Report: England MU19s 2-0 Portugal

England men’s under-19s qualified for this summer’s UEFA Under-19s European Championships with a 2-0 victory against Portugal.

Tottenham striker Dane Scarlett scored twice in the first half to help the Young Lions win what was ultimately a group decider against Portugal.

With both sides beating Armenia 4-0 and Portugal defeating the Republic of Ireland 4-1 compared to England’s 3-1, the Young Lions went into tonight’s match knowing a draw would not be enough to qualify for the Finals, with only the seven group winners joining hosts Slovakia this summer in the eight-team tournament.

And Ian Foster’s men got off to an ideal start when they took the lead on ten minutes. Brooke Norton-Cuffey’s cross found Scarlett in the middle of the penalty box and he slotted the ball past Andre Gomes.

England went close to doubling their advantage midway through the half when Alfie Devine sent a free-kick just wide of the goal.

But the Young Lions did get a second five minutes before the break, when Portugal’s goalkeeper brought down Devine and Scarlett dispatched the spot-kick into the bottom right-hand corner.

Portugal had a couple of free-kicks in dangerous positions but Matthew Cox was able to save one and the other went narrowly wide.

And England were able to see out the game with relative ease and qualify for this summer’s EUROs Finals in Slovakia, which will take place between June 18 and July 1.

England: 1 Matthew Cox; 2 Brooke Norton-Cuffey, 6 Jarell Quansah, 16 Bashir Humphreys, 3 Callum Doyle; 8 Carney Chukwuemeka, 4 Timothy Iroehbunam; 7 Alfie Devine, 10 Aaron Ramsey, 11 Harvey Vale ©; 9 Dane Scarlett

Substitutes: 18 James Balagizi for Devine 46, 12 Daniel Oyegoke for Norton-Cuffey 71, 14 Xavier Simons for Ramsey 76, 20 Daniel Jebbison for Scarlett 76, 15 James Norris for Chukwuemeka 89

Substitutes not used: 13 Ted Sharman-Lowe, 15 James Norris, 17 Samuel Edozie

Goals: Dane Scarlett 10, 40 (p)

Bookings: Carney Chukwuemeka 49, James Balagizi 65, 

Head coach: Ian Foster

Attendance: 6,005