England Under-21s won their opening match at an European U21 Championship for the first time since 2009 as they put two unanswered goals past the Czech Republic in Batumi, Georgia.
After an eventful first half in which there were plenty of chances but none were taken, England took the lead inside 90 seconds of the second half when Jacob Ramsey burst through midfield and tucked the ball calmly away.
The Czechs tired as the match wore on, and it will please manager Lee Carsley that the Young Lions started not only with victory but also with a clean sheet. Victory was confirmed when Emile Smith Rowe converted from Cameron Archer’s cross in stoppage time.
England face Israel in their second group game on Sunday.
Dom Smith was on hand to rate the England players…
James Trafford — 8
Made one excellent save in the fourth minute, keeping the games goalless in the early stages, then an even better one to deny Vasil Kusej’s low shot before half-time. Earned his stripes.
James Garner — 5
Struggled to get his crosses in and his positioning when the Czechs attacked was not always ideal. It must be noted that right-back is not his preferred position, but he did not fufil the role as well here as he did for Everton towards the end of the Premier League season.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis — 6
Solid enough at the back, though England need to be careful not to play such a high line in future in this tournament. They will be punished.
Levi Colwill — 7
Spent last week with the England senior team and it is easy to see why. A more than capable performance from the centre-back,
Max Aarons — 6
Slightly anonymous display from the right-back playing on the left. No big errors though.
Jacob Ramsey — 7
Many people feel Aston Villa’s cultured midfielder is the most accomplished player from any team at this tournament. He certainly looked it here, rotating play well and scoring England’s excellent first goal.
Our #YoungLions' first goalscorer at #U21EURO: @JacobRamsey41! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/aqs7jn12ra
— England (@England) June 22, 2023
Angel Gomes — 7
This was a really encouraging display from Gomes. His career was starting to stall in recent years, but he played like the player who has just enjoyed a breakthrough season at Lille.
Curtis Jones — 6
Got himself into trouble early on when he was pressed and dispossessed in his own box. A quiet day at the office for the Liverpool man.
Noni Madueke — 8
On it from minute one. Struck the crossbar after just three minutes when he let fly from just outside the area, and twice more in the first half came close to opening the scoring. Excellent throughout.
Anthony Gordon — 7
Played well in the false-nine position. Scored in the second half with a nice tucked finish and was unlucky that it did not stand.
Morgan Gibbs-White — 7
An U17 World Cup winner from the 2017 contingent that included Marc Guehi and Phil Foden, Gibbs-White played well in moments here but struggled to stamp his mark on the match.
Substitutes
Emile Smith Rowe (Madueke, 79’) — N/A
Scored England’s second with a tap-in to confirm victory.
Oliver Skipp (Gomes, 79’) — N/A
Cameron Archer (Gordon, 79’) — N/A
Nice assist for Smith Rowe.
Harvey Elliott (Gibbs-White, 89’) — N/A
Ben Johnson (Aarons, 89’) — N/A
