In a week that England’s senior side have hardly covered themselves in glory, perhaps the under-21s could make it another memorable summer? While Lee Carsley has played down his youthful squad’s chances of emulating Dave Sexton’s back-to-back triumphs in becoming European champions in 1982 and 1984, a convincing and mature victory over a boisterously backed Czech Republic team hinted that it may not be beyond the realms of possibility.
Goals from Harvey Elliott and Charlie Cresswell sandwiched by another from Jonathan Rowe were enough to allow England to take a commanding position in Group B after brief hopes of a comeback from the Czech Republic. Victory over Slovenia, who were beaten 3-0 by Germany in their opening match, on Sunday would assure a place in the quarter-finals.
Carsley had warned that an inexperienced squad that contains just two of those who won in Georgia two years ago could look “a little bit clunky”. But while Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson managed to pick up a booking after just 17 seconds for a misjudged tackle, England made an encouraging start with the captain, James McAtee, employed as a false 9 in the absence of Liam Delap, who is one of several players missing due to Club World Cup commitments.
Omari Hutchinson forced Czech Republic goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek into a reaction save at his near post before Vaclav Sejk was inches away from connecting with a cross that fizzed across the face of goal at the other end. The large contingent of red-shirted supporters who had made the short journey across the border and made up 90% of the crowd sensed an opportunity for a country that has failed to get past the group stage of this competition since 2011.
It needed a solid save from Brighton’s James Beadle, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, to keep out Stepan Chaloupek’s header from a free-kick when the Czech Republic captain found himself totally unmarked before Alex Scott did well to block a goalbound shot from a corner. With Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah and Charlie Cresswell of Toulouse looking shaky at the back, England were riding their luck as Carsley assumed his favoured touchline position on his haunches.
Such is the depth of talent in this age group that seven members of Thomas Tuchel’s latest senior squad – including Jude Bellingham, Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer – were still eligible to take part here.
Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, who has already won a senior cap during Carsley’s spell as interim manager, was instrumental in the opening goal. His cross was almost deflected in but McAtee kept the ball in play and it was drilled in by Elliott.
Beadle then had to be alert to prevent the ball from trickling over his line after it had come off Qunasah’s arm following a goalmouth scramble moments after England had taken the lead.
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Once more it was Livramento who seemed to have settled their nerves three minutes after the restart when he darted into the area and delivered a cross that Rowe managed to get the slightest of flicks on to deceive the unsighted Hornicek at his near post. But the Czech Republic hit back immediately when Livramento was caught out by a cross from Sejk and Daniel Fila gratefully headed in.
“We’ve got to play,” came the message from Carsley as his side attempted to wrest back control. The introduction of Birmingham’s Jay Stansfield and Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal from the bench for the last 20 minutes was an indication that the job was not done.
It didn’t take long for Nwaneri to make an impact, producing a cheeky nutmeg before setting off on a mazy run that saw his shot deflect just wide. Cresswell sealed the victory minutes later when he headed in Scott’s corner to give Carsley the perfect start.