Kazakhstan U21 vs England U21. European Under-21 Championship Qualifying Group I.
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Monday 10 October 2016 11:36, UK
England Under-21s have qualified for next summer's European Championship in Poland after a 1-0 win in Kazakhstan on Thursday.
Demarai Gray finished from close range early in the first half to give England the three points, and was denied a second late on by a fine Stanislav Pavlov save.
England needed the win to qualify for next summer's competition, and started Leicester forward Gray up front on his own in Aktobe.
And he put England ahead after just seven minutes, sweeping home from eight yards after Nathan Redmond's deflected cross from the right wing.
England dominated the first half, but failed to create many clear-cut chances, and were nearly made to pay just before half-time.
Getting on the end of a cut-back across the penalty area, Yerkebulan Tunggyshbayev's effort from 12 yards was blocked superbly by Brendan Galloway as the ball looked to be heading for the bottom corner.
Everton defender Mason Holgate hit the bar in the second half with an over-hit cross from the right wing, before Ruben Loftus-Cheek missed a glorious opportunity to give England their second, failing to lift the ball over Pavlov from close range after Gray's superb through ball.
The hosts pushed for an equaliser late on, but Boothroyd's side held on to finish the job Gareth Southgate started, and qualify for the tournament in Poland, which kicks off on June 16.
