Czech Republic U21 0-2 England U21: Jacob Ramsey & Emile Smith Rowe give Young Lions win

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones says the current England Under-21 side is “one of the best I’ve seen” after they opened their European Championship campaign with victory over the Czech Republic.

Newcastle forward Gordon then had a goal ruled out for an infringement by Morgan Gibbs-White, but Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe sealed victory deep into stoppage time when he tapped in at the far post after being teed up by Cameron Archer.

Lee Carsley’s side, who are now in a strong position to reach the knockout stage, face Israel in their next group match on Sunday (17:00 BST).

“It’s the perfect way to start,” said Jones. “It’s always good to win your first game.

“We’ve got a team that ability wise and talent wise is one of the best I’ve seen. It’s hard to put us all in the team.

“I just get on the ball, I turn and there’s lads there that I can trust on the ball. It’s easy.”

England must ‘capitalise’ on ‘really good start’

England had not won the opening game of a European Under-21 Championship since 2009 and Carsley named an attacking line-up, with Gordon, Gibbs-White, Jones and Chelsea’s Noni Madueke all in the starting XI.

Prior to Ramsey’s opener, England also went close in the first half when Madueke curled a shot against the bar after some good work on the right-hand side, while three other chances also went begging.

The Young Lions did not have it all their own way, with the Czech Republic’s best chance falling to forward Vasil Kusej, who raced through on goal but shot wide.

It is two years ago to the day that the senior England team beat the Czech Republic during their run to the Euro 2020 final – and Carsley’s side will hope their victory puts them on the same path.

“It was important that we got off to a really good start,” said the former Everton midfielder. “The preparation has gone so well.

“But we’ve done nothing yet. We’ve got a good start so we’ve got to make sure we capitalise on that.”

Germany drew 1-1 with Israel in Thursday’s other Group C game, while Switzerland beat Norway and France won 2-1 against Italy in Group D.

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