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European Under-21s Championship | Qualifiers
Sep 7, 2015 at 5.45pm UK
 
England national football team

0-1

FT(HT: 0-1)
Ward-Prowse (45' pen.)

Live Commentary: Norway Under-21s 0-1 England Under-21s - as it happened

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the Under-21 Euro 2017 qualifier between Norway Under-21s and England Under-21s.
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A first-half penalty from James Ward-Prowse has given England Under-21s a 1-0 win in their opening qualifier for the 2017 Under-21 European Championships.

Ghayas Zahid came closest for the visitors when he hit the bar, while Martin Odegaard created several chances for the hosts.

However, Nathan Redmond was tripped just inside the box by Norway captain Jonas Gronner just before half time, allowing the Young Lions captain to score from the spot.

Read how all the action unfolded below.


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Good evening! Gareth Southgate's Young Lions will be getting their qualifying campaign for the 2017 Under-21 European Championships in around half an hour, taking on Norway Under-21s. Let's start with a look at the team news.

NORWAY STARTING XI: Rossbach; Gronner, Grogaard, Berisha, Zahid; Fossum, Hareldseid, Jenssen; Thorsby, Selnaes, Odegaard

ENGLAND STARTING XI: Pickford; Gomez, Chambers, Dier, Targett; Loftus-Cheek, Alli, Ward-Prowse; Ibe, Redmond, Woodrow

NORWAY SUBSTITUTES: Bratveit, Meling, Utvik, Trondsen, Aursnes, Celina, Sorloth

ENGLAND SUBSTITUTES: Gunn, Stephens, March, Forster-Caskey, Watmore, Chalobah, Wilson

So, England are unchanged following their 1-0 win in a friendly with the USA Under-23s last week. James Wilson stays on the bench, despite scoring the only goal in that match, but there are first competitive caps for Jordan Pickford, Dele Alli, Joe Gomez and Jordon Ibe.

The home side have made three changes to the side that secured a 2-0 win in their first fixture of the qualifying campaign. The most notable change sees Real Madrid's Martin Odegaard come into the lineup. He already has six caps with the senior side. Ghayas Zahid and Morten Thorsby also start.

England will be hoping to start their qualifying campaign on the right note after a disappointing display in the Czech Republic this summer. The Young Lions won just one of their three matches at the tournament, failing to progress from the group stage, although their victory was against eventual champions Sweden.

Norway didn't qualify for the 2015 tournament, but were involved in 2013, when they were in the same group as England in Israel. On that occasion, Norway thrashed England 3-1, ensuring that they progressed to the semi-finals, while England were eliminated at the group stage again, ending Stuart Pearce's spell in charge of the side. They lost in the last four to eventual champions Spain.

Gareth Southgate's squad has seen plenty of changes following this summer's tournament. Strikers Harry Kane and Saido Berahino, who were the top scorers in qualifying last time, are now too old for the event, as is former captain Jack Butland. With the Stoke City goalkeeper now involved with the seniors, Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse takes the captain's armband.

Here's a look inside the away dressing room in Norway:


It's an artificial pitch in Drammen, but Gareth Southgate admits that he's been impressed by the playing surface: "It really plays a lot more like grass than what we're used so I'm quite positive about it. They water it heavily so the ball moves quickly and I'm not really concerned about it at all. There are still varying levels of these pitches but this is as good as I've seen and I'm quite encouraged by that."

The players are in the tunnel ready to make their way out for kickoff. The stadium is pretty full, and there's a decent atmosphere building the two sides make their way out ready for pre-match formalities.

So, the anthems have been played, the teams are shaking hands and the captains have spoken the the referee. Kickoff should just be a few moments away now.

KICKOFF! England get the match underway.

There's an early test for Jordan Pickford in the England goal as a long ball comes over the top towards Berisha, who sprints into the box in plenty of space, but the keeper is quickly off his line to deal with it. The visitors had had all the possession in the opening couple of minutes though, with Joe Gomez and Nathan Redmond both looking to get forward.

The hosts have a free kick in a promising position as Gomez collides with Zahid around 30 yards out. Selnaes curls it into the box, where it eventually drops to Zahid on the edge of the area, but there's some pushing and shoving in the box, so the referee gives England the free kick.

England have Norway scrambling at the back for the first time as Loftus-Cheek gets involved down the right flank, crossing it in towards Cauley Woodrow, but Grenner just gets his boot to it first to clear the danger for the hosts. Norway are quickly on the attack down the other end, but Iver Fossum hurries his shot, blasting it well wide of the target.

Martin Odegaard makes his first contribution of the game, attempting to weave his way through a packed penalty area, but Gomez does enough to turn it behind for a corner. That ball drops to Zahid as it's played back it, but his first touch isn't there and it's soon cleared. Norway are certainly creating the better of the chances in the early stages, but there hasn't been too much for Pickford to worry about so far.

Jordon Ibe shows off his flashy footwork in midfield as Liverpool teammate Gomez plays the ball out to the winger, leaving him to nutmeg Grogaard before attempting to sprint towards the Norway goal, but he's forced wide. Redmond soon has it on the opposite flank, but is forced to play it behind as the hosts get number back.

Nathan Redmond has looked really lively in the opening quarter of an hour in Norway, and he's on the move again, using his pace down the left before attempting to cut the ball back to Ibe, but Rossbach is on hand to claim the cross.

Hareldseid plays the ball down the right for Norway before looking to get a cross in towards Odegaard. It's forced behind for a corner, but that is quickly cleared, allowing England to break down the other end. The visitors have loads of space as the ball comes into the box, but Cauley Woodrow's effort is blocked as he tries to power the ball in from the edge of the area. Loftus-Cheeks wins it back, but Grogaard forces him to put it out for a throw-in.

CHANCE! Norway come within a couple of inches of opening the scoring as Grogaard whips in a sensational cross of a brilliant run down the left. Thorsby is waiting for it, but Dele Alli is back to help out in defence, and just beats him to the ball, turning it just wide of the left upright. It was so very nearly an own goal for the Tottenham man, but he gets away with it.

OFF THE BAR! Odegaard and Fossum try to work their way down the left as Norway continue to look for the opening goal. It's eventually pulled back to Zahid on the edge of the box, who side-steps around James Ward-Prowse before looking to curl it into the top right corner. It looks like he's beaten the stretching Pickford, but the woodwork comes to England's rescue.

Ibe and Grogaard get a handful of each other's shirts as they battle for possession out wide. Norway get the ball, but Woodrow steals it back moments later, forcing a corner for the visitors. James Ward-Prowse, who has been pretty quiet so far, delivers it into the box, but the ball misses all of his teammates, going straight out the other side.

Jordon Ibe's pace has made him a real handful on the right wing so far for the visitors, but all too often he's being left with no-one to cross the ball in to. He makes another run towards the Norway penalty area, this time cutting inside himself, but Grogaard goes with him and blocks his effort.

Norway are on the counter-attack straight away, trying to catch England out with a quick move, but Calum Chambers runs back to prevent Thorsby from getting his cross in. They come again moments later, with Berisha getting a long-ball forward, but his first touch allows Chambers to get to it again and make the clearance.

Norway continue to dominate possession with 10 minutes to go until half time, but England are starting to slow the home side down more, with Chambers and Dier commanding the back four. Berisha, Odegaard and Zahid pass the ball around in the middle looking for a way through, but England are too well-organised at the back.

Odegaard is battling to find a way through on the edge of the England box. He manages to clip it through in the direction of Haraldseid, but Dier turns it behind for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Jordan Pickford leaps up high to claim it. It's initially knocked out of his hands by Gronner, but the referee judges it to be a foul on the keeper, must to the displeasure of the Norway captain.

England are starting to see a little more of the ball in the final couple of minutes of this half. With Loftus-Cheek and Chambers playing it around the back, but options to get it forward seem scarce.

PENALTY TO ENGLAND!

GOAL! Norway Under-21s 0-1 England Under-21s (James Ward-Prowse)

From nowhere, England find themselves charging down the left, led by Nathan Redmond, who has been impressive throughout the first half. He bursts into the box, but a late challenge on the captain brings him down, earning Gronner a yellow card and giving away a spot kick. The defender argues that it was outside the box, but the officials aren't convinced. James Ward-Prowse puts the ball on the spot, and sends the keeper the wrong way as he thumps into into the bottom right. It's an excellent penalty from the new England captain.

HALF TIME: Norway Under-21s 0-1 England Under-21s

Norway just get time to take the kickoff before the referee blows his whistle. The hosts will be bitterly disappointed at the break, they dominated the first half, creating the majority of the chances and controlling the possession, but a costly error from captain Jonas Gronner cost them moments before the interval.

Ghayas Zahid had looked Norway's best chance of an early goal, coming closest for the hosts when he struck the crossbar midway through the first half. Martin Odegaard has also been lively, although hasn't had many chances himself self far. Norway will be confident that they can get back into this match given their promising display in the opening 45 minutes, but with a lead England have the possibility to be more defensive.

Norway have left their substitutes out at half time to warm up, which could suggest that the hosts are planning a change early in the second half. Just a couple of the England subs are still out.

The home side are the first to emerge from the dressing room, and look keen to get the second half underway, but England are keeping them waiting.

SUB! England are making a change, with Nathan Chalobah replacing Dele Alli.

RESTART! Norway get the second half underway!

England are clearly keen to add a second as Jordon Ibe plays the ball in for Redmond, but Gronner gets it clear. Ward-Prowse quickly delivers it back in, but Ibe is unable to get the shot away.

BOOKING! The goal-scorer, James Ward-Prowse, collides with Berisha in midfield, earning himself a booking. Both captains are now on a caution.

Norway are soon asking question in the England box as they look for the equaliser, with Haraldseid providing the cross for Thorsby, but the midfielder can't quite his head to it. Zahid collects it quickly and pulls it back for Fossum, who hits it first time for the edge of the box, but can only fire it over.

Both sides know that the second goal in this match could be crucial, so they've both made a really lively start to this second half. Ward-Prowse tries to add his second, rounding a couple of defenders before seeing his driven shot blocked. The hosts soon push down the other end, but Zahid can't squeeze it in from a tight angle, blasting it behind for a goal kick.

CHANCE! Jordan Pickford wasn't tested too often in the first half, but he's made a fantastic diving stop to deny Berisha after Odegaard found him with a through ball. The striker tried to slip it in at the near post, but Pickford got down quickly to turn it behind.

SUB! Norway make their first change, and it's Grogaard going off, with Birger Meling taking his place.

Norway continue to press for the equaliser, with Odegaard lobbing the ball forward looking for Berisha again, but Pickford is ready to clear it. That allows the visitors to make a quick counter-attack, leaving Woodrow sprinting into the penalty area, but Rossback gets to it first.

Fossum suddenly breaks into the box, taking a touch before attempting to fire the ball in low, but Gomez turns it behind for a corner. Zahid delivers it back into the box, with Gronner looking to make his presence felt, but Gomez does enough to get it out for another corner, and this time Pickford it able to punch it.

CHANCE! Norway had numbers forward for their corners, allowing England to make the most of the space at the back, with Redmond and Ibe both sprinting towards the Norway area on the counter. Ibe gets his shot away, but slices it just wide from the edge of the box.

CHANCE! Pickford pulls off another excellent save to keep England ahead. Fossum slots the ball forward to Berisha, who hammers it from just inside the box, but the keeper makes another diving stop to keep it out. So far, it's been an excellent competitive debut for Pickford.

CHANCE! The shots are coming thick and fast now as England are soon involved down the other end, with Woodrow rifling the ball in from the right-hand side of the box, but Rossbach spotted the danger and made the save.

SUB! Gareth Southgate makes his second change, sending on Jake Forster-Caskey in place of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who hasn't had the biggest impact this evening.

CHANCE! Pickford is really being tested at the moment as Norway continue to look to level the scores, this time with Thorsby trying his luck from distance, but it was straight at the England stopper.

CHANCE! It's yet another save from Pickford as Meling makes his first contribution since coming on a little earlier. Odegaard weaves his way through the centre of the pitch before picking out the substitute, but his low effort is parried clear by the keeper.

There seems to be a bit more intensity in Norway's attacking at the moment, and it's been picked up by the crowd, who are really getting behind the hosts, but they just can't find a way past Pickford at the moment.

BOOKING! Nathaniel Chalobah brings down Odegaard around 30 yards out, giving the hosts a free kick in a promising position, and earning himself a yellow card.

Selnaes curls the ball in from the resulting free kick, but Chambers is there to put it behind for a corner. Zahid takes it short, allowing Gronner to square it for Thorsby, but he can't get the slightest of touches needed to guide it past the keeper.

BOOKING! Martin Odegaard slides in late on Redmond to pick up a yellow card as well. He's the fourth player to go in the referee's book this evening.

SUB! Alexander Sorloth is coming on for Norway, replacing Morten Thorsby.

It's all getting rather scrappy at the minute as Ward-Prowse is looking to cross the ball in from the right, but tangles with Zahid, giving the free kick away. The England skipper needs to be careful as he's already been booked. England quickly win it back though, with Chalobah and Ibe making swift progress through midfield, but Norway have numbers back to deal with the threat.

CHANCE! England give away another free kick, this time with Woodrow catching Jenssen's heels. Berisha gets the shot away as Norway still seek what would now be a late equaliser, but the solid Pickford pulls off another decent save.

Haraldseid sees his cross in from the right turned behind for a corner, which Odegaard curls in for Sorloth, but it's straight at Pickford. The England keeper is certainly being kept busy in the closing stages of this match!

SUB! Norway make their final change as Zahid, who has been involved at both ends of the pitch throughout the match, makes way for Bersant Celina.

Sorloth hasn't been on the pitch long, but is clearly keen to have a late impact as he charges down the left, looking to make himself available for Odegaard, but the substitute finds himself flagged for offside before the Real Madrid man can pass to him.

BOOKING! Ole Selnaes picks up a late booking, seemingly for something he said to the referee.

Norway still have all the possession as the match heads into injury time, but England have everyone back as they try to cling on to their narrow lead. It was a goal just before the break that gave the visitors the lead, so they know it's not too late for their opponents to find the back of the net.

FULL TIME: Norway Under-21s 0-1 England Under-21s

So, James Ward-Prowse's first-half penalty is enough for England to make a winning start to their Under-21 Euro 2017 qualifying campaign in his first competitive match as captain. Norway certainly had more chances, and will feel disappointed not to have at least secured the draw.

That's all from this match, but stick around for coverage from this evening's Euro 2016 qualifiers, and join us again tomorrow when the senior England side will be in action against Switzerland. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.

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Head coach of England Gareth Southgate is seen before the international friendly match between U21 Czech Republic and U21 England at Letna Stadium on March 27, 2015
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