England Under-21s began the defense of their European crown with a professional 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan in Aktobe on September 8, 2025, marking the opening match of their UEFA U21 Euro 2027 qualifying campaign. Despite a changing of the guard in Lee Carsley’s squad, the Young Lions showed poise and promise, blending experienced hands with fresh faces in a performance that underlined their dominance in youth football over the past decade.
The reigning champions, coming off back-to-back European titles in 2023 and 2025, faced a Kazakhstan side buoyed by a recent 1-0 win over Andorra. The hosts, still chasing their first-ever qualification for a major tournament at any level, hoped to build on their strongest campaign to date. However, England’s pedigree and depth proved decisive from the outset.
Carsley’s lineup reflected a new era for England U21s, with 14 uncapped players included in the squad and several stalwarts from previous triumphs—such as Harvey Elliott and Elliot Anderson—now ineligible due to age. Tottenham’s Archie Gray, the most experienced in the group with 13 U21 caps, anchored a side featuring debuts for Chelsea duo Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George. The starting eleven, as predicted by several outlets, included James Beadle in goal; a backline of Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Acheampong, Max Alleyne, and Tyler Dibling; a midfield trio of Gray, Jack Hinshelwood, and captain Jobe Bellingham; and a forward line of Ethan Nwaneri, Jamie Gittens, and Divin Mubama.
England wasted little time asserting themselves. The opening salvo came just two minutes in, as Norton-Cuffy’s low cross found Mubama, whose touch forced a sharp save from Kazakhstan keeper Dulat Talyspayev. The breakthrough, though, was only briefly delayed. In the 18th minute, Mubama controlled a long ball over the top, chested it down inside the box, and set up Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, who rifled a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. It was a moment of composure and quality from the 18-year-old, whose stock continues to rise on the international stage.
“Mubama did well to control a long ball over the top inside the box and chest down into the path of Nwaneri who charged onto the ball to lash home the opener from the edge of the box,” reported England Football, capturing the precision of the move.
England doubled their advantage just five minutes later. Everton’s Tyler Dibling delivered a pinpoint corner from the right, and Jobe Bellingham—wearing the captain’s armband and making his first appearance since missing the summer’s tournament due to club commitments—rose highest in the center of the box to nod home his first goal for the U21s. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder, younger brother of senior England star Jude Bellingham, celebrated with visible relief and pride.
“Captain Jobe Bellingham, 19, headed in a second for England when he met a corner from Everton’s Tyler Dibling,” noted BBC Sport, highlighting the significance of the moment for the new skipper.
With a two-goal cushion, the Young Lions managed the game with maturity. Nwaneri nearly added a third before halftime, winning a free-kick just outside the box and curling a shot toward the top right corner, only for Talyspayev to palm it away. After the break, Jamie Gittens tried his luck from a similar set-piece position, but his effort sailed just high and wide.
Kazakhstan, to their credit, refused to roll over. The hosts enjoyed a spell of pressure around the 70th minute, with Alexandr Mrynskiy threading a pass to Nurali Zhaksylyk, who cut inside but dragged his shot just wide of the far post. England’s defense, marshaled by Acheampong and Alleyne, stood firm, and Beadle was called upon for a couple of routine stops. As the clock wound down, substitute Romain Esse saw a curling shot flash across the face of goal, but neither side could alter the scoreline.
Carsley’s substitutions reflected the depth at his disposal, with Romain Esse (Crystal Palace), Thomas Watson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United), and Ashley Phillips (Stoke City) all seeing action in the second half. Nwaneri, Gittens, and Miley made way as England sought to manage minutes and maintain control.
The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 win, maintaining England’s remarkable record in U21 Euro qualifiers—just two losses since 2012—and extending their unbeaten run against Kazakhstan at this level. The Young Lions have yet to concede a goal to the Kazakhs, having previously won 1-0 and 3-0 in the 2016 qualifiers.
England’s path to the 2027 tournament in Albania and Serbia is far from straightforward. Only the group winners qualify automatically, along with the best runner-up, while the remaining second-placed teams face play-offs for the final berths in the 16-nation event. Group D also includes Andorra, Moldova, the Republic of Ireland, and Slovakia, setting the stage for a competitive campaign.
Looking ahead, England travel to Chisinau to face Moldova on October 10, before returning home to host Andorra at Derby County’s Pride Park three days later. Carsley will be eager to build on this strong start and integrate the new faces into a cohesive unit capable of challenging for a historic third consecutive title—a feat never before achieved by the Young Lions.
Kazakhstan, meanwhile, will regroup after a spirited display, still seeking their first qualification for a major finals at U21 level. With club football on the rise, as evidenced by Kairat Almaty’s Champions League breakthrough, there remains optimism that the national team can continue to progress.
For England, the blend of emerging talent and established prospects bodes well for the future. With Nwaneri and Bellingham already making their mark, and a host of uncapped players hungry to impress, the journey to Albania and Serbia promises to be as compelling as ever. The Young Lions have set the standard—now, the challenge is to maintain it as the qualification campaign unfolds.
