England U21s reached the quarter-final of Euro 2023 as they produced one of the most comfortable football scores of the weekend. They took the lead thanks to a header from Anthony Gordon in the fifteenth minute, and Emile Smith Rowe doubled it in the second. After defeating the Czech Republic in their initial match, Lee Carsley’s team was assured of the top slot. On Wednesday, they will play Germany in the group’s last encounter.
After a promising start, England nearly took the lead when Smith Rowe finished off some rapid movement around the area, but his backheeled attempt was disallowed for offside. Gordon resumed their assault by sending a good pass into the box, and Gil Cohen successfully blocked Curtis Jones’ shot as they continued to attack. A superb cross from Morgan Gibbs-White on the left found Gordon in the center of the box, and the Newcastle forward headed the ball into the bottom corner after twenty-five minutes to reward the commanding start. Israel erupted in the closing 10 minutes of the first half even though England had the upper hand.
Dor Turgeman had the first opportunity, but his header missed the post. In stoppage time, Ethane Azoulay had a better chance, but James Trafford saved his direct free-kick from the edge of the box. Three minutes after the half, Noni Madueke received a wonderful pass from Gibbs-White and had a chance to extend England’s lead, but his shot missed the target. Gibbs-White’s curling free-kick was deflected safely by Daniel Peretz after a strong Israeli pressure period caused Karm Jaber’s shot to miss the target.
In the 68th minute, Smith Rowe of Arsenal scored England’s second goal with a superb finish that he hammered low into the left corner. They persisted in pressuring and substituting. Peretz produced a great stop from a close angle to prevent Cameron Archer from making it three. Harvey Elliott made a terrific run through the centre and found Cole Palmer on the right, but Israel’s defence easily blocked and cleared his shot before Yoav Hofmeister made a strong challenge to thwart Jacob Ramsey’s effort in the last moments.
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