England have beaten the Czech Republic 2-0 in their opening match of the European Under-21 Championship. Jacob Ramsey opened the scoring early in the second half before Anthony Gordon had a goal ruled out for an infraction by Morgan Gibbs-White during the build-up.
Michael Dominski
June 22, 2023 at 2:28 PM EDT
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Group C resumes action on Sunday:
- England vs Israel
- Czech Republic vs Germany
Both matches will kick-off at 5pm BST, 12pm ET, 9am PT.
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Match stats
England may have dominated possession and filled up the stat sheet, but the Czech Republic created several dangerous chances too and were unfortunate not to score.
England 2-0 Czech Republic
- Shots: 15 - 11
- Shots on goal: 4 - 2
- Saves: 2 - 2
- Possession: 71% - 29%
- Corners: 6 - 1
- Offsides: 0 - 3
- Fouls: 15 - 19
- Yellow cards: 4 - 3
(All photos by Getty Images)
Group C update
In Group C's other match of the day, Germany have been held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Israel.
The teams each scored in the opening half hour before Eden Karzev picked up his second booking and was sent off right before half-time.
Germany piled on the pressure in the second half but were unable to find the winning goal, seeing a Jessic Ngankam penalty saved with 10 minutes to go.
The result leaves England free and clear in first place after matchday one.
Group C table
- England: 3 points
- Germany: 1 pt
- Israel: 1 pt
- Czech Republic: 0 pts
(All photos by Getty Images)
Ramsey takes the plaudits
Jacob Ramsey, who scored England's opening goal less than two minutes into the second half, has been named the Player of the Match.
(All photos by Getty Images)
Rare opening victory for England
England have won their opening match at the European Under-21 Championship for the first time since 2009, when they beat Finland 2-1 en route to reaching the final of that edition of the tournament.
They had failed to win six straight opening matches at the competition since then.
(All photos by Getty Images)
England own head-to-head
After a pair of wins in qualifying for this tournament, this is now the third time England have beaten the Czech Republic at this level in the past two years.
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Smith Rowe's goal
(All photos by Getty Images)
FT: England 2-0 Czech Republic
Smith Rowe's goal proves to be the match's final action as England take all three points!
GOAL! England seal the win!
90+4' England 2-0 Czech Republic
England win the ball in midfield and the Czechs are in trouble with so many bodies forward.
Archer breaks free down the left wing before setting Smith Rowe up for a simple tap-in!
Karabec goes to ground
90+3' England 1-0 Czech Republic
Karabec gets into the England box with the ball. He is draped all over the back of Jones before going to ground, earning himself a yellow card and England a much-desired free kick.
England on the attack
90+2' England 1-0 Czech Republic
England are the more likely side to score at the moment, as Smith Rowe and Elliott come close to creating a real scoring chance.
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Stoppage time
90+1' England 1-0 Czech Republic
Four minutes are added on to the end of the match.
Final two changes for England
89' England 1-0 Czech Republic
Gibbs-White is replaced by Elliott and Aarons is replaced by Johnson.
Both sides are out of subs now.
England keeping ball in Czech territory
87' England 1-0 Czech Republic
England are succeeding in keeping the ball pinned deep in the Czechs' territory, earning a succession of corner kicks. England have dominated possession all match but the Czech Republic have demonstrated a real danger on the counter-attack.
Ramsey booked
84' England 1-0 Czech Republic
Ramsey is booked for stopping the Czechs from taking a free kick quickly.
Final change for Czech Republic
82' England 1-0 Czech Republic
The Czechs make their fifth and final change, bringing on Valenta for the captain Kaloc.
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Triple change for England
79' England 1-0 Czech Republic
England make their first changes of the match, bringing on Archer, Smith Rowe and Skipp for Gordon, Madueke and Gomes.
Big chance for Czech Republic
77' England 1-0 Czech Republic
The Czechs have their best chance of the second half, as Karabec delivers a perfect free kick into the England box that Danek heads just over the crossbar.
A warning sign for England as they attempt to hold on to their slim lead.
Gibbs-White making amends
74' England 1-0 Czech Republic
Gibbs-White wants to make up for his infraction that ruled out Gordon's goal. He plays the Newcastle man into the Czech box but the defence manages to turn him away. Moments later, Gibbs-White lashes a pass across the face of goal that just needs a touch to be turned in for a goal, but no team-mate is there.
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