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England U21s 4-0 Paraguay U23s: Loftus-Cheek brace puts Southgate and Co on verge of Toulon final

OLOMOUC, CZECH REPUBLIC - JUNE 21:  Ruben Loftus-Cheek of England in action during the UEFA Under21 European Championship 2015 match against Sweden
Image: Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored twice as England U21s beat Paraguay U23s 4-0 on Wednesday

England U21s all but secured a place in the final of the Toulon Tournament with a convincing 4-0 win over Paraguay U23s on Wednesday.

Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek struck twice while Lewis Baker and Nathan Redmond also got on the scoresheet in Six-Fours-les-Plages.

The victory was a third from three games in Group B for Gareth Southgate's men. Only defeat to Japan in their last group game and a huge swing in goal difference can now deny them a place in the final in Avignon on Sunday.

After a slow start, England opened the scoring with 33 minutes gone when Duncan Watmore and Loftus-Cheek combined to tee up Baker, who rifled into the roof of the net.

Redmond had fired narrowly wide just moments earlier.

In a game of 80 minutes, Loftus-Cheek doubled the lead five minutes into the second half as he robbed Franco Benitez and finished coolly.

He claimed his second just before the hour, chipping goalkeeper Alan Gomez after a strong run by Watmore.

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Norwich winger Redmond completed the scoring after 65 minutes with a low shot after a strong run.

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