DANE SCARLETT headed dominant England to a winning start in the Under-20 World Cup.
Toothless Tunisia created little as Ian Foster’s men triumphed in second gear during a low-key group opener in Argentina.
England’s deserved breakthrough arrived after 25 minutes of possession-based superiority.
Skipper Harvey Vale conjured space for a lovely cross that Scarlett rose to firmly nod home.
The striker, who has been on loan at Portsmouth from Tottenham, is tipped for greater things at club level.
And that clinical finish showed why.
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The Young Lions remained on top, albeit with few clear opportunities until sub Daniel Jebbison nearly netted twice in stoppage time.
Brentford’s Daniel Oyegoke was lively down the right on an evening where England had most of the ball throughout.
And midway through the second period Alfie Devine lunged to divert the ball inches wide of the far post.
Tunisia’s approach play was laboured as they struggled to put together a threatening spell.
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And their first truly menacing moment came from a cheeky free-kick from way out on the right.
Instead of whipping the dead-ball into the middle, sub Mohamed Dhaoui fired a near-post shot that keeper Matthew Cox parried well.
Dhaoui then cut in from the same flank to drill a long-range left-footer that tested Cox again.
But those two efforts aside, it was comfortable for the Young Lions.
it was the first ever match between these two countries at U-20 level.
And whereas England have qualified from the World Cup group stages five times in 11 events, Tunisia have never made it beyond the first phase.
That gap in pedigree showed as the Young Lions kept the Africans at bay and then finished the contest strongly.
Sheffield United frontman Jebbison wriggled through on the left for a fierce shot tipped behind – then soon smashed a pull-back off the right post.
England, who have not appeared in the tournament since winning it six years ago, also face Uruguay and Iraq in the four-team group.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
