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European Under-21s Championship | Group Stage
Jun 21, 2015 at 5pm UK
 
England national football team

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Lingard (85')

Live Commentary: Sweden Under-21s 0-1 England Under-21s - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of the European Under-21 Championship clash between England Under-21s and Sweden Under-21s.
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A late goal from Jesse Lingard has given England Under-21s a 1-0 win over Sweden Under-21s in the European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic this evening.

The substitute struck the ball on the volley after Sweden keeper Patrik Carlgren punched the ball straight at the midfielder.

The result leaves England second in the Group B table and in contention for a spot in the semi-finals.

Read how all the action unfolded below.


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Good afternoon! England Under-21s will be looking for their first win of the tournament when they kick off against Sweden in around half an hour at the European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic. Both sides have made changes from their first matches, so let's take a look at the team news.

SWEDEN STARTING XI: Calgren, Lindelof, Helander, Augustinsson, Baffo, Lewicki, Hiljemark, Kahlili, Tibbling, Guidetti, Kiese Thelin

ENGLAND STARTING XI: Butland, Jenkinson, Garbutt, Gibson, Moore, Pritchard, Carroll, Redmond, Chalobah, Hughes, Kane

There are two changes for both sides. Gareth Southgate has handed starts to Will Hughes and Alex Pritchard, who both came off the bench against Portugal, with James Ward-Prowse and Jesse Lingard missing out. For Sweden, Alexander Milosevic is suspended after being sent off against Italy, while Sam Larsson drops to the bench, allowing Victor Nilsson Lindelof and Simon Tibbling to start.

There are wuite a few players that will have to be on their best behaviour if they want to play in the final group match. Ben Gibson and Carl Jenkinson and England, as well as Sweden's John Guidetti, Filip Helander and captain Oscar Hiljemark would miss the next match if they were to pick up a booking in this fixture, having all received a yellow card in the opening matches.

In the build up to this match, Sweden coach Hakan Ericson told reporters: "We have great respect for England. They play with a higher tempo than Italy, they run more, and I am sure it will be a game played at a higher pace but we can upset them as well. We have a strategy for how we are going to try to do that but I can't talk about it right now. Our team have a lot of experience. When they got on the bus [after beating Italy] they were celebrating a lot but when they got off it one hour later they were calm. Now they have their focus on England. We got a lot of self-confidence from [the first game]."

Meanwhile, Southgate said at his pre-match press conference: "We totally respect Sweden. We looked closely at their games against France, and it is no coincidence they beat France and came back with ten men against Italy it tells you about the character of their team and we will have to be at our best to win. Sweden are an experienced side, they are very good at what they do. They look to play off the second ball, they flood those areas with players and have good quality and are very resilient and difficult to break down. I have total faith in the group of players. They are a pleasure to work with and I know they will attempt to control possession of the game and we have got to have the ruthless edge that maybe we didn't have in front of goal the other night, I have total confidence we will find that tomorrow."

Last time these two sides met was in the semi-final stage of the 2009 tournament. England let a three-goal lead slip, finishing level at 3-3 at full time, but went on to beat Sweden on penalties.

Sweden's top scorers in their qualifying campaign were Guidetti and Isaac Kiese Thelin, both scoring four goals. Kiese Thelin has been struggling with a heel injury, and missed training yesterday, but is fit enough to take his place in the starting lineup today. Incidentally, England are missing their top scorer from qualifying, Saido Berahino, after he pulled out with an injury the day before the tournament got underway.

PREDICTION! The players will be making their way out ready for kickoff shortly, so it's time to make a prediction. England were expected to top this group, but Sweden looked impressive in their opening fixture, and have a lot of travelling support. England know they must perform today though, so I'm going for a 2-1 win for the Young Lions.

The Sweden supporters are there in their thousands, but there are plenty of English fans at the stadium too:


The players are now on the pitch ready for the pre-match formalities. The anthems are played around the stadium before the action can get underway, and there's some very enthusiastic singing from both sets of players.

The players line up for their team photos and the coin toss. The Sweden fans are really making themselves heard ahead of kickoff.

KICKOFF! England get the action underway.

Harry Kane tries to make his presence felt early on as Baffo gives the ball away on the edge of the box for Sweden, letting the Spurs striker make a run at goal, but Helander recovers it for Sweden.

England have definitely made the brighter start of the two sides as Will Hughes and Nathan Redmond team up down the right, with the Derby winger winning a corner. Luke Garbutt curls it in, but it's swiftly dealt with by the Sweden defenders.

England are dominating possession so far, but are yet to really ask any questions of Patrick Carlgren in the Sweden goal. Alex Pritchard curls a ball into the box from the left flank, but it's an easy take for the keeper to end the threat.

Sweden are starting to close England down quickly as they try to put their opponents under pressure. Jack Butland has to be quick as Abdul Khalili chases down a back pass, but the captain deals with it well. Sweden certainly have plenty of pace, which will cause problems for England if they manage to find a gap.

Sweden are certainly beginning to pose more of a threat as Tibbling fires a long ball forward for Thelin, who loses Liam Moore with ease to leave himself clean through on goal, but his first touch wasn't good enough. Tibbling quickly gets the ball back and tries to put it straight back in, but there's no-one back for it.

Sweden win their first corner of the game as Chalobah has to turn the ball behind to stop Guidetti getting a shot away, but Garbutt is there to clear Khalili's ball back into the box. We're still waiting for either keeper to actually make a save yet.

CHANCE! England catch the Sweden defenders off guard with a quick counter-attack as Hughes slid the ball through the middle for Redmond, but Carlgren rushes off his line to boot it clear. Hughes has definitely been a good addition to England's starting lineup so far, he's getting the ball through to the likes of Redmond and Kane, which is what was missing against Portugal.

Sweden head back down the other end and force a corner. England struggle to clear Kahlili's delivery, which eventually allows Tibbling a shot, but it's well wide of the target.

CHANCE! Hughes is on the charge again making another blistering run down the right flank, where he has been dominant so far. He crosses it in for Redmond, but his finishing touch isn't great, leaving Carlgren to claim it with ease, although it was probably going over anyway.

CHANCE! Sweden break again, with Guidetti pulling the ball back from the right hand side of the penalty box for Tibbling, leaving the midfielder to hit it on the half-volley from just inside the area, but Butland gets down low to block it.

CHANCE! Harry Kane has been quiet since the opening couple of minutes, but he's just had the best chance of the match so far. Carl Jenkinson gets forward on the right, flicking in a superb cross for the striker, who meets it with a diving header, but nods just wide of the post.

CHANCE! Hughes has been creating most of England's chances so far, but this time he's the one with the opportunity to turn it in as Pritchard picks him out with a cross from the left, but the Derby man's header is deflected behind for a corner. Incidentally, senior team manager Roy Hodgson is keeping a close eye on the Young Lions this evening:


CHANCE! England have added a bit more pace to their attack in the last 10 minutes and it's certainly having an impact. Tom Carroll tries his luck with a 20-yard lob, but it ends up going well wide.

There's a worrying moment for Sweden as Thelin, who is already carrying a heel problem, is brought down by a challenge from Chalobah and is left clutching his left calf. Initially he looks to be in quite a bit of pain, but he's soon back on his feet, much to the relief of the Sweden fans.

England have a free kick in a promising position on the right, but Garbutt's cross in from the set piece is poor. It's a bit of a waste as England had plenty of bodies in the box, but the delivery wasn't high enough to clear the wall.

There's another injury concern for Sweden now as Guidetti goes down in a clash with Moore. However, it's soon quite clear that Guidetti was caught in a rather sensitive area, but manages to run it off.

CHANCE! England are showing a bit more urgency as half time approaches, with Pritchard attempting to smash the ball into the bottom corner, but Baffo is back to make the block.

CHANCE! Will Hughes is hacked down by Lindelof just outside the box, giving England a free kick in a decent position. It's Kane who takes it, but his finish lacks power, leaving Carlgren with a comfortable save.

CHANCE! Sweden ease the pressure inside the own penalty area with a shot down the other end. Guidetti bursts into the box to control a long ball over the top, smashing it on the half volley on the edge of the box, but Butland gives to stop it creeping into the bottom left.

HALF TIME: Sweden Under-21s 0-0 England Under-21s

England's wait for their first goal of the tournament continues as they reach half time goalless against Sweden. Gareth Southgate's side have certainly had the better of the chances, but have looked vulnerable on the counter-attack, and haven't made the most of their possession. If Sweden are as good in the second half today as they were after the break against Italy, then England could be in trouble.

In the opening 45 minutes, England had 62% possession, and created eight chances to Sweden's six, but just one of the Young Lions' shots was on target, while Butland has been tested by half of Sweden's efforts.



England have options on the bench, such as Danny Ings and Benik Afobe should Southgate feel the need to add a bit more fire power to his side.

The players are starting to make their way back out ready for the second half, and it looks like England will be making a change.

SUB! Danny Ings in coming on, replacing Will Hughes. It's not a surprise to see Ings coming on, but Hughes's withdrawal is a bit odd as he was excellent in the opening 45 minutes.

RESTART! Sweden get the match back underway.

Ings is getting involved early on as Kane makes a superb run in from the left, rounding Khalili before crossing in for his striker partner, but the substitute is outmuscled at the post, and the ball goes behind for a corner.

England have made a bright start again in the second half as Garbutt gets forward down the left, looking to help set something up for Kane and Ings who are waiting in the middle, but the defender is offside as the ball is played forward.

Pritchard plays the ball through to Kane from the half-way line, but he loses his footing as he makes the pass and appears to have twisted his ankle. The physio is having a look at the midfielder, but Jesse Lingard already appears to be warming up ready to replace the Spurs man. He's been lively in midfield for England today, so would be a bit loss.

England are on the attack again, with Kane waiting in the middle as Carroll plays it forward, but Ings just drifts offside.

SUB! England have to make a second change as Pritchard is unable to continue, and it is indeed Jesse Lingard who takes his place.

Sweden seem happy just to left England run at them for the time being, as they're keeping the Young Lions inside their own half at the moment. Chalobah tries to force something with a long ball forward, but it's straight out the back for a goal kick, wasting an opportunity for the English side.

This really hasn't been the most captivating performance since the restart from either side. England are continuing to see the majority of the possession, but Sweden are too well organised at the back to give Southgate's side too many sights of goal.

Should England draw this evening, they would not be eliminated at this stage, but they would be depending on other results and need to win their final group match against Italy.

After a rather flat spell, England finally manage to ask a couple of questions of the Sweden defenders as Jenkinson plays the ball in for Kane, who tries to turn towards goal, but is being too closely marked. As his shot is blocked, Jenkinson tries to get a follow-up effort away, but fires wide.

Sweden are looking sharp down the other end as Khalili makes a run through the middle before trying to pick out Guidetti, but Garbutt is ready to make the block for England. Ings tries to get himself ready for a counter-attack, but is offside. That's the second time he's been offside since coming off the bench.

BOOKING! Abdul Kahlili is the first player to go in the book as he objects to the referee not awarding him a free kick after clashing with Chalobah in midfield, talking himself into a yellow card.

Sweden have a corner, which Augustinsson whips is excellently. Helander tries to get him boot to it, but it's actually Ben Gibson who has the final touch, just turning it wide of his own post. That was worryingly close to an own goal from the England defender.

PENALTY APPEAL! Sweden want a spot kick as Guidetti curls in an excellent ball for Thelin, who attempts a volley at the far post. However, he takes a tumble under pressure from Garbutt before he can get the shot away and wants a spot kick, but the referee isn't interested. There wasn't a great deal in it to be honest, it would have been very harsh on the England defender if that had been given.

SUB! England make their final change, and it's an interesting one from Southgate as Chelea youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek takes the place of Tom Carroll.

Loftus-Cheek throws himself into the match as he weaves through the midfield before putting the ball in for Moore, but the defender's finish is easily blocked.

SUB! Sweden make their first change of the day as Simon Tibbling heads off to make way for Sam Larrson for the final 10 minutes or so of this match.

BOOKING! Joseph Baffo has made some superb challenges to limit England's chances so far in this match, but he goes in a bit too heavy on Ings, earning himself just the second yellow card of the match.

Loftus-Cheek is causing a few problems for the Sweden defence, using his impressive footwork skills to break into the box before chipping the ball forward for Ings. The newly-signed Liverpool man takes a tumble, but there aren't any appeals for a penalty, although the replays actually show that Baffo definitely caught the striker.

SUB! Sweden make another substitution, bringing on Mikael Ishak in place of John Guidetti.

CHANCE! Ishak makes his presence felt immediately, unleashing a potent low strike from out wide 20 yards out. It's bounces just in front of Butland, but the England keeper reads it well to make the save.

CHANCE! England really need to find a late goal if they're to have any real hope of progressing in this tournament, and Nathan Redmond goes for a rather optimistic effort from 25 yards out. He hits is superbly though, forcing the keeper to turn it behind for a corner.

GOAL! Sweden Under-21s 0-1 England Under-21s (Jesse Lingard)

It's been a long wait, but what a fantastic finish from Jesse Lingard to hand England a lifeline in the Under-21 championship. Carlgren punches the corner away, but it drops to the Manchester United youngster on the edge of the box, and he smashes it first time on the volley, leaving the keeper no chance.

SUB! Sweden make their final change as Abdul Khalili makes way for Robin Quaison.

Lingard is pressing forward again as England try to make sure Sweden don't get a chance to force a late equaliser. He can't get on the end of a long ball into the box though, giving Sweden a goal kick. Sweden look a little flat after letting the goal in, having presumable thought that they had done enough to get the draw.

England are just trying to run the clock down as the match heads into three minutes of stoppage time, keeping the ball at the corner flag to waste a few seconds, while Kane gives away a free kick for bringing down Hiljemark.

CHANCE! England are living dangerously as Moore has to block a Quaison effort, giving away a corner. Hiljemark gets up high looking for the header, but mistimes his jump. Thelin is there to pick it up, but his finish goes wide, much to the relief of the England defenders.

FULL TIME: Sweden Under-21s 0-1 England Under-21s

Well, Jesse Lingard's late strike is enough to keep England alive in the European Under-21 Championship. His stunning late volley was one of very few moments of quality in a lacklustre performance from both sides, but all that matters for England is that they have three points.

There's obviously still work to be done if this side is going to challenge for the title, but the performances of Lingard and fellow substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek will give Gareth Southgate plenty to think about ahead of their crucial final group match against Italy.

That's all from this match, but stick around as we will also be bringing you live coverage from the other fixture in Group B this evening, with Portugal taking on Italy. Thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.

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England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate gives instructions to his players during a training session at St Georges Park on September 3, 2013
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