England 1-0 Portugal: Anthony Gordon nets winning goal as Young Lions advance to U21 Euros semi-finals

England are through to the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship following a hard-fought 1-0 win over 2021 finalists Portugal. Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon scored what proved the winning goal in the 34th minute as James Trafford kept a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the tournament. Ad They will meet Israel, who they have already defeated 2-0 in the tournament, in Batumi on Wednesday.

U-21 EuroSupreme England dump Germany out of U21 Euros to remain perfect28/06/2023 AT 19:18 England boss Lee Carsley made eight changes from the side that beat Germany in their final Group C game but only two from the side that overcame Israel, with Max Aarons and Jacob Ramsey coming in for Ben Johnson and Emile Smith-Rowe. Portugal fashioned the first opportunity when James Garner sliced a clearance with Pedro Neto pouncing on the half-volley and forcing Trafford into a save at his near post. Gordon tested Portugal goalkeeper Celton Biai with a first-time angled shot before breaking the deadlock from 10 yards out from a Morgan Gibbs-White cross.

It was a much-improved performance from Portugal after the restart as they played with more urgency. There was a scare for the retreating Young Lions when Levi Colwill’s clearance was blocked inside his own penalty area and deflected into the hands of a grateful Trafford. Francisco Conceiceo almost levelled with a curling shot that drifted just wide as Portugal ramped up the pressure.