Report: England MU21s 0-0 Slovakia

England sealed their passage to the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with a goalless draw against Slovakia in Stoke.

The hosts, who only needed to avoid a four-goal defeat to book their qualification to next year’s finals in Serbia and Albania, were forced to settle for a share of the points as Slovakia drew level with the Republic of Ireland in Group D ahead of their final group fixture.

Will Lankshear went close twice on his first start and Max Alleyne saw his inventive flick hit the post from Ethan Nwaneri’s low corner in the first half.

Much of the bet365 Stadium thought England had scored within seven minutes when Lankshear rose to nod a clipped ball over Adam Hrdina in the Slovakian goal, but his effort fell just wide, with Tyrique George inches away from nodding it in himself.

Sydie Peck lofted his curled effort over the crossbar from outside the box but it was George who looked the most dangerous, constantly beating his man down the left.

England continued to press for the opener. Alleyne’s ingenious flick from Nwaneri’s low corner crashed off the upright and George’s bicycle kick on the rebound looped harmlessly over.

The Everton winger continued to create and found the head of Lankshear with a spinning cross, but once again the Middlesbrough striker headed narrowly wide. Hrdina then beat away an arrowed shot from Josh Acheampong.

In the second half, the space opened up for Samuel Amo-Ameyaw to check onto his left foot, but the Strasbourg man was left disappointed with his skied effort.

But the visitors, six points behind England with two games to play, began to get a foothold in the game and prompted a couple of nervy moments from the host's backline.

Lee Carsley opted to bring on Josh King and Divin Mubama, who dragged his shot wide from a tight angle.

England’s greatest successes had come down the left all night, as Amario Cozier-Duberry picked up where George had left off but still couldn’t find the final ball to unlock stubborn Slovakia.

And as the seconds ticked by, the visitors retreated further and further into their half.

With just a minute left, Tyler Dibling flicked a cross in that was begging for a touch, but it was just beyond the reach of Mubama in the centre.

England will face Ireland in Cork in their final group fixture on Tuesday, before looking to defend their title next summer.

England: 1 James Beadle (Birmingham); 2 Rico Lewis (Manchester City), 4 Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), 3 Max Alleyne (Burnley), 5 Ashley Phillips (Middlesbrough), 14 Archie Gray (Tottenham), 8 Sydie Peck (Sheffield United), 10 Ethan Nwaneri (Borussia Dortmund), 19 Tyrique George (Everton), 16 Will Lankshear (Middlesbrough), 7 Samuel Amo-Ameyaw (Strasbourg)
Substitutes: 20 Tyler Dibling (Everton) for Amo-Ameyaw 62’, 21 Amario Cozier-Duberry (Middlesbrough) for George 62’, 9 Divin Mubama (Southampton) for Lankshear 71’, 18 Josh King (Fulham) for Nwaneri 71’

Substitutes not used: 13 Tommy Simkin (Doncaster); 15 Stephen Mfuni (Coventry), 6 Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (Koln), 12 Divine Mukasa (West Ham), 17 Harrison Armstrong (Everton)

Head coach: Lee Carsley

Slovakia: 1 Adam Hrdina; 4 Hugo Pavek, 2 Tobiáš Pališčák, 5 Jakub Jakubko, 3 Filip Mielke, 8 Mário Sauer, 22 Samuel Gidi, 14 Tadeáš Hájovský, 9 Alexej Maroš, 10 Nino Marcelli, 7 Zoran Riznić

Substitutes: 11 Lukáš Mikulaj for Maroš 46’, 21 Timotej Hranica for Riznić 57’, 13 Jakub Pira for Marcelli 57’, 18 Artúr Musák for Hájovský 74’, 16 Miroslav Sovič for Sauer 86’

Substitutes not used: 12 Sebastian Zajac; 6 Tomas Marusin, 20 Adam Rajnoha, 17 Milan Rehus

Head coach: Jaroslav Kentos