Israel U21 vs England U21. European Under-21 Championship Semi-Final.
Batumi ArenaAttendance11,801.
Match report as England reach European U21 Championship final with 100 per cent record having yet to concede a goal in tournament; Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer and Cameron Archer on target in semi-final victory; they will face Spain in Saturday's final
Thursday 6 July 2023 08:02, UK
England booked their ticket to the European U21 Championship final for the first time since 2009 with a 3-0 semi-final victory over Israel in Georgia.
The Young Lions last won the competition in 1984 but extended their winning streak in the competition to five games as they eased past Israel to reach Saturday's final, where they will play Spain, who defeated Ukraine 5-1.
Morgan Gibbs-White atoned for an early missed penalty by heading England in front three minutes before the interval at the Batumi Arena.
Cole Palmer effectively put the game beyond Israel after a lengthy VAR check for offside when he doubled England's lead just after the hour.
Substitute Cameron Archer sealed their passage to the final with an emphatic third in the 90th minute as England maintained their flawless record to reach the final.
Having already beaten Israel 2-0 in the group stage, the Young Lions were confident with Levi Colwill nodding over Gibbs-White's early free-kick, but they should have taken the lead when Gibbs-White missed from the spot after 17 minutes.
It took four minutes for VAR to rule Anthony Gordon was fouled by Karm Jaber - after Emile Smith Rowe had a shot cleared off the line before hitting the post - only for Gibbs-White to fire wide.
It boosted Israel's belief with England frustrated but Carsley's men maintained their composure and Gibbs-White atoned for his miss three minutes before the break.
The Nottingham Forest midfielder ghosted in late to reach Palmer's delivery and rose between two Israel defenders to nod the ball into the top corner from 12 yards.
The half ended with Israel refusing to press and England keeping the ball, barely moving, and they remained in control after the restart.
Smith Rowe scuffed a shot and Gordon saw an effort deflect wide but Palmer finally doubled the lead after 64 minutes.
Gibbs-White found Smith Rowe, who crossed for Manchester City forward Palmer to convert - only for the goal to initially be ruled out for offside.
Another long VAR check again went in England's favour as Smith Rowe was adjudged to be onside and the goal stood. There was still time for substitute Archer to add a third in stoppage time when he smashed in Palmer's pass.
Sky Sports' Jack Wilkinson:
"England have always possessed an embarrassment of riches at U21 level, but creating talented footballers hasn't been the problem for the Three Lions.
"Transferring the experience many of their young stars have as integral members of Premier League squads has been the unsolvable task for the best part of 39 years, but Lee Carsley is a step away from cracking the code.
"Against Israel, England's composure and grace on the ball was so superior it produced questionable tactics from their opposition, who were frozen by fear.
"This was far from the perfect England performance and yet the Young Lions' flawless tournament continued. They are going to take some stopping."
England will face Spain in the European U21 Championship final on Saturday at the Batumi Arena; kick-off 5pm.
