SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 77 mins
Czech Republic 1-3 England
Another England change as Lee Carsley's thoughts start to turn to Sunday's match with Slovenia.
Samuel Iling-Junior is sent on for Omari Hutchinson with the Young Lions in firm control.
Summary
Liverpool's Elliott drives in opener in first half; Rowe forces a second after break before Fila hits back; Cresswell heads third
Lee Carsley's England looking to defend title in Slovakia
Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 77 mins
GOAL - Czech Republic 1-3 Englandpublished at 75 mins
Charlie Cresswell
That's it, surely?
That's MASSIVE as Charlie Cresswell leaps to meet Alex Scott's corner and plants it into the back of the net.
VAR has a look at it...but the England celebrations go on.
The Young Lions are heading for a winning start.
Image source, ReutersCLOSE!published at 73 mins
Czech Republic 1-2 England
A lovely piece of individual skill by Ethan Nwaneri as he goes past a Czech Republic player as though he isn't there before firing just wide.
The teenager is full of twists and turns and England's opponents are struggling to cope with his energy.
Postpublished at 71 mins
Czech Republic 1-2 England
Into the last 20 minutes.
The Czechs are starting to look a little tired and England are trying to catch them on the break.
Harvey Elliott tries to send through Tino Livramento but it's just about cut out.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 21:33 British Summer Time 12 June
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Elliot Anderson player of the match so far. He's dominating the centre of midfield. Might not be flash, but he does the hard yards for this team.
Brissy
Postpublished at 21:32 British Summer Time 12 June
Czech Republic 1-2 England
John Murray
BBC Radio 5 Live chief football correspondent
Image source, ReutersIn case you missed it in the first half, Alex Scott, the Bournemouth midfielder is wearing this head strapping which cradles his jaw after the broken jaw that he suffered towards the end of the Premier League season in that clash with Tyrone Mings when they played Aston Villa.
It looks most unusual.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 69 mins
Czech Republic 1-2 England
Here we go...fresh legs for England.
A double change.
On comes Jay Stansfield and 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri for Jonathan Rowe and captain James McAtee.
Postpublished at 67 mins
Czech Republic 1-2 England
Has anyone told Archie Gray that he has a new club manager?
Tottenham have confirmed Thomas Frank's appointment while this match has been taking place.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 65 mins
Czech Republic 1-2 England
First change of the match - and it's a Czech Republic substitution.
Adam Karabec is on for goalscorer Daniel Fila.
Postpublished at 62 mins
Czech Republic 1-2 England
This is on a knife-edge. The next goal is going to be so crucial.
The Czech Republic win another corner and a red shirt gets on the end of it and heads it towards the net.
Fortunately for England, it lacks power and it's a routine save for James Beadle in the end.
Image source, Reuters'Nwaneri might be a game changer'published at 21:22 British Summer Time 12 June
Czech Republic 1-2 England
Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraEngland's wide players Hutchinson and McAtee are players that like to go forward but they don't beat players, they look to drag them out of position.
Nwaneri who is on the bench might be a little bit of a game changer in that respect.
Postpublished at 60 mins
Czech Republic 1-2 England
Is it time for the fresh legs of talented teenager Ethan Nwaneri?
Postpublished at 59 mins
Czech Republic 1-2 England
Penny for Lee Carsley's thoughts.
We're approaching the hour mark. Does he freshen things up and makes changes or does he stick with those on the pitch who have got the team in a winning position.
England are working hard out of possession. They've weathered a Czech Republic storm and are starting to threaten again at the other end.
Image source, Getty Imagesget involved Get Involvedpublished at 21:19 British Summer Time 12 June
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Why don’t just drop the senior team for the WC and play this team instead. We may not win, but might be more fun
Tim
'England causing themselves problems'published at 21:18 British Summer Time 12 June
Czech Republic 1-2 England
Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraEngland are losing the ball in midfield and are getting counter attacked. They are causing themselves problems by being sloppy in possession.
Carsley calls for calmpublished at 21:18 British Summer Time 12 June
Czech Republic 1-2 England
Alex Howell
BBC football news reporter in the DAC ArenaLee Carsley is asking for calm from his players and encouraging them to start playing es again to calm the game down.
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 55 mins
Czech Republic 1-2 England
This is a good watch but England will be kicking themselves.
The Czech Republic looked down and out after that second goal but the Young Lions have allowed them a way back into this.
There's still a long way to go in this.
'Czech Republic deserved a goal'published at 21:16 British Summer Time 12 June
Czech Republic 1-2 England
Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraSejk cuts inside and is unopposed by Cresswell, who has to get closer to him. The real concern is how much room Fila got in the middle of the penalty area. Unopposed, it's a simple header from three yards out to put Czech Republic back in the game. They deserved a goal.
Postpublished at 21:13 British Summer Time 12 June
Alex Howell
BBC football news reporter in the DAC ArenaMore excellent work from Tino Livramento. He's been England's standout player tonight,
GOAL - Czech Republic 1-2 Englandpublished at 50 mins
Daniel Fila
That's just what England didn't need!
The Czech Republic have their tails back up as Daniel Fila nods beyond James Beadle after a dangerous cross by captain Václav Sejk.
Image source, Getty Images
Jonathan Rowe celebrates with team-mates after scoring England's second goal
Harvey Elliott set England Under-21s on the way to a successful start as the holders began their European Championship title defence with victory against the Czech Republic.
Head coach Lee Carsley had to deal with a number of squad withdrawals in the build-up to the tournament in Slovakia but still named an attacking side for the Young Lions' opening match.
England took the lead in the 39th minute when Tino Livramento, who was a constant threat from left-back, had a cross deflected into the area and the ball fell to captain James McAtee who teed up Liverpool's Elliott to drill a low shot into the net.
Livramento was involved again for England's second goal when he beat his man with an excellent piece of skill, and his low cross into the box got a slight touch from Jonathan Rowe which beat Czech goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.
The Czech Republic pulled one back just three minutes later when Daniel Fila headed in Vaclav Sejk's chipped cross.
England made sure of the win when Charlie Cresswell headed in Alex Scott's curling corner after 76 minutes.
What was the main talking point?
Before this tournament, Carsley challenged his current team to be better than the group he coached to the Euros trophy two years ago in Georgia.
That team won all six matches and did not concede a goal on their way to glory, so it is a high bar. However, in a creative 4-2-2-2 formation, there were signs that this team could go deep into this tournament.
Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Bournemouth's Scott were a solid base in midfield, while the system Carsley chose allowed him to fit in four attacking players that could interchange.
Having Livramento and Archie Gray playing at full-back meant that Carsley had players who were comfortable when receiving the ball in tight areas in most positions on the pitch.
Ethan Nwaneri was introduced as a second-half substitute, looking sharp during his 20 minutes on the pitch, and the 18-year-old Arsenal winger could be a big asset as the tournament progresses.
Who stood out and who did not?
Livramento was England's standout player as they began their mission in the town of Dunajska Streda.
The Newcastle full-back did a good job of threatening by going on the outside of defenders to cross the ball while also still cutting inside to start attacks.
Anderson was also impressive in midfield and did well to manage his game after picking up a yellow card in the opening 20 seconds. But all England players gave a good of themselves.
Player of the match
Number: 2 T. Livramento
Average rating 8.40
Number: 19 K. Spáčil
Average Rating: 5.20Number: 16 L. Horníček
Average Rating: 5.17Number: 9 V. Sejk
Average Rating: 5.09Number: 5 Š. Chaloupek
Average Rating: 4.98Number: 7 D. Fila
Average Rating: 4.98Number: 21 F. Vecheta
Average Rating: 4.91Number: 18 F. Prebsl
Average Rating: 4.90Number: 13 K. Daněk
Average Rating: 4.79Number: 10 A. Karabec
Average Rating: 4.78Number: 4 M. Suchomel
Average Rating: 4.74Number: 14 V. Stránský
Average Rating: 4.69Number: 6 P. Vydra
Average Rating: 4.62Number: 22 M. Hadaš
Average Rating: 4.58Number: 20 J. Koželuh
Average Rating: 4.58Number: 12 A. Sojka
Average Rating: 4.57Number: 3 O. Kričfaluši
Average Rating: 4.34Number: 2 T. Livramento
Average Rating: 8.40Number: 19 H. Elliott
Average Rating: 7.69Number: 8 E. Anderson
Average Rating: 7.63Number: 5 C. Cresswell
Average Rating: 7.19Number: 11 O. Hutchinson
Average Rating: 7.11Number: 14 A. Gray
Average Rating: 7.09Number: 20 A. Scott
Average Rating: 7.08Number: 1 J. Beadle
Average Rating: 7.00Number: 21 E. Nwaneri
Average Rating: 6.86Number: 4 J. Quansah
Average Rating: 6.80Number: 18 J. Stansfield
Average Rating: 6.75Number: 10 J. McAtee
Average Rating: 6.68Number: 9 J. Rowe
Average Rating: 6.48Number: 6 H. Hackney
Average Rating: 6.27Number: 23 T. Morton
Average Rating: 6.11Number: 17 S. Iling-Junior
Average Rating: 6.10After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport s.
The standout stats
England dominated the ball in this game and had 68.4% of possession - also having more touches in the box than their opponents.
The Czech Republic had 12 touches in England's penalty area compared to the 33 the Young Lions had in theirs.
What's next for these teams?
England are next in action against Slovenia on Sunday in the second round of matches in Group B, while the Czech Republic take on on the same day.
Where next?
Related topics
UEFA U21 Championship Scores & Fixtures
Thursday 12th June
UEFA U21 Championship Table
On Thursday 12th June
Skip to table key
Match Participants:
Group A
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Spain U21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
|
2 Italy U21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
|
3 Slovakia U21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
|
4 Romania U21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
- England U21, Position 2, Points 3
- Czech Republic U21, Position 3, Points 0
Group B
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 U21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
|
2 England U21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
3 Czech Republic U21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
4 Slovenia U21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
Group C
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Georgia U21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
2 U21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
3 Portugal U21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
4 Poland U21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
Group D
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Denmark U21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
|
2 Netherlands U21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
|
3 Finland U21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
|
4 Ukraine U21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
|
Key
- Position 1, 2 : Quarter-finals
Team Lineups
home team, Czech Republic U21
Manager: Jan Suchopárek
Formation: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Pitch Formation
16, Hornícek, Goalkeeper
5, Chaloupek, Defender
18, Prebsl, Defender
19, Spácil, Defender
22, Hadas, Midfielder
14, Stránsky, Midfielder
6, Vydra, Midfielder
4, Suchomel, Midfielder
13, Danek, Attacking Midfielder
7, Fila, Striker
9, Sejk, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 16, L. Horníček
- Number 19, K. Spáčil
- Number 18, F. Prebsl
- Number 5, Š. Chaloupek
- Number 4, M. Suchomel
- Number 6, P. Vydra , substituted for O. Kričfaluši at 87 minutes
- Number 14, V. Stránský , substituted for A. Sojka at 81 minutes
- Number 22, M. Hadaš , substituted for J. Koželuh at 86 minutes
- Number 13, K. Daněk , substituted for F. Vecheta at 81 minutes
- Number 9, V. Sejk , Captain
- Number 7, D. Fila , substituted for A. Karabec at 64 minutes
Substitutes
home team, Czech Republic U21
- Number 1, J. Borek
- Number 8, D. Halinský
- Number 10, A. Karabec
- Number 23, J. Koutný
- Number 20, J. Koželuh
- Number 3, O. Kričfaluši
- Number 11, A. Labík
- Number 17, D. Langhamer
- Number 2, J. Paluska
- Number 12, A. Sojka
- Number 21, F. Vecheta
- Number 15, D. Višinský
away team, England U21
Manager: Lee Carsley
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Beadle, Goalkeeper
14, Gray, Defender
5, Cresswell, Defender
4, Quansah, Defender
2, Livramento, Defender
20, Scott, Defensive Midfielder
8, Anderson, Defensive Midfielder
19, Elliott, Attacking Midfielder
10, McAtee, Attacking Midfielder
11, Hutchinson, Attacking Midfielder
9, Rowe, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, J. Beadle
- Number 2, T. Livramento
- Number 4, J. Quansah
- Number 5, C. Cresswell
- Number 14, A. Gray
- Number 8, E. Anderson , Yellow Card at 1 minute, substituted for H. Hackney at 84 minutes
- Number 20, A. Scott , substituted for T. Morton at 84 minutes
- Number 11, O. Hutchinson , substituted for S. Iling-Junior at 78 minutes
- Number 10, J. McAtee , Captain, substituted for J. Stansfield at 69 minutes
- Number 19, H. Elliott
- Number 9, J. Rowe , substituted for E. Nwaneri at 69 minutes
away team, England U21
- Number 3, R. Edwards
- Number 15, C. Egan-Riley
- Number 7, T. Fellows
- Number 6, H. Hackney
- Number 16, J. Hinshelwood
- Number 17, S. Iling-Junior
- Number 23, T. Morton
- Number 12, B. Norton-Cuffy
- Number 21, E. Nwaneri
- Number 22, T. Sharman-Lowe
- Number 13, T. Simkin
- Number 18, J. Stansfield
home team, Czech Republic U21
Manager: Jan Suchopárek
Formation: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Pitch Formation
16, Hornícek, Goalkeeper
5, Chaloupek, Defender
18, Prebsl, Defender
19, Spácil, Defender
22, Hadas, Midfielder
14, Stránsky, Midfielder
6, Vydra, Midfielder
4, Suchomel, Midfielder
13, Danek, Attacking Midfielder
7, Fila, Striker
9, Sejk, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 16, L. Horníček
- Number 19, K. Spáčil
- Number 18, F. Prebsl
- Number 5, Š. Chaloupek
- Number 4, M. Suchomel
- Number 6, P. Vydra , substituted for O. Kričfaluši at 87 minutes
- Number 14, V. Stránský , substituted for A. Sojka at 81 minutes
- Number 22, M. Hadaš , substituted for J. Koželuh at 86 minutes
- Number 13, K. Daněk , substituted for F. Vecheta at 81 minutes
- Number 9, V. Sejk , Captain
- Number 7, D. Fila , substituted for A. Karabec at 64 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 1, J. Borek
- Number 8, D. Halinský
- Number 10, A. Karabec
- Number 23, J. Koutný
- Number 20, J. Koželuh
- Number 3, O. Kričfaluši
- Number 11, A. Labík
- Number 17, D. Langhamer
- Number 2, J. Paluska
- Number 12, A. Sojka
- Number 21, F. Vecheta
- Number 15, D. Višinský
away team, England U21
Manager: Lee Carsley
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Beadle, Goalkeeper
14, Gray, Defender
5, Cresswell, Defender
4, Quansah, Defender
2, Livramento, Defender
20, Scott, Defensive Midfielder
8, Anderson, Defensive Midfielder
19, Elliott, Attacking Midfielder
10, McAtee, Attacking Midfielder
11, Hutchinson, Attacking Midfielder
9, Rowe, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, J. Beadle
- Number 2, T. Livramento
- Number 4, J. Quansah
- Number 5, C. Cresswell
- Number 14, A. Gray
- Number 8, E. Anderson , Yellow Card at 1 minute, substituted for H. Hackney at 84 minutes
- Number 20, A. Scott , substituted for T. Morton at 84 minutes
- Number 11, O. Hutchinson , substituted for S. Iling-Junior at 78 minutes
- Number 10, J. McAtee , Captain, substituted for J. Stansfield at 69 minutes
- Number 19, H. Elliott
- Number 9, J. Rowe , substituted for E. Nwaneri at 69 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 3, R. Edwards
- Number 15, C. Egan-Riley
- Number 7, T. Fellows
- Number 6, H. Hackney
- Number 16, J. Hinshelwood
- Number 17, S. Iling-Junior
- Number 23, T. Morton
- Number 12, B. Norton-Cuffy
- Number 21, E. Nwaneri
- Number 22, T. Sharman-Lowe
- Number 13, T. Simkin
- Number 18, J. Stansfield
- Referee:
- Elchin Masiyev
- Video Assistant Referee:
- Sören Storks
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Elshad Abdullayev
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Parvin Talibov
- Fourth Official:
- Simone Sozza
- Assistant VAR Official:
- Daniele Chiffi
Match Officials
Match Stats
Key, Czech Republic U21 v EnglandOverall possession
Shots
Czech Republic U21 11England U21 14Shots on target
Czech Republic U21 7England U21 6Total touches inside the box
Czech Republic U21 12England U21 34Goalkeeper saves
Czech Republic U21 3England U21 6Fouls
Czech Republic U21 11England U21 10Corners
Czech Republic U21 4England U21 5Advanced match stats
Shots
Czech Republic U21 11England U21 14Shots on target
Czech Republic U21 7England U21 6Shots off target
Czech Republic U21 1England U21 0Blocked shots
Czech Republic U21 3England U21 8Attempts out of box
Czech Republic U21 4England U21 7Total offside
Czech Republic U21 2England U21 2Total tackles
Czech Republic U21 17England U21 12Won tackles
Czech Republic U21 8England U21 9Fouls
Czech Republic U21 11England U21 10Total yellow cards
Czech Republic U21 0England U21 1Total clearances
Czech Republic U21 19England U21 13Headed clearances
Czech Republic U21 5England U21 5Duels won
Czech Republic U21 38England U21 38Errors leading to shots
Czech Republic U21 1England U21 1Total es
Czech Republic U21 286England U21 642Accurate es
Czech Republic U21 228England U21 591Backward es
Czech Republic U21 43England U21 110Forward es
Czech Republic U21 104England U21 155Total long balls
Czech Republic U21 39England U21 27Successful final third es
Czech Republic U21 31England U21 169Total crosses
Czech Republic U21 14England U21 12Touches
Czech Republic U21 439England U21 808Touches in the box
Czech Republic U21 12England U21 34Dispossessed
Czech Republic U21 8England U21 6Goalkeeper saves
Czech Republic U21 3England U21 6Diving saves
Czech Republic U21 0England U21 3Saved shots from inside the box
Czech Republic U21 2England U21 4Saved shots from outside the box
Czech Republic U21 1England U21 2Keeper throws
Czech Republic U21 4England U21 6Goal kicks
Czech Republic U21 7England U21 5Season so far
UEFA U21 Championship
Key, Czech Republic U21 v England
Goals scored
Czech Republic U21 1England U21 3Form guide
All competitions
Czech Republic U21 lose
v Norway U21
0
2
U21 National Team Friendlies
England U21 won
v Portugal U21
4
2
U21 National Team Friendlies
Czech Republic U21 draw
v Spain U21
2
2
U21 National Team Friendlies
England U21 lose
v U21
5
3
U21 National Team Friendlies
Czech Republic U21 draw
v Belgium U21
1
1
UEFA U21 Championship Qualification
England U21 draw
v Netherlands U21
1
1
U21 National Team Friendlies
Czech Republic U21 won
v Belgium U21
0
2
UEFA U21 Championship Qualification
England U21 draw
v Spain U21
0
0
U21 National Team Friendlies
Czech Republic U21 won
v Lithuania U21
3
0
UEFA U21 Championship Qualification
England U21 won
v Azerbaijan U21
7
0
UEFA U21 Championship Qualification
Previous meetings
All competitions
Czech Republic U21 and England U21Czech Republic U21 Won 1England U21 Won 4Draw 1
Played
6
Previous scores
All competitions
UEFA U21 Championship
Czech Republic U21 0 , England U21 2 on the 22nd of June 2023
Czech Republic U21
England U21
22nd of June 2023
UEFA U21 Championship Qualification
Czech Republic U21 1 , England U21 2 on the 3rd of June 2022
Czech Republic U21
England U21
3rd of June 2022
England U21 3 , Czech Republic U21 1 on the 11th of November 2021
England U21
Czech Republic U21
11th of November 2021