ENGLAND’S U21 have got off to a losing start in the Euros as a strike from Dan Ndoye secured all three points for Switzerland.
Aidy Boothroyd’s men failed to threaten during the game and have it all to do to qualify from a group also containing Portugal and Croatia.
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FULL TIME STATS
England managed just one shot on target – a free-kick from Callum Hudson-Odoi – in their opening Group D game against Switzerland despite having almost two-thirds of possession.
Statistics courtesy of UEFA.Com FT: ENGLAND U21 0-1 SWITZERLAND U21
It’s a low-key performance and a disappointing result for England in their opening game of the European U21 Championships. In a game of few chances, the tactically-superior Swiss won through thanks to Dan Ndoye’s strike of good fortune. Aidy Boothroyd’s team now have it all to do against Portugal and Croatia in their final two Group D games to avoid another early exit.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER IN KOPER!
ENGLAND U21 0-1 SWITZERLAND U21
90+4. The Swiss take the ball towards the corner flag, and win a free-kick while Skipp is booked for his frustrations.
It’s going to be an opening game defeat for England.
ENGLAND U21 0-1 SWITZERLAND U21
90+3. England up the ante and the tempo although it all seems a little too late.
Hudson-Odoi fires a cross into a packed a penalty area, but it’s expertly claimed by Racioppi.
ENGLAND U21 0-1 SWITZERLAND U21
90. England are awarded a throw-in in a promising position as four minutes stoppage time are signalled by the fourth official.
If that brings hope of a leveller, the throw doesn’t. It’s easily booted to safety by Zesiger.
ENGLAND U21 0-1 SWITZERLAND U21
89. Ramsdale gathers a loose ball, and immediately looks to release it quickly in the hope that his side can find an equaliser. However, there are so few options available to the goalkeeper that he has to wait for Guehi to show himself.
That perhaps sums this England performance up.
ENGLAND U21 0-1 SWITZERLAND U21
87. Aidy Boothroyd looks on helplessly from the touchline. The England coach is staring down the barrel of another defeat. He has been here before.
ENGLAND U21 0-1 SWITZERLAND U21
85. The Swiss make another change with their late call-up – and usual captain – Kevin Ruegg on for Bastien Toma.
ENGLAND U21 0-1 SWITZERLAND U21
82. Hudson-Odoi departs the pitch to collect his new footwear, and then returns without gaining the referee’s permission.
The result is a ridiculous yellow card that leaves the Chelsea man completely incredulous.
ENGLAND U21 0-1 SWITZERLAND U21
80. Hudson-Odoi loses a boot, and it sends the England trainer on a mad dash around the pitch to supply the forward with another.
ENGLAND U21 0-1 SWITZERLAND U21
78. Disaster for England as Dan Ndoye opens the scoring!
It’s a goal of immense fortune for the Swiss, but it had been coming.
There was little danger as Ndoye collected a pass on the left, and looked to make room for himself to shoot from 25 yards out.
However, the forward slipped at the point of impact, and only succeeded it hitting the ball against his other foot. Up it looped despairingly over Aaron Ramsdale and into the top corner.
The Young Lions have it all to do now if they are to avoid beginning the Championships with a defeat.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL!!
DAN NDOYE BREAKS THE DEADLOCK!!ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
76. England make their second double change.
Dwight McNeil saved England moments ago, but it’s his last act. Ryan Sessegnon and Rhian Brewster are on with McNeil and Eddie Nketiah going off.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
74. Chance for the Swiss! Imeri lines up a shot from 25 yards out that almost creeps beyond Ramsdale before the England goalkeeper readjusts himself to push out.
It looks all set for Lotomba to convert on the follow up, but McNeil gets across well to cut out the danger.
Another let off for England.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
73. Impressive acrobatics from Nketiah, who executes an instinctive overhead kick as Hudson-Odoi’s poor free-kick makes his way through to the forward.
It ends up well over the crossbar but still.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
70. Jankewitz fizzes in a teasing cross from the right that is very well dealt with by Godfrey.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
68. A McNeil corner from the right is defended well by Switzerland. It’s the first time the Swiss have looked assured at an England set-piece.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
66. Then it’s a double change for England.
Eberechi Eza and Curtis Jones are on for the Young Lions with Emile Smith Rowe and Tom Davies making way.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
65. A first set of substitutions are prepared.
Kastriot Imeri comes on for the Swiss in place of Jeremy Guillemenot. It’s likely to mean Dan Ndoye is pushed up front with the incoming Imeri taking over in midfield.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
63. Racioppi finally makes a save! The Switzerland stopper throws himself to his left to push away Hudson-Odoi’s effort from the free-kick.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
62. Another yellow, this time shown to Bamert after the defender put an arm across Nketiah, who was threatening to break free.
It brings England a free-kick in a promising position, approximately 25 yards from goal.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
60. The first yellow card of the game is shown to Swansea’s Marc Guehi. The defender is cautioned for sliding in and catching Guillemenot with his studs.
Switzerland coach Mauro Lustrinelli wants a greater punishment, but the England man clearly made contact with the ball first.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
59. It’s more through luck than judgement in the build-up, but Nketiah finally manages to unleash his first shot in anger. It’s brilliantly blocked by Bamert.
ENGLAND U21 0-0 SWITZERLAND U21
57. A great battle between McNeil and Toma in midfield. The Burnley man looks to have got the better of his opponent with an excellent tackle, but Toma fights back and does really well to come away with the ball.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
