Anthony Gordon fires nervy England into U21 Euros semi-finals
The Young Lions will face a second assembly of the match with Group C rivals Israel in Wednesday’s last-four conflict in Batumi after a brilliantly-worked first-half aim from Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon was sufficient to see off the 2021 runners-up at Kutaisi’s Ramaz Shengelia Stadium on Sunday evening, regardless of a one-sided second half.
Lee Carsley’s England – who’ve nonetheless but to concede a single aim on the match – will now be assured of reaching the ultimate of this competitors for the primary time since 2009, having already seen off Israel 2-0 in the group stage final weekend courtesy of objectives from Gordon and Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe.
The solely draw back on the evening for England in opposition to Portugal was a reserving for Norwich right-back Max Aarons which guidelines him out of the semi-final.
With Carsley having reverted again to the identical crew that lined up for England’s opening win over the Czech Republic, early exchanges noticed Liverpool’s Curtis Jones information a shot vast from simply exterior the penalty space and Wolves’ Pedro Neto have an effort turned across the publish by James Trafford.
Gordon’s first sight of aim within the twenty third minute from Jacob Ramsey’s by way of ball was simply saved by Celton Biai however the Portuguese goalkeeper had no likelihood along with his subsequent effort.
Noni Madueke performed in Morgan Gibbs-White and he cleverly reduce the ball to Gordon loitering close to the penalty spot to confidently sweep residence first time.
In first-half added time Taylor Harwood-Bellis produced an essential block to disclaim Tiago Dantas and, after Aarons was booked early within the second half, Levi Colwill did equally to forestall former Watford loanee Henrique Araujo having an opportunity to equalise.
Seconds later the Portugal ahead was unsuccessfully interesting for a penalty after a tangle with Harwood-Bellis within the six-yard space as they challenged for a cross earlier than coming even nearer to scoring when his header hit the crossbar.
With seconds remaining of regulation time, Neto drilled a free-kick into England’s defensive wall and when Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares fired over within the remaining minute of six added on, Carsley’s facet had been secure.
Additional reporting by the Press Association.