ENGLAND have got their U20 World Cup campaign off to the perfect star with a 1-0 win over Tunisia.
Tottenham starlet Dane Scarlett scored the game’s only goal as the Young Lions now look towards their second group game against Uruguay.
- Kick-off time: 7pm
- TV/Live stream: Eurosport
- England U20 XI: Cox, Scott, Humphreys, Quansah, Devine, Scarlett, Vale, Gyabi, Edwards, Edozie, Oyegoke
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Head and shoulders above opponents
Dane Scarlett rose above the Tunisian defenders to head home Harvey Vale’s pinpoint cross.
When balls of that sort of quality are put into the box, it only takes a touch for a certain goal.
The North African’s keeper had no chance of keeping it out.
This result will give the Young Lions even more confidence as they look to progress in this tournament.
Credit: Getty That’s why we’re champions
England showed the grit and determination that rocketed them to victory in the Euros against Israel.
They looked as though they had another gear they could have shifted into, should they need to.
It was the result that mattered but Ian Foster will be pleased with the performance that came with it.
Credit: @England Foster ensures side do not slip up
There has been a bitter feeling in the England camp in the lead up to this tournament after clubs pulled their players from the squad.
Ian Foster was without three of his first team regulars as a result of the decisions.
The Young Lions’ manager, reshuffled the pack and managed to grind out a victory in their opening fixture.
As the defending champions of UEFA Euros, they will face their South American equivalent, in what will be the toughest game they expect to face in this group.
Young Lions get off to winning start
England have started their 2023 FIFA World Cup campaign with a win, albeit a slender one against Tunisia.
The North Africans are appearing at the tournament for the first time since 1985 and gave a good showing of themsleves.
Matthew Cox did not have a busy evening in the England goal but when he was called upon, he did well.
They will face a much more difficult opponent in Uruguay later in the week but have time to prepare for it now.
FT: England 1-0 Tunisia
England almost added the icing to the cake at the end of game as Daniel Jebbison struck the woodwork.
It seemed he had the goal at his mercy but his side footed effort came back off the post.
The Young Lions dominated the game today as most would have expected but with their depleted squad, they will just be happy for the win.
Gloss can be added to these performances when the rest of the squad fly out to Argentina.
Credit: Getty FT: England 1-0 Tunisia
The referee brings the game to a close.
England fully deserve their win today in their opening group game.
Ian Foster’s side make a winning start to their campaign.
England 1-0 Tunisia
90+4. As England counter, the ball is played to Jebbison.
He twists and turns and gets a shot off at goal.
The Tunisia keeper does well to get down and save in the bottom corner.
England 1-0 Tunisia
90+2. It is important that England hold firm in defence now.
A goal for Tunisia would undo all the hard work the Young Lions have put in tonight.
Meanwhile, the North African side try to buy a free kick, deep into English territory.
Credit: Getty England 1-0 Tunisia
90. We are into the final minutes of England’s opening group game.
It could be the perfect start to their 2023 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Tunisia are looking to make a couple more changes, desperately trying to find a goal.
There will be five additional minutes added here.
England 1-0 Tunisia
88. This could have been a much tougher game for Ian Foster’s side had Daoui started this game.
The Tunisian attacker seems to have a lot in his locker.
England start to pass the ball around, managing the game now.
England 1-0 Tunisia
86. Scott manages to win the ball from Daoui.
It gives England the chance to counter attack.
Oyegoke does well faced with two defenders to win a corner.
England 1-0 Tunisia
84. Every time Tunisia come forward, England look a little edgy.
As we edge closer to the full time whistle, it would be heart-breaking for the Young Lions to concede an equaliser now.
The North Africans are trying to get forward more and more.
Credit: Getty England 1-0 Tunisia
82. Nasraoui comes on for Yacoud.
Scarlett comes off for Jebbison.
Dane Scarlett could still be the match winner with his goal this evening.
England 1-0 Tunisia
80. Daoui has looked very dangerous since coming on.
Picking the ball up in midfield, he ghosts past two English challenges and shoots from outside the box.
Cox is behind it and gathers the ball at the second attempt.
England 1-0 Tunisia
78. Scarlett does well to take the ball down with one touch as it is knocked more directly to him.
Holding it up well, he looks to bring more players into the attack.
On this occasion the keeper manages to come and collect the ball.
England 1-0 Tunisia
76. We are into the final fifteen minutes of the game now.
England will have to be on their guard not to concede an equaliser with their slender lead.
They are well worth their lead but would have hoped to made their dominance counts a little more.
England 1-0 Tunisia
74. That free kick from Daoui called Cox into action for the first time this evening.
It looks like England are going to make some changes.
Xavier Simons and Mateo Joseph both come on for England.
Credit: Getty England 1-0 Tunisia
72. Tunisia have a free kick just outside the box in a wide area.
Daoui looks to beat the keeper at his near post, forcing him into a smart save.
Clever free kick from the Tunisian striker.
England 1-0 Tunisia
70. Tunisia come on a rare break into England territory.
It all looks a little laboured and slow as they pass the ball around.
England press and force them back into their own half.
England 1-0 Tunisia
68. Devine almost makes it two nil to England.
His flick towards the back post narrowly misses.
Hearts in mouths time for the Tunisian defence there.
England 1-0 Tunisia
66. England will face a much tougher challenge in three days time when they play Uruguay.
For that reason, it is important they hold onto all three points this evening.
Sassi concedes a corner to England.
Credit: Reuters
England 1-0 Tunisia
64. Tunisia trying to make things happen in the final third of the pitch with that substitution.
They need to try and find a goal if they are going to get back into this game.
Meanwhile, Oyegoke is down after a heavy challenge.
England 1-0 Tunisia
62. Dhaoui looks set to come on for Tunisia.
The young striker is highly rated in this team, many wondered why he didn’t start against England today.
Sassi puts in a heavy challenge, taking player and ball.
England 1-0 Tunisia
60. Vale is starting to get more delivery into the box.
England need to get more players in the box in support of his runs.
All too often, only Scarlett is showing for him.
England 1-0 Tunisia
58. A second goal may well see this Tunisia team off.
The longer it stays at a one-goal lead, the North Africans will feel they are still in this game.
Oyegoke manages to cross but Tunisia hack it clear.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
