Ethan Nwaneri scored in his first start, helping England's U21 team defeat Portugal in a thrilling friendly match held at The Hawthorns. This victory showcased England's attacking prowess and resilience.
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03-25, 2025Midfielder Hayden Hackney opened the scoring for the home side, and then Nwaneri, who just turned 18 on Friday, doubled the lead within just 10 minutes with a curling shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner. Portugal had previously come close to scoring and pulled one back midway through the first half when captain Fabio Silva met Rodrigo Ribeiro's cross from close range.
Portugal could have leveled the score before halftime, but Pedro Santos's shot hit the post after Silva believed he was fouled by England goalkeeper James Beadle. Both sides had chances in the second half until Omari Hutchinson extended England's lead again in the 76th minute with a close-range header. The goal provided a cushion for England, but the game was far from over.
Portugal responded again, with Carlos Borges netting a rebound with five minutes remaining after his initial shot was blocked. Despite the visitors' efforts to equalize, Jaden Philogene sealed the victory for Lee Carsley's team with a cool finish in stoppage time, ending a swift counter-attack. This late goal secured the win and demonstrated England's ability to capitalize on opportunities.
Carsley made several changes to his squad during this international break as he assesses his options for the European U21 Championship. The result was undoubtedly pleasing, with England scoring and conceding a total of seven goals in two matches against France and Portugal. This period of evaluation will be crucial in determining the final squad for the upcoming tournament.
