England Under-21s book Euro '23 quarter-final berth

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England Under-21s reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2023 as Group C winners following a comfortable 2-0 victory against Israel. </p>

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Anthony Gordon's header put them in front in the 15th minute before Emile Smith Rowe doubled the lead in the second half. </p>

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Lee Carsley's side, guaranteed top spot after beating the Czech Republic in their opening match, will meet Germany in the final group game on Wednesday. </p>

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After starting brightly, England nearly took the lead after some quick passing around the box was finished by Smith Rowe, but his backheeled effort was ruled out for offside. </p>

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They continued to attack with Gordon firing a promising ball into the box and Curtis Jones' shot was well defended by Gil Cohen. </p>

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The dominant start was rewarded with quarter of an hour gone when a brilliant cross from Morgan Gibbs-White on the left found Gordon in the centre of the box and the Newcastle forward nodded the ball into the bottom corner. </p>

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England were in charge but Israel sparked into life in the final 10 minutes of the first half. </p>

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Dor Turgeman had the first opportunity with his header going wide of the post and Ethane Azoulay had a better chance in stoppage time when his direct free-kick from the edge of the area was saved by James Trafford. </p>

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England had an opportunity to double their lead three minutes after the break when Gibbs-White threaded a great ball through to Noni Madueke, but his effort flew wide. </p>

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Daniel Peretz made a great punch to clear the danger from Gibbs-White's curling free-kick before a solid spell of pressure from Israel saw Karm Jaber's effort go wide. </p>

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England eventually earned their second through Smith Rowe in the 68th minute with an excellent finish from the Arsenal forward drilled low into the left corner. </p>

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They continued to push and substitute Cameron Archer nearly made it three, but Peretz made a solid save from a tight angle. </p>

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A great run from Harvey Elliott down the centre found Cole Palmer on the right, but his shot was easily blocked and cleared by the Israel defence before Yoav Hofmeister made a solid challenge to stop Jacob Ramsey's attempted shot in the final minutes. </p>

<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/news/england-21s-book-euro-23-quarter-final-berth">England Under-21s book Euro '23 quarter-final berth </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>