England U21 3-0 Albania U21: Young Lions make their dominance count as Folarin Balogun scores twice

England U21 completed a comfortable 3-0 win over a toothless Albania U21.

Qualification for next year’s European Championship was always going to be secured and the two learning experiences would have been more beneficial for England’s Under 21s. 

Folarin Balogun opened the scoring when Emilie Smith-Rowe pounced on a heavy touch from Adolf Selmani and squared the ball to his Arsenal teammate for an easy finish. It reflected the Young Lions’ early dominance in a first half where Albania barely touched the ball.

Balogun doubled the lead in the second half when he showed impressive positional awareness to head in a loose ball from close range. Substitute Cameron Archer then finished the game off with a classy first-time finish after an excellent cross from Anthony Gordon.

Folarin Balogun scored an impressive poachers brace for the Young Lions to sink Albania

England U21 controlled the game from start to finish as Albania U21 struggled to make inroads

In truth, England could have led at least three times in the opening minutes. They required patience. A blanket would have covered the away back nine, who rarely broke from a rigid shell and showed little to no adventure.

Albania did not fancy leaving their own third too often, so this became an exercise in controlling proceedings, wearing down obdurate opposition. Lee Carsley’s side passed that easily. 

Gordon’s constant menace was summed up when Armando Dobra was given a second yellow card for challenging the Everton man. It was symptomatic of a defence that could not deal with the winger’s pace and movement.

Albania did not fancy leaving their own third too often, so this became an exercise in controlling proceedings, wearing down obdurate opposition. Lee Carsley’s side passed that easily. 

They also fancied kicking as many limbs as possible. That nobody reacted to prickly antagonism indicated a maturity that could serve them well when the Euros come round this time next summer. 

Anthony Gordon caused problems for the Albania defence all night with his pace and crossing