England U21s beat Czech Republic in Euros opener

Author: BBC Sport

England got their European Under-21 Championship campaign off to a winning start as they beat the Czech Republic in Georgia to put themselves in a strong position to reach the knockout stage.

Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey scored the opener early in the second half, picking the ball up and exchanging passes with Anthony Gordon before bursting into the box and slotting into the far corner.

Emile Smith Rowe sealed victory deep into stoppage time when he tapped in at the far post after being teed up by Cameron Archer.

England also went close in the first half when Noni Madueke curled a shot against the bar after some good work on the right-hand side, while three other chances also went begging.

England did not have it all their own way, with the Czech Republic’s best chance falling to forward Vasil Kusej, who raced through on goal but shot wide.

More to follow.

Line-ups

Czech Rep U21

Formation 4-1-2-1-2

1Jaros

4Gabriel2Vitík3Hranác12Cedidla

8Cerv

22Kaloc20Zamburek

11Sulc

7Kusej9Sejk

• 1Jaros
• 4Gabriel
• 2Vitík
• 3Hranác
• 12Cedidla
• 8Cerv
• 22KalocSubstituted forValentaat 82’minutes
• 20ZamburekSubstituted forDanekat 66’minutes
• 11SulcBooked at 45minsSubstituted forKarabecat 66’minutesBooked at 90mins
• 7KusejSubstituted forJurásekat 60’minutes
• 9SejkBooked at 19minsSubstituted forFilaat 66’minutes

Substitutes

• 5Pojezny
• 6Fukala
• 10Karabec
• 13Danek
• 14Fila
• 15Koubek
• 16Neuman
• 17Jurásek
• 18Pech
• 19Vlcek
• 21Valenta
• 23Markovic

England U21

Formation 4-2-2-2

1Trafford

14Garner5Harwood-Bellis4Colwill2Aarons

21Gomes17Jones

23Madueke8J Ramsey

7Gibbs-White11Gordon

• 1Trafford
• 14Garner
• 5Harwood-Bellis
• 4Colwill
• 2AaronsBooked at 56minsSubstituted forJohnsonat 89’minutes
• 21GomesSubstituted forSkippat 79’minutes
• 17Jones
• 23MaduekeSubstituted forSmith Roweat 79’minutes
• 8J RamseyBooked at 84mins
• 7Gibbs-WhiteBooked at 69minsSubstituted forElliottat 89’minutes
• 11GordonBooked at 20minsSubstituted forArcherat 79’minutes

Substitutes

• 3Thomas
• 6Skipp
• 9Archer
• 10Smith Rowe
• 12Branthwaite
• 13Griffiths
• 15Cresswell
• 16Johnson
• 18Doyle
• 19Elliott
• 20Palmer
• 22Rushworth

Referee:Horatiu Fesnic

Match Stats

Live Text

Post update

Match ends, Czechia U21 0, England U21 2.