England U21 2 Israel U21 0: Young Lions storm into Euros knockouts as group winners after Gordon and Smith Rowe goals
EMILE SMITH ROWE gave the watching Gareth Southgate a reminder of his talents by helping England through to the knockouts.
The Arsenal starlet, 22, is the only member of Lee Carsley’s Young Lions squad to have a senior cap to his name.
But the last of his three came in March 2022 after a campaign this term ravaged by injury and then Gunners chief Mikel Arteta preferring other players.
Smith Rowe shone in front of attending senior chief Southgate here though, ending the contest with a belting finish to add to Anthony Gordon’s opener.
With Germany losing against the Czechs in the other game in Group C, it ensured Carsley’s side finished top and could face hosts Georgia in the quarter-finals.
And it means Carsley can rotate as much as he likes for the final group game against the Germans on Wednesday, which Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland will take in too.
At times England were playing their silkiest football of Carsley’s two-year reign.
The one-touch passing for a move involving almost the entire team that saw Smith Rowe backheel into the net inside four minutes was mesmerising.
But sadly the Arsenal youngster was ruled offside.
Israel had achieved one of their finest results in their history with Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Germany, which saw Die Mannschaft’s kids miss TWO penalties.
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Bossed by former Charlton manager Guy Luzon, they looked ready to pull off another shock result.
But in the opening 20 minutes they simply could not get near their opponents.
Gordon, who had a goal ruled out against the Czechs three days ago, opened his account for the tournament to put England ahead.
Morgan Gibbs-White floated a ball across which the Newcastle wideman, playing again through the middle, nodded down into the ground and into the far corner.
He may not be used to playing as a centre-forward but it was a textbook header than Alan Shearer would have been proud of.
England dominated the rest of the first half but failed to create any other clear-cut chances.
And just before the break, when Ben Johnson was harshly booked for losing a 50-50 on the edge of the area, the Young Lions were indebted to James Trafford for preserving their lead.
The confident Manchester City goalkeeper, who spent this season on loan at League One Bolton, dived low to his left to tip Ethane Azoulay’s free-kick wide.
It added to his impressive stop when the scores were level against the Czechs – and any scouts watching, not to mention Southgate, will surely have taken note.
England turned the game on Thursday straight after half-time thanks to Jacob Ramsey’s cracker.
And they should have killed off this clash at a similar time when Gibbs-White sent Noni Madueke through with a defence-splitting pass.
But the Chelsea winger was wasteful and miscued his shot wide.
Gibbs-White could and possibly should have had a penalty seconds later when he appeared to be floored in the box when trying to latch onto Smith Rowe’s pass, but the ref said no.
Gordon, who had had a spotkick appeal himself snubbed just before, was brought off just after the hour along with Madueke, and replaced by Cole Palmer and Cameron Archer.
Smith Rowe had started to tire too and it would not be long until he also would be replaced – but not before he settled the clash.
The Gunners ace received the ball from Gibbs-White near the edge of the area and drilled it hard and low past stopper Daniel Peretz on 68 minutes.
So, with Germany slipping up against the Czechs, it will be back to this ground in the picturesque town of Kutaisi, about two-and-a-half hours North-East of England’s training base, for the quarter-finals.
All in all, a very satisfying evening for the Young Lions in front of big boss Southgate – and for Smith Rowe in particular.
