Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard spared England’s blushes on Sunday, his late goal securing a 1-0 win over Sweden in their second game of the UEFA Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic.
The midfielder scored five minutes from time with a right-foot shot after picking up a deflected ball outside the penalty area following a corner.
The win handed England provisional third spot in Group B with three points, the same as second-placed Sweden and one point behind group leaders Portugal, who were held to a goalless draw by Italy in Sunday’s other match.
Photo: Reuters
Lingard came on in the 54th minute as a substitute for Alex Pritchard, who had limped off the pitch with what looked like an ankle injury.
After Thursday’s opening 1-0 loss to Portugal, England once again struggled up front, with Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane squandering a few good chances, including a promising 28th-minute header that narrowly missed the target.
England lost West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino — the top scorer in qualifying with 10 goals in as many games — to a knee injury just before the Portugal game.
Photo: Reuters
“We had faith we had players on the field that could get the goal,” England coach Gareth Southgate told the UEFA Web site.
“We started to create more chances as the game went on and we had to hold our nerve. In the end it was a wonderful piece of skill that wins us the game, but we had dominated possession,” he said.
In the last Group B games, England take on Italy and Sweden face Portugal tomorrow.
Germany lead Group A with four points from two games after beating Denmark 3-0 on Saturday, while hosts the Czech Republic thrashed Serbia 4-0 on the same day to take provisional second spot.
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