony Gordon.
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It was a repeat show for Ramsey who scored the winner last June against the Czechs in their qualifying campaign. It was his fourth goal for the U21s.
This week he warned rivals, including Germany: “One thing that I will say about this group – when we’ve looked at previous groups before, and previous camps, there’s probably a different mentality.
“I think, before, people have put us down as big favourites and that we’ve gone there to win it. But in this group we’ve got a bit of a humble side.”
Jacob Ramsey celebrates his goal for England (DAVID MDZINARISHVILI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)The goal was a relief after a tough first half with scares in front of the Englan goal, and Noni Madueke excellent. The Chelsea winger hit the bar early on and was in on goal after an exchange with Ramsey, but couldn’t convert.
Ramsey also just failed to convert a dangerous cross from Gordon, who also picked up a booking for decking his marker.
But the Czechs had the best chances with two great opportunities falling to Vaclav Sejk, who twice hit the side netting once when he only had Trafford to beat in the England goal. The first half ended 9-6 to the Czechs in efforts on goal.
There was huge encouragement for boss Lee Carsley though with England controlling possession and Angel Gomes, Gordon and Curtis Jones all looking lively.
Gordon thought he’d doubled the lead, converting Noni Madueke’s cross but the excellent Morgan Gibbs-White was booked for blocking the Czech free kick and not retreating ten yards
Arsenal star Smith Rowe did make it two four minutes into injury time with a tap in after being set up by fellow sub Cameron Archer.
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