Gordon seals England U21s Euro semi-final spot

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Anthony Gordon playing for England Under-21sEngland topped their group with three wins out of three
Date: Sunday, 2 July Time: 17:00 BST Venue: Ramaz Shengelia Stadium, Kutaisi, Georgia
Coverage: Live text commentary and reaction on BBC Sport website & app

England head coach Lee Carsley says he has some of Europe's best young players as his side look to beat Portugal on Sunday for a place in the European Under-21 Championship semi-finals.

The Young Lions have had a perfect start to the tournament in Georgia.

Three consecutive 2-0 victories saw England top their group.

"If we can create an environment where they can express themselves, we've got some of the best young players in Europe," Carsley said.

"If they're given the opportunity on a regular basis they can show it. Half of it is believing in them. Create a platform for them to create and attack. That for me is success - good players who can produce when it matters.

"It is a big test - the pressure is on. We've got 120 minutes to do it in. We've prepared for all eventualities and hopefully we can perform again.

"I don't feel like we've got cabin fever and are ready to go. I still feel like there is a lot more from the team. I think they have different levels they can go to.

"We've definitely focused on going all the way. I'm not getting a feeling the players are looking beyond this game. Hopefully we'll be there for the duration."

England will be without Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliot who has left the camp for a pre-planned family engagement.

Manchester City midfielder Tommy Doyle is also a doubt for the match at the Ramaz Shengelia Stadium in Kutaisi with a knock on his knee he picked up in training.

The match is available to watch for free on the Uefa website, but currently no broadcaster in the UK has purchased the rights to televise the England team's matches.

"It's a little bit frustrating because you always want to showcase the next generation," Carsley said.

"It would've been brilliant for more people to see what the next senior internationals look like. We hope if we can keep progressing then we can get a little bit more coverage."

If they beat Portugal on Sunday, England will play either hosts Georgia or Israel who they have already beaten in Group C.

The match will be played at the Batumi Arena on Wednesday, July 5 with the final held in the same stadium on July 8.

Line-ups

England U21

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Trafford
  • 14Garner
  • 5Harwood-Bellis
  • 4Colwill
  • 2AaronsBooked at 51mins
  • 23Madueke
  • 21Gomes
  • 17Jones
  • 8J RamseySubstituted forSmith Roweat 67'minutes
  • 11Gordon
  • 7Gibbs-White

Substitutes

  • 3Thomas
  • 6Skipp
  • 9Archer
  • 10Smith Rowe
  • 12Branthwaite
  • 13Griffiths
  • 15Cresswell
  • 16Johnson
  • 18Doyle
  • 20Palmer
  • 22Rushworth

Portugal U21

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Ansumane Biai
  • 13Natário Ferreira
  • 16Penetra Correia
  • 3Fonseca Amaro
  • 5Tavares
  • 17Gonçalves Neves
  • 6Oliveira Dantas
  • 4de Almeida CostaSubstituted forGonçalves Bernardoat 45'minutes
  • 11Fernandes da Conceição
  • 20Fábio SilvaSubstituted forAraújoat 65'minutes
  • 7Neto

Substitutes

  • 2Morais Cardoso Vital
  • 8Gonçalves Bernardo
  • 9Araújo
  • 10de Pinho Sousa
  • 12Jumpe Soares
  • 14Lemos Araújo
  • 15da Cruz Lelo
  • 18Ribeiro Almeida
  • 19Carvalho Oliveira
  • 21Cardoso Sousa
  • 22Meira Meixedo
  • 23da Silva Moreira

Live Text

  1. João Neves (Portugal U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  2. Foul by Max Aarons (England U21).

  3. Foul by Henrique Araújo (Portugal U21).

  4. Taylor Harwood-Bellis (England U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Attempt blocked. Henrique Araújo (Portugal U21) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Paulo Bernardo.

  6. Substitution, England U21. Emile Smith Rowe replaces Jacob Ramsey because of an injury.

  7. Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  8. Delay in match because of an injury Jacob Ramsey (England U21).

  9. Substitution, Portugal U21. Henrique Araújo replaces Fábio Silva.

  10. Francisco Conceição (Portugal U21) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  11. Foul by Curtis Jones (England U21).

  12. Foul by Zé Carlos (Portugal U21).

  13. Jacob Ramsey (England U21) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  14. Foul by André Amaro (Portugal U21).

  15. Morgan Gibbs-White (England U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Foul by Fábio Silva (Portugal U21).

  17. Levi Colwill (England U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  18. Attempt missed. Paulo Bernardo (Portugal U21) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Pedro Neto with a cross.

  19. João Neves (Portugal U21) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  20. Foul by Levi Colwill (England U21).

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