Luxembourg U21 0-3 England U21: Man City is on the scoresheet in a routine win
England Under-21s got off to a good start in defending their European title with a 3-0 win in Luxembourg.
The Manchester City and Chelsea youngsters were on the scoresheet, with Liam Delap marking his debut with a goal that gave the Young Lions the lead at half-time at the Stade Parc des Sports before Callum Doyle and Cole Palmer scored after the break.
England, winners of Euro 2023 in Georgia and Romania earlier this summer, endured a frustrating first half in their opening Euro 2025 game.
Luxembourg, who beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in Lurgan last Thursday, made life difficult for England by defending deeply and in large numbers.
Harvey Elliott twice came close to giving England an early lead, saving his shot from close range before firing just inches wide of goal from outside the box.
Juventus striker Samuel Iling-Junior shot across in front of goal and Nathan Wood headed straight at goalkeeper Eldin Latik.
Then Latik parried Palmer’s low shot and Doyle narrowly missed the target as England’s chances piled up.
Another Palmer shot was well parried, but Lee Carsley’s side made a breakthrough just before half-time.
Palmer ripped apart the deep Luxembourg defense with a lovely through ball and Delap delivered a poaching finish.
Ten minutes into the second half, Miguel Fernandes had Luxembourg’s first shot on target when James Trafford saved his shot.
But the Young Lions extended their lead in the 58th minute when City defender Doyle, who was on loan at Leicester, scored a direct goal from inside the box.
Palmer completed an impressive evening for City’s youngsters when he scored the goal of the game in the 67th minute, a great first finish after a short pass from substitute Jamie Bynoe-Gitten.
Palmer saw another shot that was parried well in the bottom corner before Trafford was forced to parry Lucas Correia’s shot.
England took their foot off the accelerator in the closing stages but went close again with Doyle’s header and Palmer shooting straight at Latik.
Additional reporting from the Press Association.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/england-u21-luxembourg-match-report-b1106337.html Luxembourg U21 0-3 England U21: Man City is on the scoresheet in a routine win
