FULL MATCH | England U21 9-1 Serbia U21 | UEFA Euro 2025 Under-21 Championship Qualifying Group F

coach Duan georgevich hasn't been in position for long having taken over during the summer but he started his tenure with a win last month and hopes this group of players can return Serbia to the finals in 2025 after missing out on the last two I guess he'd probably settle for a point wouldn't he Clive I think he would Simon but for all of these young Serbian players to come into a premier league stadia they will know so much about the Premier League I'm sure have Ambitions of one day playing it and and uh a great opportunity for them this evening good technicians probably will be England's toughest test in this group yeah absolutely Mio ilich a central Defender want to keep an eye on wearing number three tonight he scored both goals against aaban last week and also Marco latic a 19-year-old on loan Fortuna card from AC Milan well this is how the uh the group table in group F looks at the moment England leading the way after their opening fixture that 3-0 win away to Luxembourg the European Champions facing Challengers Serbia tonight second in the group and then Ukraine away on Monday Northern Ireland up to Fourth following today's win over aaban but as you can see they've played more matches than anybody else well much to look forward to tonight as International Football returns to the city ground this evening and everybody pays their respects to Trevor Francis and Francis Lee who passed away during the summer Trevor Francis uh wonderful player Francis Lee as well such an integrable integral figure at Manchester City part of the very fabric of the club and Trevor Francis of course a European Cup winner at the city ground with Nottingham Forest yeah greatly uh remembered I'm sure Trevor playing for burningham City and Nottingham Forest in this part of the world and the great Francis Lee playing for Manchester City Derby but also going on to actually be the chairman of Manchester City in his time two wonderful players what about Lee carsley who we're looking at there um his assistant Ashley Cole sitting he's just obscured at the moment Ashley Cole uh today announced as as joining Wayne Rooney at Birmingham city in a new Venture but he will um also still retain his International commitments with England under 21 absolutely I think he he he obviously assisted Lee Carley in what was a magnificent compa uh campaign first time England had won the under 21 championships in 40 years Le Carley added pressure I have to say as holders of this competition but we'll be very confident with The Talented group that he now works with in this campaign yeah it's interesting though is that you get a great group for players and you know they lift a trophy like that then suddenly half of them have have had to disappear yeah I think that's uh always always the brief at this level is that progression to move those players we've experienced through the under 21s into the senior Squad and that's exactly what England have done to great effect over the last few years yeah the structure seems much better doesn't it now C when you look at it you know a lot of the players that that won in the summer have had to move on but the next crop coming through many of them were under 19 European Champions last year absolutely and I think G Southgate understands that better than anyone having experienced it at this level before moving on to the full national team coach well it's England's first home match since lifting the European championship trophy in the summer some of the faces have already changed such as the cyclical cycle of under 21 football but for England and these fans in Nottingham it's the chance to celebrate success on the international stage England 's first Euro under 21 title in 39 years tonight they face a Serbia team who have a a rich history in the competition winning as Yugoslavia in 1978 and three times finishing as Runners up but they haven't qualified for the last two final tournaments and lost all three group stage matches on their last appearance in [Applause] 2019 [Music] those all [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] glor [Applause] [Music] all [Music] England haven't conceded a goal for seven matches now including all six at the finals in the summer [Applause] let's take a look at the lineups singland make four changes from the Luxembourg game last time out three of them at the back due to injuries with bashier humph Charlie Creswell and Jared branway coming into the side further forward Jaden filene of Hull City makes his debut in preference to Sam illing Jr who drops to the bench Cole Palmer captains the team and is one of only two starting tonight who did so in the Euro final against Spain goalkeeper James Trafford is the [Music] as for tonight's visitors Serbia make three changes from last month's opening qualifier Victor Rogan comes in at right back as the defense is reshuffled Mio stanovich of St Gallen makes his debut in Midfield instead of Alexa Matik and up front there's a first appearance too for 19-year-old Marco lazic who's on loan at Fortuna card from AC Milan Mio IL scored both goals in the 2-nil win over aaban Stephan mitovich also played for the senior team in their Euro qualifier against Lithuania last month he has two full [Music] [Applause] [Music] caps tonight's officials by the way are from Germany referee Sven yablonski took charge of the UEFA European under 19 final this year between Portugal and Italy he was on Fourth official Duty for the Arsenal PSV game in the Champions League last month so almost ready to go Jared branway one of those coming into the England team he's having a good run with Everton at the start of the new season having had invaluable experience which included European football with PSV einthoven on loan last month well the players will now gather around the center circle and we will have a moment of reflection as we remember those and think of those who've lost their lives or been affected by the events of recent days in the Middle [Music] East sh [Applause] impeccably observed the uh the city of Nottingham the city ground awaits this uh famous stadium has hosted International Football before not least at Euro 96 there the number nine for England Liam dap leading the attack tonight yeah really looking forward to Liam leading the line he's a traditional type Center forward scored in the first game he's actually playing his trade in the championship at the moment but certainly is a a real talent and a traditional type Center forward hudi coming off the right at Chelsea I think that combination poses the real threat that England carry this evening yeah non madoi on the right hand side for England uh really Keen to see jayen filene as well on his under 21 debut he too is in the championship now with Hull having made the move from Aston Villa just before the transfer deadline Sven yablonsky makes one final check of his watch and England in the white shirts get us underway at the city ground in this 2025 under 21 Euro qualifier England against Serbia as the ball is played forward by mitrovic Serbia looking to make a fast start but England already on the front foot that's a Hayden Hackney playing it away to the far side and filene chasing hard but Rogan there first well an England group that is so full of confidence on the front foot interesting to see obviously with this fantastic defensive record that they had how the three changes at the back will impact the team but a Bright Start from England Don madoi with a little layoff back out of the penalty area kept collected initially by Cole Palmer here's Rico Lewis as England settle down and Charlie Creswell gives James Trafford a first touch of the ball seven matches for England under 21s without without conceding a goal in a row for James Trafford well that that is just uh phenomenal at any level but a a group a young group of players who will have great confidence in the way that they Shape Up defensively and have the ability on the counter in attacking phases a play oh it's lovely bit of play there Clive by Cole Palmer and still and he's found his way past half of seria's Team there on the near side well he felt the last touch was off the Serbian Defender but you can see the confidence flowing through the England Captain wonderful balance of poise in the way that he could just drag it off of that left foot yeah I think uh he's a little bit unfortunate not to win the first corner of the game yeah absolutely we've spoken before the match about the uh the amount of change that Lee Carley as as England's head coach will will have to deal with just to let you know from the team that started the final of the Euros in in the summer against Spain James Trafford who has the ball now and Co pmer the captain the only two starting tonight who started that final non madoi and Harvey Elliot came off the bench in the final Charlie Creswell and Jared branway were unused substitutes so there's there's quite a high turnover as there always is of course at yeah absolutely I think that um Lee Lee Carley will be under no Illusions he had a fabulous group that won this competition last time around he knows he's got to start again but with the confidence that a number who were involved in that final at the end of the summer they will bring I think a real belief and confidence to this group ball collected in Midfield by Nicola stankovich away to Victor Rogan who wins the throw you would think on paper in terms of the group that England against Serbia and the reverse fixure they would be the the toughest games for the for the favored teams yeah absolutely I would I think that jovic the coach will be believing that his team can run England close in terms of qualifying from this group that has to be his expectation and that would be what they'd be looking to do he knows this is the most difficult game that they should face in this group yeah quick look at Duan georgevich there who took over in in June several seasons of managerial experience in Serbia Traer their challenge by Marco latic little over enthusiastically yeah he lays down in The Challenge on Trafford but he just he just delayed it a fraction to give him the the incentive to come and try to pinch it from him did did [Music] Trafford forward towards filene lovely turn away from Rogan Jaden filene looking sharp looking bright gets to the deflection and very nearly the opening goal of the match 4 minutes into his under 21 debut W what an early contribution from villing the touch control he turns inside and then when he checks expecting him to pass it just drops his shoulder back onto his right side Wicked deflection look to be taking it over the keeper that's a fine save from illit to tip it over yeah velco illich with a super stop there he plays his football for batka topa they're involved in European football this season as Cole Palmer takes this corner for England and the header goes wide from Charlie Creswell it looked like a great chance well that is a quite incredible delivery from the England Captain Palmer and he should have been headed out on target I don't think you can quite believe that he's missed the target arrives in the six-yard Box Powers the header but poers it a yard wide what an opportunity for England to take the lead oh was a glorious chance for Charlie Creswell the lead United Defender winning his 13th cat one of the more experienced players at this level for England well he'll have no easier chance to score for the under 21s than that one Simon it's a good Bright Start to the game or there'll be a free kick there and the referee will that's latic again who had a little nip at traford a couple of minutes ago absolutely and the referee just said exactly that Simon that's the second time you've made that challenge in that manner and that is late that is dangerous and he picks up a yellow it's uh certainly giving Jared bran waight a look at his studs there wasn't he uh Marco latic goes into the book on his under 21 debut 19 years of age lazich mentioned that he's uh he's on the books at Milan but he's on Loan in the the era deisy in the Netherlands with Fortuna sard he's come off the bench for them three times in the league so far this season well I'm sure a lot of ner nervous energy for lazich the opportunity to play here this evening but he has to be really careful now that was nicely done by Trafford and collected here by Rico Lewis for England who's playing in that right back position but as you can see we'll go into the Midfield to make the extra body as he does for his Club Manchester City making an extra body in the Midfield area really adapt at playing in this way Rico Lewis amazing isn't it I mean he's a lot younger than most of the other players on the pitch isn't he 18 and yet he's made 30 appearances for Manchester City's first team already well the the when pep guarda is singing your Praises you know he must be an unbelievable Talent he certainly is here he is again from right back in that Central Midfield position he's looking for madoi on the near side can't find a way past MIT eralash who in turn brings Vladimir Luchi into the game Luchi wants the return pass from [Music] Laz lot of nervous en energy from Laz you can see in these opening stages big big big night for him there's plenty of experience uh LED around the dotted around the England team isn't it you mentioned Rico Lewis you look at players like Harvey Elliot who started for Liverpool at Brighton in the Premier League at the weekend madek who's in possession BR wake to name but three is return pass between Lewis and madoi doesn't quite work out Cole Palmer looks in vain at the German referee for a free kick which is not forthcoming here's Marco lazeric not for long Lewis well I think latic actually Clive has got to be very careful there ABS having just had his name taken because there was no attempt to play the ball no he actually k kicked Rico Lewis yes he's he you can see that there's there's so much pent up nervous energy but that is a silly challenge especially after you've just been booked for two two challenges not only a minute ago he really is walking a tight rout now he cannot afford to make one more silly misdemeanor layoff by Harvey Elliot in Midfield back to Creswell who missed that golden opportunity in the F first five minutes of the match Lewis who seeing plenty of the ball in the early stages and feeds it through and very nearly brings madoi into the play but velco illich swiftly off his line he's been in good form at the start of the new season illich five clean sheets in a row in the Serbian Super League between early August and the middle of September and he started well this evening you can you can see there's a confidence and an air about the way he started his performance this evening against England under 21s yeah he has an Assured Air about him mailash sending it Forward lazich wins it in the air the touch on by stanovic possession lost by stankovic England threatening and venturing forward and the shot is not the strongest one in the world from Harvey Elliot well the unfortunate thing was when that ball actually arrives at his feet he swivels and it's on his unfavored right side you can see the left foot's touch was beautiful the right foot shot was very tame but a real talent is Harvey Elliot Good Start Simon two of two very good opportunities creswell's header and then Harvey Elliot strike yeah the the early shot from Jaden filene as well which was brilliantly saved Bright Start for England the European champion on it for the third time in the the summer first time for a long time and Hackney concedes the free kick and he too gets a little bit of a ticking off from referee yablonski yeah just felt he was over aggressive and too physical Hayden Hackney in that Central Midfield position yeah Hayden Hackney who hasn't missed a minute in the championship so far this season for middleb made his debut against Luxenberg last month I've got to say Simon that is a difficult place to learn you trade the championship games that are full on many games backto back but he's performing particularly well for Middlebrook taking in the heart of the England Midfield this evening Lewis T find his Chelsea Club teammate madoi and madoi skips clear of his man looks for an opening and it's deflected stroke shanked over the top of the crossbar In The End by Mio ilich but seria's defense were opened up there and eralash just tried to grab hold of madoi because there was no way that he was going to stop in in any other manner absolutely just the way he received the ball and then skips past the defender you see he's trying to pull him back the shot goes in I think it actually strikes subotic but it's uh filin filin on the left hand side that's offside as the the mudi shot is attempted so it wouldn't have counted had it ended up in the back of the net promising early signs for non madaki on the near side latic has done well there this is Vladimir Luchi and maybe an opportunity here ball rolled forward towards bazic Rogan little room for maneuver and the flag up on the far side well just a little sign I feel there that that Serbia will if they can regain possession high up the pitch will quickly try to Counterattack a little bit sloppy from England in the end they they managed to smother it away yeah ala vagic getting in a a good position here pointing to where he wanted it the ball play just a little too far forward but positive contribution from bazic nonetheless here's madoi once more it's going to be a long Chase for dap and he's beaten to it by Luca subotic yeah Subic tracks the Run of dap they're trying to just feed that down the channel for a power run that certainly the physicality of dap I feel can call cause Serbia problems tonight lovely nutmeg there from cmer into madoi already you can see the understanding between the two young Chelsea starlets th's delivery really good one here's phig DAP in the middle madai and Hackney getting in each other's way yeah another wonderful delivery from Palmer on this right hand side with that W of a left foot that he has this is a goodl looking break here and here's vasic once more chased hard by Stefan mitrovich Trafford controlling the ball beautifully Under Pressure there faral R kns back absolutely that was Fizz back to him in the air and he just brought it down nly superb first touch from the England keeper I just just like the freedom in which England play you can see that there's a confidence there's a belief in the way that they're going about the game moving the ball forward trying to trying to overload in that Central Midfield area but then it's not slow progress It's forward progress with forward passes daps done well but the pass is a little adventurous and too far in front of non madaki yeah big diagonal good start from the captain Cole Palmer though absolutely look at the left foot that he possesses this is a lovely delivery in the lap in the end just can't quite control it on the six-yard box got in a little bit of a a a model England when that ball was rolled back challenge made by uh Creswell Lewis back into grwe bash humre available over on the far side but Harvey Elliot beautiful close control scintillating play from Harvey Elliot into nonim Mandi this is absolutely superb from England and the attack is still alive Rico Lewis is calling for the ball and finally Serbia get it away but there was so much to enjoy from that passage of play absolutely Sensational Harve Elliot run weaving through a number of challenges mki gets to the by line just can't get the cross in but players allowed to express themselves so good to see back with Charlie Creswell who started one match for leads in the championship this season come off the bench in a few others 13 appearances for the lead United first team for him so far moui Harel on the near side Lewis is further ahead of the Liverpool midfielder lovely exchange once more beautifully done now it's h Roo Lewis and it's a point blank save from illich well Simon that was a culating move from England it really was the way that they built up down the right hand side the Reco Le shot goes a cross shot goes in the keeper makes another very very good stop nice some Sensational play from England in the opening 16 minutes of this game and again you know not for the first time you got non madoi heavily involved but uh Jaden filene as well coming in from the other side into the sixy box just total confidence throwing flowing throughout this England under 21 [Music] side sprayed forward by Hayden Hackney flag up well he's been impressive so far hasn't he Belco illich ah some fine stops and none more so than the last one figino arrived as this ball back hill there Harvey Elliot pass touched by mudi cross from Lewis and it just can't quite actually get the ball down the goalkeeper makes an instinctive stop he really does well that's Jaden figin going close twice already in this match but exactly what what you want to see from the the Winger on the opposite side in which the plays being built up that you arrive at that back post there when cross is com in latit knocked out by Victor Rogan he went diving in I think his own teammate ended up on the tech as well there after that challenge yeah he certainly was determined to win position of the ball Trafford calm Under Pressure he's not a goalkeeper is he Trafford not the way he plays with the ball with his feet Lewis timely slip there for stanovich bit of space on the near side eras busy old evening for him trying trying to hold non madoi at arms length the the different positions that that Lewis just pitches up in is just quite incredible and if you're trying to play against him it would be so difficult whether you go and Mark him mark the player that you detailed to be with Lewis causing all sorts of problems and Lewis now feeding It Forward madoi once more deap in the middle and a miss Q yeah poor right foot cross from mudi but a brilliant pass to release him from Lewis again look at the way he just knows exactly where he is plays it into the space it's just a poor right foot cross the Carries On like this CL the action areas will be interesting won't they at Hal time cuz it's all coming down this one side I think it's all coming down the right yeah absolutely Simon and the a lot of it is instrumental from this young man Rico Lewis here's Brant th I think benefited so much from his his lone move to PSV last [Music] season time in possession here for Elliott Liam deap mki heras just can't get anywhere near it be glad to see the ball heading in the other direction with alosha vasic but not for long England have it back here's Hayden Hackney and now madoi once more seeing so much of the ball in the opening 20 minutes lovely little touch and very nearly a fine finish into the bottom corner and you could just see the frustration mudi does everything right starts by Hackney's brilliant interception then the interplay with him he drives forward with the ball feeds the Winger wide just keeps himself on side lovely little interplay here and then the the drop of the shoulders fantastic just m kicks it m kicks the strike after what was another superb England move that little drop of the shoulder to create the added space for himself was superb well the hardest thing is to actually finish it off and that's really what led him down he just strikes with the left foot but bangs it into the ground and pulls it slightly wide at the Target again superb England buildup just the finishing at the moment is not as crisp as it could be this is bran weight philin he's got Basher Humphrey's in support on the far side philin Elliot with the return and filene just beaten to it by illich there's a lovely variety and vim and vigor and Fizz about the way England are moving the ball absolutely you saw fil generic knowledge the attempted pass by CL Elliot he's attacking from that wide left position but getting himself in field getting himself into the 18 yd box which is really good to see lay off and then attacks the space Harvey Elliot just can't Loop it into his path but some wonderful beautiful England play almost Midway through the half well I think Lee carsley standing in a technical be absolutely delighted with the way that his team started but disappointed that they haven't open the scoring or even one or two strikes this evening Vladimir LC sent it on here's Movic and humph safely sees it out over on the far side lash humph he's another one playing in the championship in England at the moment in South Wales with Swansea on loan for from Chelsea yet another one of the excellent young players coming out of Stanford bridge and also another one who's gain valuable experience abroad the first half of the year was on loan at pad ball well even these talented youngsters don't always make their way at their their home clubs they have to go out gain experience and then return to force or try to force their way into the first teams rare opportunity here for Serbia to try to create something underneath the crossbar and very confidently taken by Trafford good handling excellent takes it at his high point and then setland on their way Elliot wants it on the near side madai is still going Jaden ferene collects daps calling for it as well and sliding in to save the day there V luch popping up on the right hand side of their back line yeah he really shouldn't be there but luckily for soil he was the two Wingers England Wingers end up on the leftand side and once again asking questions of Serbia defensively but they will be happy just to have conceded another Corner C Palmer who's been starting to get into his stride with his new club Chelsea in recent matches sends it over it's not the best delivery we've seen from him this evening no little too flat it was flat and fast at that near post area under hit here he is again wonderful first touch second one was pretty good too roer trying to claim a goal kick but just the way the balance and the Poise that Palmer has is quite breathtaking at times looks languid but beautiful balance over it comes from Palmer lovely flight on it branway get getting his head to the ball but uh a little Wayward with the direction and it's back out with Palmer once again the England Captain brilliant here's Lewis well there's been some very very impressive performances in this opening 24 minutes for England hacking in the heart of that Midfield Rico Lewis mudi off the right Kyle Palmer the captain there are so many positives for leag cars Elliot using the full width of the field before taking his place in the middle and hoping that Cole Palmer can pick him out lovely play from Palmer hacky away to humph just a young group of England talent that are losing confidence they really are Aiden Hackney sends it Forward here's Elliot across dilap stretching and it's behind of eralash and Harvey Elliot who's had a wonderful start as well the way he receives the ball in the half turn the awareness in between Serbian Defenders but fizzes the cross through he deap just a fraction away from getting his boots on [Applause] it non madoi Palmer nearby here's Lewis and Harvey Elliot with the shot yeah just caught it slightly underneath him so and can't can't actually strike it and keep it down he's had to dig it out from underneath him as the ball pops back LS cross it comes back out to him you can see just underneath him he can't keep it down has to almost chip it and it ends up just creeping over the crossbar har Elliot who came off the bench in the the Euro final against Spain in the summer last seven minutes of the game now one would think going into this qualification process an integral member of the starting 11 he certainly looks it so far that was good play though by stankovic initially collected by Vladimir luic bazic could be a chance it's a goal brilliant goal Vladimir Luchi for Serb well that was unexpected it was fabulous play from Serbia the first time they've combined higher up the field and as this ball comes back this is a difficult execution from luch and he side foots it into the top Corner giving Trafford absolutely no chance you can see the Euphoria amongst the Serbian Squad they can't quite believe it England have dominated this hoping half an hour but find themselves behind well this is one of their more experienced players the 21-year old who plays for Red Star he's been in the Champions League this season he came off the bench against Manchester City he played the 90 on Match day two against young boys and this is a superb finish it really is the way lets it run across his body the side Foot Right Foot attempt that he just arrows into the top Corner that is superb we talked about England's lack of finishing LC has just given a a as an example of perfect a perfect strike well what a first half what a first opening 27 and A2 minutes it's been so much to enjoy about the way England have played football but then a goal of the highest quality from Serbia yeah technically a fabulous constructed uh move from Serbia that was finished brilliantly it really was we have a fabulous game on we do actually as the ball is played forward towards Harvey Elliot and it was a little too close to Jaden philene there and what happens now Simon is England just might start to force the issue Serbia have something to hang on to they can make it very very frustrating England have to be very patient and continue in the same vein they've created chances I can only see them creating more they have to believe that the way that they're playing this game to carry on in the same way Rico Lewis collecting for England surrounded but not dispossessed and just venturing a little too far forward there was madai the flag going up well we shouldn't be entirely surprised by the the technical skill we saw in the the nature of the goal from Serbia that part of Europe renowned for some very very good footballers over the years and we shouldn't forget that Serbia won the under 21 Euros way back when it when it started really his competition back in 1978 as Yugoslavia they are the sole direct descendants of the the Yugoslavia team three time Runners up as well 1990 2004 and 2007 they they haven't fared so well in recent years in fact they haven't qualified for the last two but never underestimate the individual quality of some of the players from that part of Europe absolutely I think over the years we've come to to to see some wonderfully Tech technically gifted players to that chasing and velco ilich well there was only going to be one winner there and he is he really has started the game well for his country there's no doubt he's been the star man for me it was a sensational Luchi finish but illich in that Serbian goal has been excellent yeah two really good saves in particular from philene and here he is [Applause] now proving to be quite a handful but Victor Rogan bided his time then just got a bang on the back of the head there inadvertently from the boot of the English Winger well he fell over it was accidental that he he got caught on the side of the head but he's okay and he's up and that's that's good to see now with Lewis who likes to wander well he pops up in so many interesting positions you have to say but a wonderful technician himself madai sliding it through delat will chase he won't get there when I say he likes to WAND I'm not suggesting through any sort of tactical ill discipline and precisely the opposite in fact absolutely Simon he's given license to do that to go into areas to overload those areas make the extra body has the technical ability to keep the ball when he's when he's in those those different you would say different areas of the field he's now in the center circle is he a right back not not at this moment in time he's a central Midfield player Aiden Hackney lays it off and of course who's there to collect it in the center circle Rico Lewis well I think he run into Hackney did vasic the referees stopped the play England were building up it certainly wasn't anything malicious I think it was just a a bump between Hackney and vasic just looks like a bit of an issue in the rib cage area or is it his elbow I'm not quite sure I think it's his rib cage let's have a look here what happened oh he got caught in the ribs by the elbow of Hayden Hackney didn't he yeah he's just holding him off he was he didn't strike him Simon and fic can be painful though he can might well have been winded so alosha vasic received some treatment and there MAA eralash he's been very busy chasing Shadows the left back with madai causing all manner of difficulty particularly in the in the opening 15 20 minutes or so yeah there's been some wonderful inter playay Morgan Gibbs white among the the crowd looking on of course he was such a a key figure for England under 21s wasn't he cve and this is where he pies his trade these days at the city ground in the Premier League yeah and has been absolutely fantastic for Nottingham Forest this season well it does look as if uh yosa vasic will be okay we'll be back on the field uh shortly bazic another one with good International experience in terms of his Club football he's with palmo in Seri B in Italy came through at padava hopefully he'll be back on the pitch any moment yeah he's just coming on now so if you've just tuned in you've missed a decent half hour or so a football England have played some lovely stuff but Serbia have scored a cracking goal yeah it's been a very very good contest of an opening 20 minutes in particular from England that was breathtaking but they couldn't find a way to open the scoring and then Serbia with a moment of real quality I have to say took the lead with the most memorable Luc luik finish this is Charlie Creswell BR way to along side him Humphrey's on the far side on the halfway line and Hackney dropping back the defensive midfielder that was uh Jaden filene as well coming a bit deep Trafford loves to play with his feet yeah I've got to say I I do love the rotation from this England side Wingers who will come in field fullbacks who will go into Central Midfield positions interchanging great freedom in the way that they're allowed to play philene he's got uh humph available on the far side Hackney decides to bring it this way VIA Creswell towards madoi looking Lively again interception Falls at the feet of Jaden philene trying to tiptoe his way through the heart of Serbia's defense yeah just couldn't get it out of his feet to find the opportunity to strike filene another delivery from Cole Palmer bang on the money again right on dap's head yeah and he acknowledges the cross from Cole Palmer does Liam dap Corner [Music] one well crowd trying to play their part they're just trying to lift England again after the surprise goal that was conceded remember Creswell has had one really good opportunity with a header from a set play off it comes and madai just really catch that not that it was necessarily an easy thing to do I just thought he had time he could have taken that down look at the space he's in he had the opportunity to take a control before attempting the shot Just Hits him down that left shin in the end well one by Creswell collected in Midfield there by vasic stankovic losing possession madai now surging forward lovely did the ball in and a save again from ilich and madai then can't get hold of the ball either and D with a great chance there but denied Again by velco ilich Serbia's goalkeeper Luca subotic is the defender down on the ground inside his own penalty area Simon he should have scored this is a brilliant one from mukad and just as he slides that into theps PA I think he's trying to lift it over the goalkeeper but doesn't get the purchase to get it over the top of him and illit again makes a good stop stays big and manages to stop the attempt from dap his big chance of the night so far England passing up four glorious opportunities yeah dap with a goal against Luxenberg in the 3-0 win in the opening qualifier last month two goals and 11 appearances in the championship for Haron loan so far this season and a good opportunity for Lee Carley side to draw level has not been taken yeah and that would be the great disappointment if they get to halim without opening the score in England some fabulous Play Good interchange movement passing and opportunities but no goals to show for it yeah that goal scored by Luchi the first that England's under 21s have conceded in eight matches first one since June against Japan's under 22s in a game shortly before the uh the Euro under 21 finals subtit is fine and finds his goalkeeper safely was given away by illich now here's Jaden figing with a Chance 1 big mistake by the goalkeeper the first he's made tonight and Jaden philene on his under 21 debut rifles at home England won Serbia won well it is the first mistake that he's made illich cannot quite believe it it really is a poor pass but philin still had a lot to do he showed Poise he showed real composure and then a superb strike at the end of it exactly what England deserved in this after this first half performance poor clearance picked up now with a defender in front of him takes the opportunity quite brilliant Brantly the way he moves the ball onto his right hand side opens up the angle and fires it brilliantly into the roof of the net he's played really well hasn't he in this first half he could have had a hatrick Simon he really could with the opportunities that have been there for him um I would say the hardest of the chances he's taken brilliantly so we're all square with seven first half minutes remaining plus whatever our German referees V yablonski decides to add well it is nothing more than England deserved in the way that they've gone about this first half performance that will just settle them as well to go behind in the manner that they did but the response has been superb shamee for L though he's blotted his copy book a bit hasn't he with that because he played exceptionally until that moment when he conceded possession but paid a very high price for it and as you say it wasn't by any means a foregone conclusion that England would score from it but uh Jaden filene certainly did in style and now Harvey Harvey Elliot goes from distance ellich beats it away and it doesn't fall at the feet of Cole palmer but it might easily have done so yeah I just think the pressures again mounting up on Serbia illich it was a good heye for him the Harvey Elliot shot for him to Parry away but again England created chance after chance just takes it out of his feet onto that favored left foot but at that height you'd always expect the goalkeeper to get hands to it which illich did yeah it's been a busy couple of minutes for the goalkeeper from Bacha n madoi sends it forward and cold Tama venturing forward Nicholas stankovic has gone across to no avail it's still Palmer and a very handy interception there by stankovic yeah does well in the end stanovic cuz it looked like as Cole Palmer drags that ball back goes towards the by line he's going to get into a really good Crossing position well Time Tackle Lewis back into Elliot here's Palmer delivered some pinpoint balls into the box during this first half ball swept forward by alosha vasic over on the far side it's Vladimir Luchi who's played on both sides of the field in this first half the little flick on by vasic as he tried to venture forward but safely seen back to the keeper by Creswell yeah first time we've seen fic leave that Central Midfield position was the most advanced of the Serbian players couldn't drag it past humph we're in the last five minutes of the first half a breathtaking first half I have to say thoroughly enjoyable entertaining and some play of the highest quality here's Harvey Elliot of Liverpool sending it forward phene the England goal scorer inter Rico Lewis Lewis is still going evading Mio stanovic lovely easy measured control there from non Madu into Lewis sheer weight of numbers Ser defense got the ball away lovely little quick-footed pass from Rico Lewis nonim madai into K good save by ilich here's Phil once more it's 2-1 England and this time Liam deap finds the back of the net well wonderful perseverance for England some quality play a brilliant madoi back hill which gave K Palmer the first opportunity his side foot was Ted the goalkeeper parried it England kept it alive phillene does really well to turn it back into the six-yard box for dap to smash it home he wasn't going to pass up this opportunity and ilit now conceded to could have been far more and a breathtaking first half from England under 21s thoroughly deserved the lead there's the back hill the tame side foot but filling superb in the way keeps it alive and then dap just fires it into the roof of the net yeah he wasn't about to pass up a second golden opportunity in the space of a few minutes no but some again really scintillating football from England and an emphatic finish from dap it's interesting with uh Jaden philene who scored England's first goal and was part of the buildup there with the second one because unai he was with he was at Aston Villa until the end of the transfer Windows now with Hull City in the championship unai Emer saying when Villa went on their preseason tour in the summer to the United States that he was in emer's word the big surprise in that he was excellent in those games Emory I think I'm sure wanted to keep him around and have him in the squad and use him as and when but clearly he wasn't going to be one of the starting 11 every week and uh the player wanted to play and I think so Villa have sold him uh but they do have I think an option on him should you know should he move on in future they always think that's something that clubs try to protect themselves against here come Seria with h Luchi but it's interesting isn't it I mean he was clearly was a player who really impressed Uno Emir Villa who he wanted to bring him on but the play you know he's at a point in his career where he really wants to just develop through playing he has to play and players of dis ability need to play they need to progress their their careers not quickly but certainly with the experience they there might well be a lack of it if you're in a premier league Squad where you're not playing enough and finding enough minutes you need to go out the championship is a really hard place to learn your trade but philene looks to be a really big Prospect now it's with that dap the confidence will be flowing through his veins a little bit he and non madoi unable to carry it deep into uh Serbia's half of the field it's with h Stefan mitrovic who just tries to move away from the traffic a little bit create a little bit of space and Mio ilich away to the far side and Victor Rogan pass a bit short Hayden Hackney tried to get in there but that was well played by Mio stanovich and Serbia looking for a big finish to this first half at 2-1 down the match has turned around in the latter stages of the opening 45 yeah I think you've got to say that they're trying to respond they're finding it very difficult to hold any control possession for a period of time this this is one of the the best phases of play that they've had in this first half Rogan sends it over and James Trafford just plucks it from the air yeah such confidence and presence James Trafford has in that England goal so minimum of four added minutes to come we'll be absolutely devastated to have conceded the goal but can have really no arguments it was a superb Serbian opening goal but Trafford along with I would say all 11 players so far in this first half England outstanding performance yeah and England for a while now have been been outstanding defense remember they made three changes at the back today because various players are unavailable through injury but James Trafford 13th cap for the under 21s tonight it's only the third goal that he's conceded 10 clean sheets in 12 matches before today yeah incredible in at any level that is an in incredible statistics and to to be fair I don't think there's a goalkeeper in the world who would have saved that shot from ltic into the top Corner uh banging the face or in the eye there for Jaden philene possibly yellow card to Victor Rogan andan yeah he's having a he's having a difficult night against philin I think it's the touch that just went beyond him and then he he literally he just holds ferene off struck struck him across the bridge of the nose there it is that right arm flailing right arm so Victor Rogan going into the book plays for uh chukichi and some running repairs for Jaden filene well it was that touch he just manipulated the ball in behind the Serbian right back and then as his right arm flays across strikes filene across the nose Rogan only had three minutes off off the bench in the first match last month against aaban he's often a substitute for his Club side as well but getting the start this evening and uh like the rest of the Serbia Defenders has had his hands full for much of the first half yeah it's not been an easy evening for him V has been outstanding off of that left side for England they just need to try and Patch him up to get him through the next couple of minutes then they can deal with the nose bleed properly at half time yeah it normally means that uh the cotton war is stuffed up that nose to try to stop the bleeding you can't you can't have any blood on your shirt or you can't be bleeding so he has to leave the field to play I would be surprised if he he stays out for the the last few seconds of this first half deepen outed time at the end of the opening half what can England do here it's Rico Lewis who sent it in in and it's thumped Away by uh the visiting defense so around a minute to go in added time at the end of the half and well they are still patching up philene England the man light will just try to just keep possession take the sting out of the game Run the clock down Palmer in possession you just get the feeling that I mean we've seen it tonight in the way that he's playing but he's really uh starting to settle his KN at Chelsea his new club he came off the bench three times in a row for his first appearances in the league but he started the last couple of games and uh he really playing with a great deal of of confidence and leading England's under 21s tonight the throw in taken by Ma eralash and then forward by ilich collected in Midfield here by stepanovich challenged by Palmer who was just pulled up there not sure whether that was a a whack on the thigh let's hope it was nothing more than that I think it is just a dead leg he's just been struck on that right thigh Stefan mraovic now for Serbia and off Rico Lewis Ricochet is behind so Serbia will finish this first half on the front foot here with a corner yeah and England's still down to 10 men at this moment in time with the Captain Palmer limping as well well they haven't had too many set pieces or opportunities Serbia but this might just be one at the end of this first half yeah it's the goal scorer Lich who will take the corner he's got to aash there with him anxious to just see it out coer still a little uncomfortable but I think he'll be fine one imagines this will be the last action of the opening half yeah as England tried to get philene back in the referee is not going to allow him to come on he's saying that that nose is still bleeding leading oh he's happy enough now so jadden philene back on the pitch for the final few seconds before the [Music] break sends it over haven't really got it away big MCU not once but twice still in the possession of bazic not for long figin gets the ball away and Elliot sends it forward looking for madoi collected here by Rico Lewis who looked as though he was fouled there by Mio ilich oh there was a couple of challenges that the referee let go and plays continue at advantage Harvey Elliot finds dap Elliot on the followup picks up the loose pieces is still going here Harvey Elliot oh what a way to finish the first half in style 3-1 England well I'm going to give the referee fabulous credit there for allowing a couple of challenges to go unpunished Advantage given and in the end England with that Advantage take a 3-1 lead nothing more than they deserve after an absolutely Sensational first half performance and harell he's had a couple of attempts this time he gets it absolutely right Rico Lewis was playing Center forward from the corner all of a sudden they break forward Elliot picks it up on his favored left foot fires it into the top Corner illich doesn't move I'm I'm not so sure he actually expected the shot or he might not have even been able to see it Simon but what a first half from England's under 21s that is what you call finishing the first half with a flourish wonderful play from Harvey Elliot to score six minutes into added time at the end of the first half there's Luchi he can't quite believe it he gave Serbia the lead a little while ago three goals late in the first half Jaden figing with the equalizer Liam deap on 42 minutes there and then Harvey Elliot deep into added time at the end of the first half at the break in Nottingham at the city ground it's England under 21's 3 Serbia under 21's [Music] 1 okay let's take a look at the highlights from the first half and a very eventful first half at the city ground it was as well as the balls played forward early on here Jaden philene we'll see plenty of him in our highlights causing early problems for Serbia's defense that little deflection from the shot there good save from velco illich that inside the opening five minutes yeah it was a really bright start from England philene shot wickedly deflected and Lish does superbly well to get fingertips to tip it over with a golden opportunity to take the lead Here Charlie Creswell well he cannot believe that he hasn't headed that on target a really good delivery from the England Captain arrives in the six-yard Box powerful header but for some reason of Target another glorious England chance well you said that he couldn't believe he hadn't scored I think you couldn't believe it either could you Clive it was a great opportunity but illich was busy in the early stages of the match look at this buildup here from England the lovely little touch from non mad it once but twice and Rico Lewis across and Jaden philene almost turning at home Point Blank save from illich well wonderful buildup play from England Great ability mudi back hill Elliot cuts the pass back to mudi tow to Rico Lewis and then philene just can't keep the Lewis cross down and it's a good save an instinctive save from illich to keep the score at zero England just kept for coming forward again and again and not madaki saw so much of the ball in that opening half an hour or so that lovely little touch from him all that was missing was the finishing tou yeah he can't believe that he hasn't struck It On Target Hackney does well feeds the ball wide and then good into play with mudi the body swerve here is brilliant to create the angle but he just scuffs the shot the most important part the Finish great England buildup disappointment from the finish and then against the Run of play a real Bolt from the blue bolt being the operative word as Serbia ventured forward Luchi number 11 keep your eye on him as this move continues to build up as the ball's played back in by bazic Luchi was there how about that for a finish top Corner no chance for James Trafford first time England have conceded a goal in eight matches yeah and quite remarkable it had to be a good goal and it was fabulously taken by Luchi they build up down the left the ball cut back to him but the quality of the side foot finish absolutely superb well that really put the cat among the pigeons because we hadn't seen a lot from Serbia as an attacking Force but uh England looking to respond almost immediately winning the ball back here Noni madoi sending it Forward golden opportunity for dap and illich to the rescue once again that was madoi on the followup yeah superb build up ellot mudi and then he slides the ball brilliantly into the Run of lap I think he tries to lift it over the keeper he stays big makes another good stop so at this stage of procceedings it had the potential to be a frustrating evening for England's youngsters well they just had to continue in the vein that they started the game and when the poor clearance from The Keeper is picked up by philin we talked about the quality of the Finish from Serbia but figing shows magnificent osure it is a poor clearance but he picks it up with still a lot to do and as he goes past the defender he has the ability to Rifle it into the top Corner a brilliant response from England yeah poor mistake from the goalkeeper but he paid a very heavy price indeed that's an outstanding finish uh from the England debutant jayen philene 1-1 that goal coming in the 38th minute of the match and England weren't finish there before the break with madoi again leading MIT eralash a merry dance Rico Lewis involved short sharp passing from England there lovely little flick from Rico Lewis look at the number of red shirts around but still England found a way through Palmer bringing the save philene with the little cut back and this time Liam deap blasting it home for 21 Simon I just love the confidence that back Hill from mudi brilliant K Palmer's strike parried by The Keeper kept Alive by philin and when a second chance presents itself to DAP he makes no mistake on this occasion rifling it into the roof of the net nothing more than England deserved with this per first half performance Hayden Hackney winning the ball back for England referee keing to try to allow the game to flow as much as possible and that played out to England's Advantage here the ball only half cleared collected by Harvey Elliot created the space for himself and how about that for a finish what a way to end the first half absolutely last kick of the first half a first half that's been absolutely exhilarating referee did really well in allowing play to continue after a couple of challenges but Harvey Elliot who's been really industrious a superb finish halime it's England 3 Serbia [Music] one so one thing to keep an eye on here early on we saw that challenge coming from Marco latic very early in the match on Jared branway where he received the yellow card studs up with that challenge it already wasn't the first foul that he committed in the opening five minutes or so no he he fouled the goalkeeper not long before that that was a second one but this after being booked this was a silly challenge the way kicks through the back of Lewis could easily have received the second yellow and a subsequent red referee was lenient on that occasion and they would have been down to 10 men it's a difficult task let's have a little look at the statistics 3-12 England 14 shots on go Clive in that first half 10 of them on target yeah it's been a a fantastic England performance it really has some quality play to create those shots and 10 on target keeper has had to be very very good to keep the score down but has conceded through yeah 69% possession but importantly England have made that possession count 3-1 the halftime score well jadden filene uh one one of many players who's impressed in the first half but he has played exceptionally well and he scored England's equalizing goal yeah he scored the equalizing goal brilliantly taken the thing that strikes me there touches in the opposition box eight times he's in Serbia's Penalty Box and he's got himself a goal and an assist and there was a match a little bit earlier on today uh Ukraine 3 nil winners at Luxembourg that one's finished not very long ago and Northern Ireland winning for the first time in the group as well today 1- nil at aeran so five of the six teams in the group have won at least one match so far aaban are the only team without a victory so there we are it's been a terrific first half much to enjoy four goals do stay with us the second half is coming up in just a few minutes [Music] time [Applause] [Music] see [Music] [Applause] oh [Applause] [Music] welcome back to the city ground as we're almost ready for the start of the second second half England the current champions of this banial competition having beaten Spain 1 nil in this year's final much changed team for England only James Trafford the goalkeeper and Cole Palmer the captain remained from the starting 11 against Spain in the summer but it's been business as usual for England's under 21s Clive Allen alongside me it's been a a really enjoyable first half some some excellent football to to get our teeth into yeah so it's been a real pleasure the way they've gone about their game there's been some outstanding performances real confidence running throughout this under 21 group went behind responded in in a in magnificent way philin with the first he's been really impressive right off the left for England the lap leading the line of scored is second in the competition now and rounded off by Harvey Elliots third right on the stroke of halftime nothing more than England deserved at the at the um in that first half performance hopefully much more of the same please changes made at the break Sven yablonski from Germany is the referee and it is Marco latic who gets the second half underway Serbia look for a route back into the match but uh could be uh difficult second period for them at 31 down they were leading until the 38th minute of the game but uh three late first half goals from England have completely turned it around into the hom side's favor well I think they have to be really wary that if they they tried to press England High the way that they've moved and passed the ball they could easily be cut open with the quality that England have have shown this evening this whole qualification stage determines the 15 teams who will join the hosts Slovakia at the finals in a couple of years time in 2025 you got nine group winners who go through and the three best Runners up also qualify uh they work out the r the runners up not counting the results against any sixth place teams in the bigger groups uh the remaining six Runners up who don't make it straight away go into playoffs that's three ties they play home and away and the three winners from those twole ties advance to the finals that's how we get our 16 for the Euro under 21 final Simon I'm glad you had to explain that that was brilliant what I'm saying is that you know you don't necessarily just have to win the group because uh England would be the strong favorites to win this the section they're in group F but for teams like Serbia if they can perform strongly there is still the possibility of reaching the finals as Rico Lewis sends it across field to Elliot and now it's collected by humph well I think Simon as holders there would only be one intention from Lee Carley in this England group and that is to to win the group win as many games if not all of them if they can in the buildup to qualify him for the finals have to be considered one of the favorites and certainly this performance is laying down a marker for me with this young group yeah absolutely Spain and Italy both five-time champions in the competition Germany and England on three wins each Russia and the Netherlands two so Serbia have won it once along with France czechia and Sweden branway happy to leave it to Hayden Hackney sent over to The Far Side by the the Deep lying at the moment Co Palmer yeah just the rotation of the of the team in that first half was absolutely excellent it really was like a painful collision with the advertising holding there for Noni on the far [Applause] side England have it back with the potential to cause some problems here for Serbia again as madaki sends it across collected here by Elliot and that was glorious piece of improvisation it certainly was a man full of confidence after scoring the third right in a stroke of half time one back by dap Hui just hooks it into the box the control and the attempt is audacious it really is what a talented young man he is Harvey ellot he's starting the second half in a pretty similar vein to that in which he finished the first Creswell across making sure he got there ahead of latic [Applause] H illit wants the ball the pass a little bit short and filene almost stealing in to the Penalty area Rogan brings it away havelet led the charge the Press fene nearly comes to collect again a a slightly awkward pass away by the goalkeeper Serbia looking to try to make it a one goal game but TI It Up by Hackney the middlesbor midfielder who looked very accomplished in the heart of that England Midfield he's probably the one that hasn't moved dramatically in position but that allows everybody around him to rotate and that's worked really well it's a discipline role that hack is playing and he's played it superbly yeah I imagine particularly with all the interchangeability of many of the other players Clive you need someone who's just going to be prepared to be steady absolutely stay Central you're the one who's the who's uh obviously the first line of defense again in front of the back four he's played the role well he really has humpr finds bran weight Gibs the ball away to Victor Rogan sent forward here by Mio stephanovich and the shot some distance wide of the goal from Stefan mitrovic well he feed the ball well into MIT mic's feet as he comes in off that left hand side just gets a touch in front of Rico Lewis but pulls the shot horribly wide he's worth keeping an eye on though the number seven mraovic he plays for red star uh San vesda two senior caps including an appearance Off the Bench against Lithuania in a euro qualifier last month here's Cole Palmer who well you can see the evidence of that that bang he received on the thigh late in the first half well I'm sure he's not looking terribly comfortable is he or happy no he's going to take the uh the heavy strapping off now but it it seemed as if he had a dead leg from the the first half and and after after that dead leg has certainly had treatment at halim but sometimes Simon that just stiffens up and you can't continue you're hoping it's going to ease off but the halftime break that right leg stiffening Le Carley not going to take any chances with his England Captain so Tino liento of Newcastle United comes on to replace Co Palmer disappointing end for Palmer um some really good moments from him in the first half CL some great deliveries into the penalty area yeah I don't and hope it's nothing serious I don't think it will be just seems to be a a contact injury on that right thigh but an opportunity for liento on the right side he's having an enjoy time back fit now at Newcastle United as the shot comes in straight into the gloves of Trafford there from alosha vasic yeah just a couple of half chances at the beginning of this second period for Serbia you mentioned livero you're right CL it is just great to see him playing again isn't it these days he missed quite a bit of time with an ACL injury Here Comes mki looks for an opening still looks and still and here we are it's 41 he was patient and it was worth a wait he looked and looked and finally he noticed that the back door had been left a jar and he saw the space and he found it and the ball is nestling in the back of Serbia's net it is England who lead by four goals to one well he's had a couple of chances earlier in this game but as the Falls fed wide from Lewis into mudi comes inside drops his shoulder once twice and then this time with the shooting opportunity drills it hard and low into the bottom corner the lopsided Winger coming in on his favored left foot and a brilliant finish through bodies but nothing more than he's deserved with his performance this evening this could be anything now Simon it really could the way that England are playing Smiles on their faces enjoying every moment of this game and it's his second goal for the under 21s coming on his 15th appearance and nothing less than his performance deserves tonight absolutely so 4-1 England and Serbia struggling the longer this game goes on absolutely Simon in a very difficult position now the confidence flowing through this England group they have to be really disciplined now try to keep their shape try to frustrate [Applause] England this is Charlie Creswell in possession at the back now brane and Harvey Elliot dropping a bit deeper looking for Jaden Figi Elliot's an absolute live War it was it was him nodding the ball forward there as well well he played it forward and he followed it and won it back again for England unbelievable energy Lewis just Sid stepping clear of alosha vasic well having fallen behind at one point during the first half England in complete control of this game uh as they have been throughout really in terms of the general play oh most certainly yeah they wasn't phased by going behind stuck to their game plan the way that they've controlled moved the ball and interchanged has been breathtaking this first touch there for liento madek and Lewis combining there's been a good understanding between those two on the right hand side for England well with Liv rento coming in he's gone into the right back position that's meant that Rico Lewis has now become a right-sided Midfield player but with great flexibility what a lovely touch there from Jaden filene looks for an opportunity trying to tea up the lap and Lewis that one coming off the outside of the boot well I think he just got a little bit excited to Rico Le it was a brilliant touch from philene and when the ball Falls to Rico Le he's just off balance he can't strike On Target just there he's falling away and in the end just Scoops it way wider the [Applause] target ball collected at the back by Rogan here now is Hayden Hackney great chance for Elliot Big Challenge vital challenge from Luca subti it was a good challenge but it was brilliant work from dap he won the ball back Hackney fed the ball into the Run of Elliot and in the end illich made a really good block there's The Challenge from dap picked up by Hackney picks the Run of ellot but again illich is acrossed and has to be quickly to deny Elliot the chance to shoot lay off by madai back into Charlie [Applause] Creswell England enjoying their first home match since lifting the Euro trophy in the summer how about that for a turn there from Jaden philene and that was a sturdy Challenge from a frustrated Mio illich right under the referee's nose which results in a yellow card it was quite brilliant the way that philene received the ball on the half turn spinning away from the right back but then ilich a wild challenge nowhere near playing the ball philin just toes it away that was an awful challenge he's lucky just to receive a yellow for that couple of changes here and alosha fic making [Music] way Igor miladinovic on to replace him and Marco latic off with Milos pantovic on to replace him well I I think that's just a almost a protection move because they cannot afford to go down up and be a player like Serbia as Elliot sends the ball in and Creswell Rising High maybe the chance for Serbia to break little flick into madai 51 wow what a goal that was hecky retrieves the ball Rico Lewis with a magnificent little touch into the path of mudi he assisted in mud's first goal he's assisted again Rico Lewis with a de touch that's given him the opportunity to side for England's fifth this is breathtaking it really is well we were talking just a couple of minutes ago about the lovely combination play between those two on the England right and we saw it here once again Serbia potentially with a chance to break away initially with stankovic losing possession England countering immediately Lewis with the little flick madai with the Finish oh it's beautiful Hackney driving forward just rolls it into the path but the aess from Rico Lewis was superb and then the finished clinical mudi helping himself to a second Rico Lewis all smiles assists for the second time 51 England and we've still got half an hour to go we have we have got half an hour to go which is not great new news for Duan geovic and his team absolutely not the way England are playing if they can maintain this level there's more goals here for them miladinovic getting involved The Substitute here now is mitrovic and the shot wasn't a bad one through a sea of white shirted England Defenders But Rising over the crossbar all the time well he has carried a little threat in his second half came off the left side with a right foot shot this time off the right side fires with his left but always Rising doesn't trouble Trafford in the England [Music] goal Simon I've got to say this is as good an hour under 21 football that I've seen for a very very long time well or aswell early on in a new campaign with a new look under 21 side this remember early on the road to Slovakia which is where the finals will be this is a a banial tournament the under 21 Euros England have been in those finals 17 times they've taken part in the finals three time winners 1982 1984 and 2023 Here Comes philene now into Harvey Elliot and Elliot there was blocked off by Rogan Rogan remember has already had his name taken for whacking filin in the face not sure what the contact was there it certainly is worth another look he is a player as I mentioned on a yellow card yeah and again he was he was yellow carded for his Challenge on filing picking up um striking him across the face and on this occasion you can see I think Harvey Elliot knows his the challenge is coming now he just blocks him off I think um it would be harsh on him to receive a yellow card for that but he has to be very very careful now and Serbia can ill afford to lose a player in the way that England are playing he's happy he never shows it Le look he's very very happy with his performance I'm sure he is his expression doesn't change too much on the touch line does it Hayden Hackney who's been really good for England and that's an excellent pass and Liam daps away and Jaden philene is alongside him and philene for number [Applause] six brilliant and who starts it once again hatney Lewis he plays the ball into the Run of dap and then what I love about dap is the awareness is going one-onone with the goalkeeper he knows figin is in support and again it's just Sensational England football it really is slick it's incisive the pass here from Rico Lewis into the Run of dap but then dap he has a look he knows filer jeene in support and he rolls it beautifully into his path for England sick I said it could be anything Simon this could go on this evening to be an emphatic England Victory well England's under 21's the European Champions absolutely running away with it here in the second half and two players now on hat-tricks as well there's going to be a competition to see who could score an England hattrick in this under 21 campaign yeah non madoui there of Chelsea he's on a hatrick as is jayen philene of Hall [Applause] City England's still three goals short of their record number number of goals in a match biggest win was 9 N that was against San marinho uh a decade ago still someway short of that but 25 minutes to go it's a pulsating performance from England's under 21s really tough night for Serbia the return match by the way between these two is a a month away well it's a Serbia team that won want that game to come too soon that's for sure they going to have to regroup NM there by pilin he's on his team of throwing in as well yeah with Serbia tonight and Ukraine away on Monday England facing two of the toughest matchups early on in the group and uh Serbia away next month as well so success in these games could almost secure qualification very early on in the process to be honest yeah it makes it a obviously it's never an easy campaign but certainly they're they're going about it in the right way tonight England on the attack now with madoi he's got some support white shirts in the box and philene going for what would have been a spectacular goal the most spectacular hattick I think if he wants the hatrick he might need to get another chance quickly because uh I think there's a a fair fair chance that he will be taken off shortly England getting ready to make some changes here's mraovic it spoted by bashier Humphrey well philene there going all out for the hatrick in and going for it in the most memorable way yeah it's a good move Hackney crosses from the right just lifts it to the back post and he's trying that spectacular overhead kick so Nicola stankovic going off and Yovan lukic on to replace him Yovan lukic Central Midfield field player who plays for spartac subotica from he signed from lask the Austrian side uh last [Applause] month collected in Midfield by Mio stanovic well you just wonder if Lee Carley will just give one or two other players the opportunity now with the spectacular performance that England have put in if you're sitting on the bench some and there's nothing more than you're wanting to get and come into a team that of playing with his such confidence and for these substitutes now what an opportunity well it's not about to get any easier for Serbia with the lacks of Jamie boo gens getting ready to come on the brusser Dortmund player more on that in a moment because Serbia venturing forward here it's become a damage limitation exercise as well as best as possible if that is in fact uh something that you can do when you're already 6-1 down but good play in Midfield collected by miladinovich but it's back with Elliot who finds humph with space and a little time in possession to bring the ball over the halfway line philene on the near side madai over on the England right being chased Again by Ma eralash madoi what a what a lively handful he has proven to be liento back into madis into toward towards Rico Lewis making the Run deep inside the penalty area it'll be a corner well there's nowhere that this young man can't play tonight he started on the right ended up in Midfield was advanced in a number of positions to create two goals for mudi a wonderful Rico Lewis performance as well plenty of changes a foot for England Liam deap the first player to go off Jonathan row will be on to replace him the Norwich City player Jonathan row who's scored seven goals already this [Applause] [Music] season dap among the goal scorers tonight and there Jaden filene two goals on his under 21 debut replaced by James [Music] MC little bit of a flare up there as madai makes his way to the far side yeah he has to go off delious point and he's on the right side he didn't want to walk all the way round but the performance he's put in he's going to enjoy that long walk Round the Applause of the crowd as he oh those young men will be those young chaps will be very very happy receiving his shirt and uh there we see Jamie Boo gtins and row the forward from Norwich Boo gtins the European under 19 winner in 2022 as England on the front fo the header from Creswell not quite going underneath the body of velco ilich and another chance Creswell Powers the header down Keeper in the end just manages to smother it and keep it underneath him little over 20 minutes remaining we're just over three quarters of the way through the [Applause] match well sometimes it just disrupts the flow of the game with the number of substitutions being made important that England continue in the same vein intensity to their game moving the ball very very quickly in style in which they have in this in this 70-minute period milinovic with a little layoff collected here by Stefan [Applause] mitrovic just trying to take some of the sting out of this second half settled the game down a little bit certainly does disrupt the Rhythm though doesn't it with so many changes yes it does an England changing there their two of their front three certainly can do that though with Ukraine on Monday on the road that match being played in [Applause] Slovakia well Serbia in no hurry to get on with the game as you can understand they're just trying to run this clock down they are in a a damage limitation situation now collected by L Lich who scored their goal in the first half which put Serbia ahead mitrovic and the offside flag goes up against uh Stefan mitrovich yeah that's poor for mitrovic looking across the field shouldn't have wandered into that offside position as the Diagon of ball comes to [Music] him quiet second period for James Trafford in the England goal here's Basher Humphries touch from [Applause] Elliot ilich finding Rogan Aiden Hackney initially winning it back Harvey Elliot sending it forward and here now is James mcy ilit gets a foot to it and Mio ilich able to clear his lines and get it to the halfway line but England come roaring back and what a pass that was from Harve ellia to put mcti in Eliot in possession again you're not going to ask me for a man of the match are you well I think we just put several names into a hat wouldn't we and absolutely draw it out layoff by liento on the far [Applause] side well as you can see in total control confidence belief in the way that they've achieved what has been an outstanding lead [Applause] and here come England again it was Rico Lewis and Jamie boo gtins he'll keep this in as well row wees in the middle boo gettings that was absolutely Sensational but Serbia survived well it's a brilliant shoe Shuffle on the touchline it really was on the by line to nearly give himself the opportunity to score after just being introduced as a substitute so to say you come into this game as a substitute you you're you're desperate to impress you know that everything's flowing everything's working for your team and you're you're you you're almost given license to try to impress in in the way that Bruno gtin did in that in that uh attempt yeah it's real exhibition stuff isn't it at times humph is losing out on this occasion and collected briefly by Milos pantovic here's mitrovic I do like the way England have gone about winning back possession as well when they have turned it over they haven't turned the ball over too often in the game tonight but when they have they're very very quick to go and look to win it back Serbia with another game on Monday as well they're playing away to Northern Ireland who enjoyed their first win in the group today they beat aaban one win from three matches two defeats for Northern Ireland but they will host Serbia in their next game on Monday Charlie Creswell BR weight back into Trafford Gerald k quansa getting ready to come on potentially for England another substitution on the horizon lovely little layoff into liento Harvey Elliot collects important block there made by Luca subotic it's an England throw yeah but again really instrumental the forward pass initially set England on their way then he gets himself forward to the edge of the [Music] [Applause] Box boo gens in possession the Dortmund player bringing Creswell into the game and Elliot has had such a pivotal role for England this evening 15 minutes remaining at the city [Applause] ground Rico Lewis looking for boo gettins who's challenged by Mio ilich oou already looked very bright in the opening few minutes that he's been on the pitch another change coming up for the home team let's have a look at this bit of skill though from boo gens well it looks as if he can't go anywhere but the little shoe Shuffle on the by line brilliant and then he just tries to tow it into the path of Rico [Applause] Lewis Gerald k quansa of Liverpool coming on at the back for England number six 16 the player going off there just a few moments ago there confirmation Jared grwe of Everton going off so quansa [Applause] on latest change made by Lee carsley qua making his under 21 debut the 20-year-old Defender made three appearances in the Premier League so far this season for Liverpool he's played all the way through England from from under 15 to under 21 level so far every single one of those steps on the ladder well with Premier League experience playing for Liverpool you can see how Harvey Elliot has progressed and conso looks to be another young Talent off of the Liverpool production line Creswell and here is quansa been looking to try and Venture forward ball breaking loose on the halfway line sturdy challenge by superti needed to be and Mio stanovic just gets it out of the congested middle thirdd of the field Serbia still plugging away luch the scorer of their goal surrounded out hustled out maneuvered and here's mcti one of the England substitutes brought to ground free kick for the challenge made by m eralash yeah eralash great feat from mcti again showing real confidence it's coming into the game picks the ball up drives forward and eralash tackling from behind might well have got some of the ball but catches his right ankle he's not been on the field that long James mcy he's at Sheffield United this season in the Premier League in England on loan from Manchester City had 13 minutes against Luxembourg last month similar amount of time maybe a little bit longer tonight in this second qualification match England's first at home since lifting the Euro trophy in the summer Charlie Creswell Elliot qua Elliot with the time to have a little look around and the skill and the vision to pick out boo gettins who might fancy a little go at goal here and indeed he does yeah it was a great diagonal ball tobo getting he showed lots of confidence since being introduced this time cuts in onto his right foot just tries to wind that ball into the far Corner clever attempt couple of changes coming up for Serbia there we are Nicola yich who's at Stoke City in the championship is going to come on as is Alexa mati as well I'll keep an eye on that for you Rico Lewis who's now enjoying himself on the left hand side for England he's he's had a little go everywhere tonight hasn't he Clyde there's nowhere he hasn't been absolutely incredible performance and wherever he finds himself on the pitch he looks equally adapt to every play exactly Simon absolutely superb I I would imagine he could probably play in goal as well he's not the biggest but he could probably play in goal the young man he's been [Applause] brilliant collected by Hackney this now is hupr got to think about playing the ball to B noon's on the near side no just control controlled possession of the ball last 10 minutes of the game and what a match it's been for the people who've made the journey to the city ground for this one tonight six England goals and several near misses and two or three great saves as well from Serbia's goalkeeper six and it may well have been more it could have easily have been far more and the quality of the play has been nothing short of exhilarating for me this young England group completely controlling the ball at the moment here Serbia left chasing Shadows Harvey Elliot might not be finished yet as he tries to feed It Forward he was looking for mcy and bringing the ball away is pantovic not for long backing each other up well England's players that was row Jonathan row coming back yeah that was superb from Row the ball was turned over Harley Elliot harot pass went astray row regain possession for England and now clyve is furthest forward is in front of bogon it's still Boo's trying to create the opportunity and have a go himself and the opportunity to clear for Igor Milad and finally for eralash and once more it's with [Applause] miladinovich a Serbia Venture forward for the first time in quite a while with mitovich it's excellent play until the final moment when he was unable to get the shot in Charlie Creswell I think it was who made sure of that Creswell and Hackney I think were the two that just closed off the half chance for [Applause] Serbia here they come once more with mraovic little layoff into Milos panovich but yet again it's that man England's number two Rico Lewis who sets them into forward motion and Harvey Elliot is there to help out this is mcy Boo gettin's weights in the middle row is up there in the Box as well well it's in row who almost flicked it in at the near post well what a goal that would have been from one end of the field to the other and MC feeds the ball into row it's a really clever attempt at the near post trying to drag it back inside the goalkeeper so Alexa Matik is going to come on double change here Mio stanovic going off to be replaced by Alexa Matik the midfielder mati of vat defensive Midfield player and the goal scorer Vladimir Luchi wonderful strike from him uh Nicola yic on to replace him for his under 21 debut The Stoke City player I think he's running down the clock just trying to introduce fresh legs just to thwart the flow of this England incessant attack after [Music] attack here's Gerald quansa six minutes to go plus added time Serbia won't be wanting too much to be added by the German officials I'm sure at the end of this one first touch of the ball for yich almost losing his way the other substitute Matik there with a first touch here he is Rogan tidy touch from Igor miladinovic going try to win the ball back and there's a hand ball in there I think it was from The Substitute mati yeah I think he just fell on the ball and handled it second appearance for him having made his debut against aaban two- nil winners last month Serbia in that game against aaban haven't been to the euro finals at under 21 level since 2019 Serbia they lost all three group stages on that occasion haven't qualified for the last two [Music] finals well I'm sure they'll feel confident of of trying to get out this group Simon but when you see the level the bar that England have set with their quality tonight they know that it's going to be a a very very difficult task to W to win this group in with a little touch into Rico Lewis is collected here by Elliot off the top of the crossbar so close to a magnificent number seven yeah and again it's that man Lewis that just feeds Harel tries to strike with his right foot again the interplay the turn for Rico Lewis and the awareness the strike just clipping the top of the crossbar Rico Lewis could have had another assist it has been quite breathtaking and Harvey Elliot could have added to the one he's already got he might well now yeah Elliot still venturing forward here plenty of support here's row with a little layoff by no gettins still find it at his feet and Serbia can't get the ball away and it squirts over the line it'll go down as an own goal it's 71 to England's under [Music] 21s yeah it's unfortunate for Serbia and it's the left back regardless who it's eventually gone off maybe sabotic there's a number of red shirts in front of the goalkeeper they're dispirited they really have had a turrid evening Haria the opportunity they can't quite clear their lines and it comes off yeah it was eralash who played the ball against subtit so Misfortune there for Serbia and despite the despairing dive of illich he just couldn't pull the ball away before it had crossed the line so uh bit of bad luck there for Serbia's defense in the latter stages for 71 in the 87th minute of the [Applause] game what a night in not as the shot skids wide of the foot of James trafford's Post Yeah itemp more in Hope than anything else really well what a night and what a way to sort of um set out your intentions for this uh defense of the trophy absolutely soimon they've laid down a tremendous marker of England there's been some I think quite breathtaking performances none more so than this young man Rico Lewis not done yet Rico Lewis in possession and for once but the pass is poor for once his pass was poor but England have it back once more it's laid off here to Elliot and headed in by row well that is brilliant work from Harvey Elliot the Run To Go Round the back of MC was quite superb and then the delivery was there for row if you're a striker coming in to this game you think you going to get a chance Row The Substitute helps himself to an under 21 goal Elliot's Work was magnificent down that right hand side on his debut as well Jonathan row he scored seven goals so far this season for Norwich City six and 11 in the championship but here he is in the white shirt of England but watch The Run of Elliot round the back of MC lovely delivery easy as the finishes for row but he will never ever forget that his first goal for the under 21s and no flag raised on the far side for [Applause] offside but he's been scoring for norid and he's now scored for England under 21s well that's not a good sign is it the man wearing the armband leading from the front in every sense of the word Harvey Elliot he he's been outstanding in this match tonight but does appear to have got a bang on the knee right at the closing stages of the game yeah a really breathtaking performance from England in front of nearly 15,000 supporters here at the city ground I think it's fair to say they've had their money's worth Clive tonight and I tell you what these youngsters will remember many of these young England players names going forward well this is the thing isn't it England's under 21s they don't have a permanent base that's the whole idea of it that they travel around the country taking these games all over the place so that uh youngsters in particular uh around England can watch them play and be inspired yeah and harela he has gone off I'm not to sure he might he looks as if he wants to continue but he would be in that bowl of potential um players of the match certainly he's in your player players of the match hat is he yeah along with about half the other England players there's 14 other England players I tell you what if I was playing as well as hareli I wouldn't want to come off and he's back on the pitch and he's got the ball at his feet and he's scored wow Harvey Elliot what a way to finish the match it's 91 England's under 21s have never scored more than nine in a match and Harvey Elliot with the last kick of the first half made it 3-1 and we not far off the last kick of the game in the second makes it 91 well that might just have edged it for him Simon and again he comes on from the top of your screen pinches the ball but then has the awareness to drive forward and with that right foot Thunders it pass the goalkeeper ilich what a night for Harvey [Applause] Elliot we want 10 cry the crowd we want 10 and Harvey Elliot is the only player on the field that can now score a hattick and what would be a record-breaking goal for England under 20 on absolutely it would so uh I don't think anyone is going to be leaving this match early 91 England in added time as they look for a record-breaking number 10 still three minutes well we're already nearly 2 minutes into those three as the shot comes in it's a pretty wild one from lukic the Serbia's players will just want to get off the pitch and put the match behind them and get ready for Northern Ireland on Monday England traveled to face Ukraine that's in Slovakia on Monday but what a night at the city ground and what a performance from the Young Lions from England the new look under 21's European Champions in the summer and goodness me they are up and running in this qualification for the next championships already with a breathtaking performance this their first home match since lifting the trophy in the summer remember only two of those who started against Spain for Lee Carley's team started this match tonight yeah a quite incredible England performance it really has been so many magnificent performances individually but collectively and they're not done yet by no getting chases it's cleared Away by Rogan seconds remaining for England to try to get into double figures who' have thought that against a team like Serbia the goalkeeper down on the ground there goes the final whistle what a match what a night what a performance from England's under 21s two goals for filene two for madai two for Elliot one for dap one for row and a subtit own goal stunning from start to finish absolutely breathtaking a quite magnificent Lee Carley under 21 Squad they have late Daya marker as holders of this competition moving forward there's some exceptional England Talent we've seen this evening well unfortunately a painful end there for Serbia's goalkeeper England's biggest ever win 9-0 against San Marino in November 2013 well they've match the number of goals tonight they have put nine past Serbia in group f it has finished at the city ground England under 219 Serbia under [Music] [Applause] 211 [Music] [Music] you s