Lee Carsley expressed his delight as his England Under-21s side reached the Euro 2023 final after a 3-0 victory over Israel. Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer and Cameron Archer were on the scoresheet as the Young Lions set up a huge clash against Spain in Georgia on Saturday.
Speaking to the press after the match, head coach Carsley said: “It’s a great achievement for the players. We spoke about creating our own history. We’ve done well up till now, but the next thing is the biggest thing. It comes in three days, so recovery will be important now."
Carsley laid down a challenge to his players, saying: “I still think we’ve still got a lot of improving to do. There’s still another level for this team to go.
"They’ve really grown as a group and they’re getting everything they deserve. I’m so, so pleased for them because I’m a big believer that we’ve got so much quality and they just need the opportunity. To watch how they’ve developed on and off the pitch has been brilliant. We sometimes take for granted the level of players we’re producing.”
READ MORE: Man City starlet Cole Palmer shines as England U21s reach Euros final
Gibbs-White opened the scoring in the first half, heading in from 12 yards after missing a penalty earlier in the match. Manchester City's Palmer then made it 2-0 just after the hour, converting Smith Rowe’s cross, and Archer added a third in stoppage time.
Carsley added: “We’ve now mainly got to recover, and for the lads to get a bit of down time, and then look ahead to the final. They’re so motivated to do well, I’m so lucky.
"All the credit goes to the squad, they’re a very determined bunch. They have a lot of pride in possession, but also in the blocks and clearances. But there are still a lot of things we can sharpen up ahead of the next game.”
It is the first time since 2009 that England have made the European final, and they have not won the tournament since 1984.
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