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Published 23 March 2024 4 min read
Men's U17

Report: England MU17s 5-0 Hungary

Written by:

Zac Vassell

England men’s under-17s continued their winning ways with a convincing display over Hungary, as the Young Lions were able to claim a dominant 5-0 victory.

After a fast start to proceedings, England found an opener just nine minutes into the fixture, as striker Baylee Dipepa found the back of the net with a smart, low finish.

The lead was doubled not long after, as captain Christopher Rigg finished off a wonderfully worked team move with an impressive finish in off the post.

The constant pressure did not dwindle from England after the break, as Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri produced a precise top-corner strike, to provide Greg Lincoln’s side with their third early in the second half.

A composed finish was soon to follow as Christian McFarlane gave England their fourth midway through the second half, with another beautiful finish by substitute Luca Fletcher sealing the deal for Lincoln and his team.

It was an impressive showing from the MU17s from the start, with the hosts nullifying any real attacking threat from their opponents throughout the first half. Commanding defensive displays from both Kian Noble and Stephen Mfuni, provided the Hungarian attackers with little opportunity to test Spike Brits in net.

This early dominance by the home side was rewarded with an early lead being taken. With excellent footwork being shown inside the box, Port Vale forward Dipepa finished his first chance of the game with an intelligent finish just outside the six-yard-box.

England refused to let up after their opener, with a handful of chances coming courtesy of the left-sided tangent of Nwaneri and McFarlane.
England MU17s lineup against Hungary at St George's Park
England MU17s lineup against Hungary at St George's Park
The exploits of McFarlane led to England’s second goal of the game, coming in the 26th minute. Some great team play on the left-hand side resulted in Rigg being found in acres of space near the penalty spot. Finishing of the move with a left-footed strike, the MU17s captain put his country two to the good heading into half time.

The Young Lions continued in the second half as they did to start the first, with a constant threat being provided on the flanks throughout, by both fullbacks and wingers alike. An early second-half chance for Crystal Palace forward Derry set the tone for what was to come.

And the home side looked to finish the game early on in the second half, as the left-sided tangent came to fruition yet again. An impressive long-range finish by Nwaneri in the 56th minute was soon followed by McFarlane slotting away England’s fourth of the match ten minutes later.

Another cool finish was to follow, as striker Luca Fletcher came off the bench to provide the home side with their fifth of the day.

Hungary were similarly kept quiet in the second half, with a remarkably solid defensive performance across the England team allowing the visitors only a handful of chances yet again, with none worrying the England goal all too much.

As for England, they march on convincingly to their second win in the UEFA U17 EURO elite round, as they now turn their attention to their upcoming fixture against France on Tuesday 26 March (7pm).

England: 1 Spike Brits (Man City), 2 Leo Shahar (Newcastle), 3 Christian McFarlane (New York City), 4 Joshua King (Fulham), 5 Stephen Mfuni (Manchester City), 6 Kian Noble (Manchester City, 7 Jesse Derry (Crystal Palace), 8 Christopher Rigg (C) (Sunderland), 10 Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), 14 Baylee Dipepa (Port Vale), 19 Ollie Harrison (Chelsea)

Substitutes: 9 Luca Fletcher (Manchester City) for Dipepa 70, 20 Divine Mukasa (Manchester City) for Derry 70, 11 Trevan Sanusi (Newcastle) for King 80, 16 Samuel Amissah (Fulham) for Shahar 80, 17 Ryan Mcaidoo (Chelsea) for Nwaneri 80

Substitutes not used: Oliver Whatmuff (Manchester City), Jaden Dixon (Stoke City), Jay Robinson (Southampton), Harry Amass (Manchester United), Divine Mukasa (Manchester City)

Head Coach:
Greg Lincoln

Goals: Dipepa (Port Vale) 9’, Rigg (Sunderland) 26’, Nwaneri (Arsenal) 56’, McFarlane (New York City) 66’, Fletcher (Manchester City) 82’

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