England booked their place in the knockout stages of the European Under-21 Championship as they eased to a 2-0 win against Israel.
After an opening victory against the Czech Republic, England knew that another three points would be enough to reach the quarter-finals, regardless of what happens in their final Group C clash with Germany.
And Lee Carsley’s side got the job done with minimal fuss, as Anthony Gordon’s first-half header gave the Young Lions the lead, before Emile Smith Rowe put the result beyond doubt with 20 minutes remaining. England will knock defending champions Germany out if they avoid defeat when the teams meet on Wednesday.
Smith Rowe was brought into the starting lineup and he very nearly had a goal to show for it in the opening minutes. A lovely England move ended with the ball dropping to the Arsenal man in the box, but the offside flag was raised as his backheel found the bottom corner.
The Young Lions got the goal they deserved though, with just over a quarter of an hour on the clock. Morgan Gibbs-White found space on the left, he clipped a cross into the box and Gordon was on hand to head home.
Israel offered very little in attack, or any desire to press, as England knocked the ball around with ease and had a level of control that was not at all reflected on the scoreline until the lead was doubled.
Gibbs-White was again the provider, laying the ball off to Smith Rowe, and the Arsenal man did the rest as he fired into the bottom corner from just outside the area for his second goal of the tournament.
That ensured a comfortable finale as top spot in Group C was secured with time to spare, with England now left to play a decisive role in who joins them in the quarter-finals as they are presented with the opportunity to put Germany on an early flight home.
