Emile Smith Rowe played 74 minutes and grabbed an assist as England advanced to the final of the Under-21 European Championships with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Israel.
In the absence of the injured Jacob Ramsey, the Arsenal midfielder was restored to the starting lineup and on 13 minutes had two great chances to score within seconds of each other; his first attempt was blocked on the line by a defender, the second was parried by the keeper before Newcastle’ Anthony Gordon was fouled collecting the loose ball.
Morgan Gibbs-White missed the resulting penalty but made up for it with a tremendous header to put the Young Lions in front three minutes before the break.
England continued to dominate after the break and deserved their second on 63 minutes when, after patient build-up play, Smith Rowe played a double give-and-go with Gibbs-White before crossing on the slide for Cole Palmer to finish from close range.
The Gunners’ number 10 made way for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke in the closing stages and Lee Carsley’s side finished the job in injury time thanks to a strike by Cameron Archer.
England will face Spain in the final after they hammered Ukraine 5-1. The Young Lions were last in the final in 2009 but haven’t won the competition since 1984.
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Highlights aren’t yet available via UEFA’s official tournament website and they’ve been quick to clamp down on bootleg versions on social media. Pricks.
For me, next season is a shoot out between Fabio and Emile. Both have very similar functions in the squad. At the end of the season I think one will go.
Let the games begin.
Rooting for Fabio 😈
Dunno I do feel like given CL action and domestic cups there’s room in the squad for both if they both do well with their chances, which seems unlikely right now but who knows? In that scenario given his age it might be Trossard who ends up leaving after the season. I like him and do think he’s the best of the 3 right now, but my subjective sense is both ESR and Fabio have more raw talent, if they can only fully mine it…
Not really. Fabio is more of a European style creator/number 10. Smith Rowe is a more direct British style attacking midfielder/forward. I feel like Fabio has a lot more room to grow.
If only the EPL were played in Europe instead of Britain. Until then, direct attacks get goals, creativity and basket weaving not so much.
L8 and R8 backups.
Vieira has been very disappointing to say the least, When we signed him FC Porto fans were saying we got him on the cheap at £35 million, i get Miki saying Vieira is building himself up in the gym to the rigours of our league and what a quality player he is but the amount we spent on him he should of been ready to go in the 1st place, unless he improves on his lightweight performances we will be lucky to get half of his fee, ESR on the other hand knows what he has to do this season,… Read more »
One look at Jack Grealish for City would help you to the understanding that that is nonsense and nonsensical.
His profile is elite from a technical point of view. He is two footed with elite ball striking on either foot, and can turn fluidly or shimmy past an opponent, creative and a goal threat. He’s like a young Santi Cazorla or Leo Trossard but with better shooting accuracy. Not many players who can say all that in world football. For a two footed player with end product at 21, you pay 30 million now because in 2-3 years he will be a 60 million player. That said, it’s still a risk and profiles are not enough, the application matters… Read more »
He must have been disappointed at the number of starts he was getting but Ramsey’s injury meant he started the semi & probably the final too. Hopefully he gets the winner & it sends his confidence through the right way.
The U21 manager should be sacked for not using ESR to the fullest of his ability.
ESR(2024-2025) = Prime (worldclass Eden_Hazard).
Yeah, England should sack a manager who has got his team through to the final of a major tournament with 5 wins out of 5 and no goals conceded so far👍
Ramsey has done his ankle so ESR is almost certain to start the final as well. Up to now he hasn’t looked especially bright beyond some great moments. He’s lost his zip but had gotten much bigger so maybe he will finally learn to hold the ball up
Still playing “give n go” football as far as I’ve seen. For hold up play, you need the mindset change.
Can take a while to get “zip” back after major surgery, sometimes more than a year. And often it’s a confidence thing, where physically he can do it but he still doesn’t trust his body as much… really hope for him and for us that he gets it back soon
This is a great run to get him ready and fit for next season. Let’s just hope he has an injury free season. 🙏
The Return of the Smith.
Coming to a cinema near you. #COYG
Happy for him. I still believe in him, and hope he’ll fully realise his potential with us, as he could be on the level of Saka if the stars align. For me they had a similar potential at one point, he might just need a good run of games with full support of Mikel, to know he’s valued and at home here.
Just been looking for highlights… I can’t believe UEFA weren’t able to throw together a basic highlights package in the four hours since the game ended.
The picture looks like the England team swapped shirts with the Dutch – is that a young Dennis Bergkamp?
Anyone know if the final will be televised/streamed?
All on uefa.tv for free
ESR is gaining much needed fitness and sharpness ahead of the preparations for the next season campaign which I believe he will be a crucial member of the squad if he maintains fitness and form and most importantly heeds Arteta’s training requirements.
Btw, UEFA taking down U21 clips shows how greedy that establishment has become.
become?