A hat-trick from Nathan Redmond has given England Under-21 a 3-1 win over Wales Under-21 in their qualifier for the 2015 European Championships at the Liberty Stadium this evening.
The Norwich City striker broke the deadlock inside the opening 20 minutes, but Gwion Edwards pulled one back after just two minutes for the hosts.
Redmond edged England back in front just before the break before sealing the win in stoppage time to leave the Young Lions needing just one point to secure a place in next year's tournament.
Read how all the action unfolded below:
Good evening, it's just under half an hour until kickoff at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea. The two sides have already named their teams for the fixture, so let's take a look at the squads...
WALES STARTING XI: Roberts, Freeman, John, Lucas, Ray, Walsh, Edwards, Pritchard, Burns, Evans, Isgrove
ENGLAND STARTING XI: Butland, Jenkinson, Garbutt, Chalobah, Keane, Moore, Ince, Ward-Prowse, Ings, Lingard, Redmond
WALES SUBSTITUTES: Ward, Fox, O'Sullivan, Alfei, Loveridge, Williams, Ogleby
ENGLAND SUBSTITUTES: Browning, Bond, Forster-Caskey, Obita, Kane, Berahino, March
Nathan Redmond scored the only goal last time these teams met, and is named in the visitors' starting lineup for this evening's tie. Burnley's leading goalscorer Danny Ings and Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard will also lead the attack, while Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland takes the captain's armband for England.
For the home side, captain Lee Lucas and midfielder Gwion Edwards, who both play their club football with Swansea City, should feel at home at the Liberty Stadium this evening. Cardiff City defender Declan John is also included for the hosts, while Lloyd Isgrove of Southampton and Wolves' Lee Evans lead the attack.
Heading into tonight's match, England need four points from their three remaining fixtures in this qualifying campaign to be sure of a place in the 2015 tournament, so a win this evening would be a big step. However, Wales can still reach the tournament, despite currently sitting nine point behind England in third in group one, and only lost by a single goal in the reverse fixture.
The pitch looks perfect here at the @LibertyStadium ahead of Wales v England in a @UEFAcom U21 Qualifier. KO 7.30pm. pic.twitter.com/oJ1ZaesKOu
— FA Wales (@FAWales) May 19, 2014
Ahead of this evening's match, England manager Gareth Southgate told the Football Association's website: "Wales will be a really good challenge for us. They showed enough in the last game in terms of their speed on the counter attack and were resilient defensively. They've got some good footballers, some of who have had good spells with their clubs since the game in March, so we're under no illusions that this will be a big test and probably our toughest game in the group."
Meanwhile, Wales boss Geraint Williams told reporters: "We certainly aim to try and go one better. Against England the team defended well, but this time we need to use the ball better and to take any opportunities that come our way. But we need to look at our players firstly and make sure they are ready to go out and represent Wales to the best of their ability and try and win the game."
PREDICTION! With kickoff just a couple of minutes away, let's make a quick prediction. Wales proved a tricky opponent for England's Under-21s earlier in the campaign, and it should be another close match tonight, but I think Gareth Southgate's side should just have enough, so I'm going for a 2-1 win to the visitors.
The players have just made their way out onto the pitch. Just ahead of kickoff, there will be both nation's anthems.
Right then, the pre-match formalities are almost complete, so kickoff should be just a couple of moments away.
National anthems sung at the Liberty Stadium. Now it's time for action. #WalvEng pic.twitter.com/lI9ViwFscp
— The FA (@FA) May 19, 2014
England get the match underway.
CHANCE! England are on the attack from the start as James Ward-Prowse plays the ball out from the back before sending a through ball to Jesse Lingard, who in turn pulls it back for Nathan Redmond, but the Norwich striker sliced finish well wide. Redmond has a chance to cross the ball back in for Lingard a few moments later, but it goes behind for a goal kick.
England's bright start continues when Redmond forces a corner while battling with Kieron Freeman, but Connor Roberts comes off his line to claim the ball straight from Carl Jenkinson's delivery.
CHANCE! It's all England at the moment! Luke Garbutt, who is making his Under-21 debut for the visitors this evening, makes a brilliant run forward before crossing in for Danny Ings, but the Championship player of the season drifts offside while trying to head in.
CHANCE! Redmond and Lingard are looking like a potent double act up front this evening. This time it's Redmond with the cross for Lingard, but the Manchester United forward headed just over.
Wales get the ball down the other end for the first time tonight as Lloyd Isgrove shows blistering pace for the home side, but he comes under pressure from Garbutt as he breaks into the box, and can't get a shot on target.
The home side have just started to find their way into the match now as Wes Burns looks to apply some pressure on the edge of the England penalty area, but Tom Ince drops back into defence and does enough to force the striker to concede a goal kick.
Redmond is on the ball again and quickly looks for Lingard with a low cross from the left side of the box, but Declan John makes the clearance. While Wales have certainly been tested at the back in the opening spell, they've coped well so far.
GOAL! Wales 0-1 England (Redmond)
England are ahead after a costly errors by Lloyd Isgrove. The Southampton striker has the ball and tries to turn to make the clearance for the hosts, but he fails to stop Redmond sprinting up behind him, and he loses the ball to the Norwich man, who calmly slots the ball in.
GOAL! Wales 1-1 England (Edwards)
Wales response to Redmond's goal has been fantastic and they've got themselves back on level terms in just two minutes. Wes Burns forced Jack Butland to make his first save of the evening with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, which gave the hosts their first corner of the game. As the ball was delivered back into the box, Gwion Edwards found himself unmarked, and managed to rise high to nod the ball past the Stoke keeper for the equaliser.
Wales's equaliser seems to have rattled England a little. The Young Lions had been in control of the match and deserved their goal, but led for just two minutes and now have it all to do again. They'll have to be careful not to let the hosts in again.
CHANCE! Wales are looking for another, and almost take the lead when Lee Evans makes a run towards the box, but Butland somehow manages to keep the strike out with his fingertips. The visitors are living dangerously at the moment.
Garbutt is having a fantastic debut for the Young Lions as he makes his way forward again before trying to set up Lingard, but his effort is blocked. The Everton defender wins the ball back and rounds Freeman before trying to slot into an empty net, with Roberts having slipped moments earlier, but his finish was deflected wide.
CHANCE! Wales look to catch their opponents out with a quick counter-attack as Evans picks out Isgrove with a long ball forward. Isgrove can't get the shot away himself but does manage to find Burns, but his shot is straight at Butland.
CHANCES! How on Earth did Connor Roberts deny Jesse Lingard? The striker tries to chip the ball over the Wales keeper, who was on the edge of the six yard box. The Celtenham keeper parried the ball away from goal, but it dropped to Lingard again. With his second effort, the Man Utd man tried to power the ball in, but somehow Roberts blocks it again, despite still being off his line and on his knees. Great determination by the keeper there.
CHANCE! Roberts is making some superb saves for Wales this evening. Garbutt continued to look lively down the left wing and tries his luck with a curling effort from the edge of the box. It looks to be heading into the top corner, but Roberts watches it all the way before tipping it wide.
GOAL! Wales 1-2 England (Redmond)
What a finish from Redmond! Ince tried to fire the ball in from out wide, but Walsh clears. However, it's quickly claimed by Garbutt who squares the ball to Redmond who hits it first time from 20 yards out, leaving Roberts no chance in the hosts' goal.
SUB! Wales make their first change of the night with Lloyd Isgrove making way for George Williams. Isgrove doesn't appear to be injured, but has made a couple of errors so far, including one that led to Redmond's first.
Williams's fresh legs provide an early test for England as the substitute makes a pacy run through the midfield before looking for Burns, but the ball goes harmlessly behind for a goal kick.
SUB! It's another change for the hosts, and this time it is because of injury. Josh Pritchard appeared to hurt his back in the run up to Redmond's second goal, and is unable to carry on after undergoing to treatment on the sidelines, so Tom O'Sullivan of Cardiff City comes on in his place. Wales will have to be careful in the second half, with just one substitution left.
England are pushing forward again, but Williams wins the ball before Roberts boots it clear. England soon have it back though, and Tom Ince tries to curl the ball in from the right hand side of the box, but it goes just wide. Meanwhile, there will be two minutes of stoppage time before the break.
The visitors are just looking to keep possession at the moment and wind the clock down. While a third goal would be important, the first half has been played a frantic pace and a slower couple of minutes will be welcomed by both sides as half time approaches.
HALF TIME: Wales Under-21 1-2 England Under-21
At half time, England lead thanks to a brace from Nathan Redmond, while a Gwion Edwards header has kept the home side in the game.
It had looked like England would dominate the match after being in complete control early on and breaking the deadlock inside the opening 20 minutes, but conceding seemed to wake the Welsh youngsters up, while several spectacular saves from Connor Roberts have prevented England from behind further ahead.
Wales have certainly had chances to claim more than one themselves, with Jack Butland making three saves in the opening 45 minutes. However, England had conceded just once in the qualifying campaign before tonight, so they'll have to work to get back on level terms.
One concern for the home side will be their substitutes, they've already had to make two, so will be hoping to avoid any injuries early in the second. England still have all three changes available to them.
The players are starting to make their way back out.
Wales get the second half underway.
SUB! Wales will have to be very careful in the second half as Kieron Freeman does not return for the second half. Danny Alfei comes in at the back.
England are looking to get forward early on. Carl Jenkinson bursts forward before looking to cross to Danny Ings, but the Burnley striker can't control the ball and Wales get it clear. Ings was kept relatively quiet in the first half so will be keen to have more of an impact in the second 45 minutes.
Burns tries to get himself into room down the other end and wins a corner for the visitors. Declan John found Burns with his delivery from the corner, but the ball had a little too much on it for the forward to turn it in.
Jenkinson makes a clumsy challenge on Williams 25 yards out, giving the home side a free kick in a dangerous position, but Evans overhits the ball, giving England a goal kick. Wales have certainly been more involved in the opening moments of this half then they did in the first.
CHANCE! Tom Ince wins the ball in midfield and takes the shot himself from just outside the box, despite having Ings in space ahead of him, but his shot isn't taken well, finishing high in the stand behind the goal.
CHANCE! Redmond looks keen to get his hat-trick as he tries to volley the ball in from the edge of the box, but it curls just wide at the last second.
SUB! England make their first change of the night, with Ings's quiet evening coming to an end. Saido Berahino comes off the bench to take his place up front.
BOOKING! James Ward-Prowse is the first player to be shown the yellow card this evening after mis-timing a tackle on Williams, who had been charging through midfield for the hosts.
OFF THE POST! Redmond is so close to completing his hat-trick after collecting the ball from Lingard out side, rounding two defending and firing in a low strike only to see the ball bounce back of the left upright.
CHANCE! Berahino is involved for the first time as makes a good run into the box before trying to pull the ball back for Lingard, but Walsh heads it behind for a corner, which is swiftly cleared by the hosts.
CHANCE! Roberts has to remain alert in the Wales goal again as Jesse Lingard carves his way through the Welsh defence before smashing the ball towards the goal, but the keeper comfortably held it.
The rain is really starting to come down is Swansea now as England continue to push for their third goal. Lingard slides the ball forward for Berahino, but the substitute can't quite squeeze it in from a tight angle.
BOOKING! Nathaniel Chalobah picks up a booking after a late follow through on O'Sullivan. It's a nasty looking collision, but the defender seems to be ok to continue.
While England haven't looked as threatening in the second half as they did at times in the first, it's still been fairly comfortable since the break, with the home side only finding themselves in the England box once so far. That said, you wouldn't bet against the visitors extending their lead before the end of the match.
CHANCE! Connor Roberts makes another save as Lingard tries to slice the ball in from the left side of the box, but the keeper forces it wide for a corner.
The rain is absolutely torrential now, making it a little trickier for the players. It seems to be favouring the hosts as they manage to break forward and Edwards manages to win a corner.
SUB! The visitors make their second change bringing on Harry Kane in place of Tom Ince.
There's a stoppage in play as George Ray is caught in the face by a trailing boot from Kane. It's left him with a small cut on his cheek, but with Wales having already used all three subs he'll be carrying on.
Harry Kane hasn't been moving too well since his collision with Ray and he's having to be helped to the sidelines for treatment just four minutes after coming off the bench.
The ball is starting to move around a little slowly as some standing water is accumulating. Lingard tries to force a third goal but the damp conditions cause him to mis-hit his shot, and it goes well over.
SUB! After less than five minutes on the pitch, Harry Kane is forced off with a foot injury. Jake Forster-Caskey replaces him, earning his first Under-21 cap.
Wes Burns tries to cross the ball in for Evans as the hosts look for a late equaliser. Butland comes off his line to clear the ball and almost gets it wrong when he loses his footing, but he just manages to get it away.
England are just trying to keep hold of the ball in the closing minutes to make sure the hosts don't get back on level terms, although Wales are trying to chase it down. There will be three minutes of stoppage time for Wales to find their second, or for England to put the win beyond doubt.
GOAL! Wales 1-3 England (Redmond)
Nathan Redmond looked determined to complete his hat-trick earlier in the half and he's finally done so, making a quick break before taking the shot on from the just inside the box. Replays suggest it may have just touched Berahino's hand on the way in, but that won't stop Redmond claiming it.
FULL TIME: Wales Under-21 1-3 England Under-21
So a Nathan Redmond hat-trick leaves England on the verge of qualifying for the 2015 Under-21 European Championship. The Norwich City forward collects the match ball as he makes his way off the pitch. Wales can still make the playoffs, but they'll have to win their last two qualifying matches.
England looked pretty comfortable throughout, but would have been worried late on when the damp conditions appeared to be favouring the home side. However, Gareth Southgate will be pleased to have maintained his unbeaten start to his role as the Under-21's manager.
That's all from the Liberty Stadium this evening, but stick around to read our match report. Thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.
Written by
Sian Cowper
Sian Cowper
Spain U21s
