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Last updated on 11 minutes ago.From the section Football
England have appeared at every European Under-21 Championship since 2007Harvey Elliott scored twice as England boosted their 2025 European Under-21 Championship qualifying hopes with a big victory in Azerbaijan.
The Liverpool forward opened the scoring in the 25th minute and grabbed a second in the second half, after Noni Madueke and Jaden Philogene had netted either side of half-time.
Ramin Nasirli pulled a goal back for the hosts after 86 minutes.
But Leeds' Archie Gray hit England's fifth to seal an impressive success.
At 18 years and 10 days old, Gray's 88th-minute effort meant he became the fourth-youngest player to score for England Under-21s.
Elliott is England's top scorer during the qualifying campaign with five goals. The 20-year-old also claimed a double against Northern Ireland on his previous appearance.
England moved back to the top of Group F on goal difference with the victory, although they have played one game more than Ukraine who beat them in October.
Group winners and the three best second-placed teams advance straight to the finals in Slovakia, while the remaining six runners-up can qualify through the play-offs.
England next face Luxembourg at Bolton's Toughsheet Community Stadium on Tuesday.
Line-ups
Azerbaijan U21
Formation 5-4-1
- 1Samiqullin
- 19Safarov
- 13Mammadov
- 4HüseynovBooked at 74mins
- 15Damadayev
- 20AhmadovBooked at 73mins
- 9AkhundzadeSubstituted forNasirliat 84'minutes
- 8YusifliSubstituted forAbdurahmanovat 45'minutes
- 11SafarovSubstituted forHasanzadaat 89'minutes
- 7DzhafarovSubstituted forVeliyevat 59'minutesBooked at 68mins
- 18SalyanskiySubstituted forAbdullayevat 59'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Rzayev
- 5Hasanzada
- 6Abdurahmanov
- 10Abdullayev
- 14Süleymanli
- 17Veliyev
- 21Ramazanov
- 22Ramazanov
- 23Nasirli
England U21
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Trafford
- 2LewisSubstituted forNorton-Cuffyat 83'minutes
- 5Harwood-Bellis
- 23Wood
- 3Doyle
- 19ElliottBooked at 42minsSubstituted forScottat 75'minutes
- 6Morton
- 10McAteeBooked at 60minsSubstituted forGrayat 83'minutes
- 11MaduekeSubstituted forIling-Juniorat 75'minutes
- 20Rogers
- 7PhilogeneSubstituted forBynoe-Gittensat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Quansah
- 9Stansfield
- 12Norton-Cuffy
- 13Tickle
- 14Scott
- 15Cresswell
- 17Iling-Junior
- 18Gray
- 21Bynoe-Gittens
Live Text
Match ends, Azerbaijan U21 1, England U21 5.
Second Half ends, Azerbaijan U21 1, England U21 5.
Foul by Alex Scott (England U21).
Süleyman Damadayev (Azerbaijan U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Azerbaijan U21. Nazim Hasanzada replaces Emil Safarov.
Goal! Azerbaijan U21 1, England U21 5. Archie Gray (England U21) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
Goal! Azerbaijan U21 1, England U21 4. Ramin Nasirli (Azerbaijan U21) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.
Attempt saved. Samir Abdullayev (Azerbaijan U21) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Qurban Safarov with a through ball.
Foul by Morgan Rogers (England U21).
Murad Veliyev (Azerbaijan U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Offside, Azerbaijan U21. Samir Abdullayev is caught offside.
Substitution, Azerbaijan U21. Ramin Nasirli replaces Nariman Akhundzade.
Substitution, England U21. Brooke Norton-Cuffy replaces Rico Lewis.
Substitution, England U21. Archie Gray replaces James McAtee.
Foul by Rico Lewis (England U21).
Rüfat Ahmadov (Azerbaijan U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Offside, Azerbaijan U21. Samir Abdullayev is caught offside.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match (England U21).
Foul by Tyler Morton (England U21).
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