England Under-21s delivered a commanding display in Chisinau as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Moldova in UEFA Euro 2027 qualifying on October 10, 2025. With a perfect record after two matches, the Young Lions under Lee Carsley are making quite a statement early in their campaign.
From the opening whistle, England’s intent was clear. The Young Lions, reigning European Under-21 champions in both 2023 and 2025, arrived in Moldova keen to assert their dominance and build on their opening win in the group. They wasted little time settling into their rhythm, probing the Moldovan defense with a blend of youthful energy and tactical discipline.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute, and it was a moment of individual brilliance combined with collective movement. Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, thriving in the number 10 role, orchestrated the attack. His off-the-ball run drew two Moldovan defenders, creating the space for Chelsea winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to cut inside from the left. Gittens unleashed a low, driven shot from 18 yards that zipped past goalkeeper Victor Dodon at the near post. "That settled any early nerves," as Playmakerstats noted, and England never looked back.
Moldova tried to respond, forcing England goalkeeper James Beadle into action on a couple of occasions, but the Birmingham City shot-stopper dealt comfortably with the hosts’ best efforts. England’s defense, marshaled by Beadle and supported by Max Alleyne—on loan at Watford—kept the Moldovan attack at bay, while Rico Lewis and Brooke Norton-Cuffy provided width and composure at the back.
As the first half wore on, England’s confidence grew. Jobe Bellingham and Tyler Dibling both came close to doubling the lead, with Dibling’s darting runs and Bellingham’s left-footed strike narrowly missing the target. Moldova’s best spell arrived early in the second half, with Stefan Bitca’s set-piece delivery prompting Beadle to punch clear, but the Young Lions weathered the brief storm with poise.
The game’s turning point arrived just past the hour mark. Nwaneri, again at the heart of the action, produced a clever reverse pass to Divin Mubama, who is spending the season on loan at Stoke City. Mubama took one touch inside the Moldovan box and finished coolly into the corner, notching his maiden goal at Under-21 level. "Mubama doubled the lead on 63 minutes after racing on to a precise through ball from Ethan Nwaneri, finishing coolly into the corner," reported Playmakerstats. The goal was a testament to both Mubama’s composure and Nwaneri’s vision.
England’s momentum was relentless. Just four minutes later, substitute Josh King—making his Under-21 debut—was brought down in the box by Moldova’s Vlad Pascari after another incisive pass from Nwaneri. The referee pointed to the spot, and Mubama stepped up. He switched feet, sending Dodon the wrong way and converting the penalty with aplomb. "Mubama switched from left foot to right foot before dispatching the spot-kick into the bottom left corner for his second of the game," the England Football report confirmed.
With the result all but sealed, England continued to press. Brooke Norton-Cuffy forced another good save from Dodon, while substitutes Thierry Small and Tyrique George added fresh legs to the attack. Moldova, for their part, struggled to regain any foothold as England’s midfield, anchored by Archie Gray and Jobe Bellingham, dictated the tempo.
The night was capped off in style with a minute left in regulation. Rico Lewis, who had been a constant presence up and down the right flank, picked up the ball deep in his own half. Driving forward with purpose, Lewis surged past a backtracking Moldovan defense before firing a powerful shot inside the left-hand post from the edge of the penalty area. It was his first goal for the Under-21s, a reward for an impressive all-around performance. "Lewis got just reward for a fine individual display by finishing from close range to register his first goal for the Under-21s," as highlighted by City’s match report.
England’s starting lineup featured Beadle in goal, a back line of Lewis, Alleyne, Josh Acheampong, and Norton-Cuffy, with Bellingham captaining the side from midfield. Mubama led the line, supported by Gittens, Nwaneri, Dibling, and Gray. The depth of talent on display was apparent, with substitutes like King, Small, and George all making positive contributions off the bench.
For Moldova, there were fleeting moments of promise—an early header from Matteo Obleac and a blocked shot by Stefan Bitca—but England’s superior quality shone through. Moldova’s coach Serghei Cebotari made several changes in an attempt to stem the tide, but the Young Lions proved too strong.
Nwaneri’s performance was particularly eye-catching. Granted freedom to roam and create, the Arsenal youngster provided two assists and was involved in the buildup to the penalty. "It was Nwaneri who was the star of the show, as he helped his side to maintain their perfect record," wrote one post-match report. His partnership with Gittens, Dibling, and Mubama gave England a dynamic edge in attack, while Bellingham’s leadership ensured composure in midfield.
The win keeps England top of Group D—though Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland, each with a game in hand, briefly overtook them after a 2-2 draw. Still, the Young Lions’ 100 percent record after two matches cements their status as early favorites in the qualifying campaign.
Looking ahead, England Under-21s will return home to face Andorra at Derby County’s Pride Park on October 13, with kickoff scheduled for 19:45 BST. The squad will hope to extend their perfect start and continue building momentum as they chase another European crown.
Lee Carsley’s young side have set the tone for the campaign—clinical in attack, resolute in defense, and brimming with youthful flair. With talents like Nwaneri, Mubama, and Lewis stepping up, England fans have every reason to be optimistic about the road ahead. For now, the Young Lions’ roar echoes across Europe, and all eyes turn to Pride Park for the next chapter in their qualifying journey.
