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England got off to a strong start at the European Under-21 Championship, beating the Czech Republic 2-0 to go top of Group C.
It was the first time since 2009 that an England side has won its opening match at the tournament, and Germany’s 1-1 draw with Israel in the other game makes the Three Lions standalone group leaders.
Noni Madueke hit the bar early on, but England came under pressure in the first half in Batumi and had goalkeeper James Trafford to thank for keeping the score level at the break.
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They turned the tide in the second half, going in front two minutes after the restart through Jacob Ramsey.
The Aston Villa midfielder exchanged passes with Anthony Gordon before bursting into the box and finding the bottom corner.
England sealed the three points deep in stoppage time when substitute Emile Smith Rowe tapped in from close range, leaving manager Lee Carsley feeling confident.
“Really pleased to get the result. The preparation has gone really well,” Carsley said.
“I didn’t want to jinx us before the game by saying that! There’s a brilliant spirit within the lads. We feel like we’re in a good place.”
Next up for England is a clash with Israel on Sunday at 5pm UK time.
“We’ve got a team that ability wise and talent wise is one of the best I’ve seen. It’s hard to put us all in the team,” said Liverpool’s Curtis Jones.
“I just get on the ball, I turn and there’s lads there that I can trust on the ball. It’s easy.”
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In Group D, a blockbuster clash between France and Italy provided goals and controversy galore as Les Bleus ran out 2-1 winners.
Sandro Tonali, who is on the verge of sealing a move from AC Milan to Newcastle, flashed a free-kick wide for the Azzurrini early on before putting a corner on the head of Giorgio Scalvini, whose effort required an acrobatic save.
But France drew first blood midway through the first half when Arnaud Kalimuendo guided a spectacular flicked back-heel finish into the bottom corner from a low cross to bamboozle the Italian defence.
Pietro Pellegri equalised before the break with a towering header from a Tonali free-kick, but France regained the lead just after the hour mark when Bradley Barcola pinched the ball off dozing Destiny Udogie in the box before finishing calmly.
France keeper Lucas Chevalier came to the rescue late on with an incredible string of three saves in a row to deny Italy an equaliser.
Moments later, Loic Bade was sent off for a lunging last-man challenge on Wilfried Gnonto and Italy piled forward in search of a leveller.
Raoul Bellanova’s header struck the inside of the post and came off a line defender before being cleared at the death, leaving the Italian players furiously appealing that the ball had crossed the line – but there was no goal-line technology or VAR available to help their cause.
In the other game, Switzerland came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 as Dan Nodye and Katriot Imeri scored to cancel out Emil Ceide’s early effort.
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