Report: Croatia 0-2 England MU18s

England men’s under-18s will advance to the next round of qualifying for the new 2027 UEFA U19 EURO series after beating Croatia 2-0.

It marked the Young Lions’ final game of the March window, recording two wins – against Bulgaria and Croatia – and a defeat which came against Spain.

Two quick-fire goals in the first half were enough to see Ben Futcher’s side over the line in Križevci.

On the half hour mark, an own goal from Nikolas Matić put England a goal to the good.

And just two minutes later, Dean Benamar doubled the Young Lions’ advantage before the break.

The result means England remain in League A for the second round qualifying for next year’s tournament – which will be staged in the Czech Republic – while Bulgaria were relegated to League B.

England: 13 Freddy Bernal (Chelsea), 2 Dante Headley (Manchester City), 6 Kaden Braithwaite (Manchester City), 8 Louis Page (Leicester City), 9 Chizaram Ezenwata (Chelsea), 11 Reigan Heskey (Manchester City), 14 Godwill Kukonki (Manchester United),15 Dean Benamar (Crystal Palace), 16 Harrison Miles (Manchester City), 17 Finlay Gorman (Manchester City), 20 Jeremy Monga (Leicester City)

Substitutes: 19 Lorenz Hutchinson (Leicester City) for Monga 76’, 18 Benjamin Casey (Crystal Palace) for Ezenwata 76’, 10 Reggie Walsh (Chelsea) for Page 76’, 12 Wesley Okoduwa (Wolverhampton Wanderers) for Heskey 84’

Substitutes not used: 1 Jack Porter (Arsenal), 3 Landon Emenalo (Chelsea), 4 Freddie Simmonds (Brighton & Hove Albion), 5 Malachi Hardy (Tottenham Hotspur), 7 Brad Burrowes (Aston Villa)

Head coach: Ben Futcher

Goals: OG 30’, Benamar 32’