England came from behind to beat Kazakhstan 4-2 in an entertaining affair at Molineux to all but book their place at the European Under-21 Championship next year.
Slovakia’s defeat to the Republic of Ireland earlier meant England’s win put them six points clear with two games left, with a hugely superior goal difference and on the brink of qualification for the tournament in Albania and Serbia.
Kazakhstan sit at the bottom of Group D and their last win in the competition came in June 2025, so it was a big shock when they took the lead over the group leaders in the third minute courtesy of Artyom Litosh’s close-range strike.
England soon showed their quality, though they required some luck when Ali Turganov’s own goal got them level before Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong produced a striker’s finish to put them in front.
Kazakhstan again stunned Molineux to get level through Saif Popov before the break but England managed to secure the win through Max Alleyne’s second-half strike before Will Lankshear’s debut goal wrapped up the points.
Many expected England to make a quick start but it was the minnows who put themselves in front when Miras Omatay’s corner landed at the feet of Litosh who was left unmarked six yards out to poke home in the third minute.
England had plenty of Premier League and European quality inside the team and started to show it after a shaky start. Divin Mubama had a crack from range which needed to be turned behind by Miras Rikhard amongst a succession of corners.
The Young Lions were level after Kazakhstan tried to get rid of a ball into the box, but a clearance from Sultan Askarov ricocheted off the back of Turganov to get them level.
Lee Carsley’s side were in front six minutes later when Chelsea youngster Acheampong lined one up from range and fired into the bottom left corner with a pinpoint strike.
The game developed into shooting practice for England, and Coventry’s Stephen Mfuni hammered one off the crossbar from range before Ethan Nwaneri had an effort at the near post saved by Rikhard.
However, against the run of play, Kazakhstan came biting back again and after Popov saw his first effort saved by James Beadle, it bounced back in his favour to turn home the rebound.
A neatly worked free-kick routine got England’s noses back in front as Nwaneri’s floated free-kick was nodded back across by Acheampong who turned provider for fellow centre-back Alleyne to sweep home.
Beadle was called into action again to stop Kazakhstan from equalising at the end before Lankshear went down the other end and poked home from Jobe Bellingham’s cross to seal the win.
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