England U21s 1-0 Portugal U21s: Anthony Gordon scores winner to seal semi-final spot

Anthony Gordon’s first-half end sealed England a spot within the European Under-21 Championship semi-finals as they defeated Portugal in Georgia.

Portugal hit the bar by Henrique Araujo within the second half.

But Lee Carsley’s facet, but to concede a aim on this match, held out and can face Israel on Wednesday.

They wanted to present defensive resilience to win in Kutaisi, as Portugal had them underneath strain for lengthy intervals after the break.

Victory secured a spot within the closing 4 of the competitors for the primary time since 2017, and stored alive hopes of lifting a trophy they final received in 1984.

Having already crushed Israel 2-0 within the group stage, England will definitely really feel they’ve a robust likelihood to attain subsequent Saturday’s closing.

Carsley reverted to the group who began England’s opening match of the match, a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic on 22 June.

They might have been in entrance within the fourth minute, when Curtis Jones shot extensive from the sting of the field after Madueke, Gibbs-White and Anthony Gordon had mixed to create the opening.

Then Gordon was fed by by Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey’s go, however his first-time shot from a good angle was saved by Celton Biai.

Portugal got here shut by Wolves ahead Pedro Neto, after a cross into the field was not totally cleared by James Garner, however his low shot was saved by James Trafford within the England aim.

Tiago Dantas regarded sure to rating simply earlier than half-time however captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis made an important block.

Araujo’s header was England’s greatest second-half scare, however regardless of having loads of strain, Portugal couldn’t create a transparent sufficient likelihood to discover a method by.

‘It wasn’t as if we had been on battery save mode – Portugal had been good’

England, who received all three of their group video games in reaching the quarter-finals, have been extensively praised for his or her attacking soccer.

However, Portugal had been a step up in high quality, and Carsley’s facet spent giant intervals of the second half with out the ball.

“We have to give Portugal loads of credit score,” Carsley stated. “They pressed us very well, they had been aggressive with their positioning.

“We could not management it. It wasn’t as if we had been on battery save mode, Portugal had been good. It ought to give the gamers nice confidence understanding that they will beat doubtlessly the favourites.”

One setback was a second-half ankle damage to Ramsey, seen on crutches after the match and a doubt for Wednesday’s semi-final.

“We’ll assess Jacob tomorrow. We will not be taking any probabilities,” Carsley stated.

“If there’s an opportunity of a participant with injections, they will not be doing that. It’s nonetheless improvement soccer. Jacob’s in good fingers. It’s arduous to inform. He’s bought loads of numbness in his foot and ankle.”